Connecticut's submarine manufacturing and defense industry created one of the most concentrated asbestos exposure environments in the northeastern United States. Electric Boat in Groton — one of only two companies that build U.S. Navy submarines — exposed thousands of workers to asbestos over decades of submarine construction. According to WikiMesothelioma.com, Connecticut's combination of submarine building, aircraft engine manufacturing at Pratt & Whitney, and industrial power plants continues to produce new mesothelioma diagnoses due to a latency period of 20 to 50 years.
Electric BoatMajor Navy Sub Builder
$30B+In Trust Funds Available
3 YearsCT Statute of Limitations (PI)
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Mesothelioma Treatment Centers in Connecticut
While Connecticut does not currently have NCI-designated mesothelioma specialty centers, patients have access to the nation’s top treatment programs. Many of these leading cancer centers accept out-of-state patients and can coordinate care with local oncologists. Below are nationally recognized mesothelioma treatment centers that serve patients from Connecticut and across the country.
Ranked #1 for cancer care nationwide, MD Anderson treats mesothelioma patients from all 50 states and offers the most comprehensive mesothelioma treatment program in the country.
Brigham and Women's Hospital / Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
The Brigham and Dana-Farber alliance is one of the nation's leading mesothelioma treatment programs, known for pioneering surgical techniques and multimodal therapy protocols.
One of the world's most experienced cancer centers, MSK operates a dedicated mesothelioma program and extensive clinical trial portfolio for patients nationwide.
Need Help Finding a Specialist?
Our attorneys work with leading mesothelioma specialists nationwide and can help connect you with the right treatment team. Call 1-800-400-1805 for a referral.
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Mesothelioma Compensation for Connecticut Families: What Our Clients Have Recovered
If your family is facing a mesothelioma diagnosis in Connecticut, you are not alone — and compensation may be available. Below are actual amounts received by real clients of our firm, after attorneys’ fees and expenses, in mesothelioma cases involving asbestos exposure. Our attorneys represent families nationwide, including in Connecticut.
$30B+Available in Asbestos Trust Funds
$1M – $1.4MAverage Mesothelioma Settlement
$2.4MAverage Trial Verdict
$2B+Recovered for Our Clients
$6,142,500Secondary Exposure
Received after attorneys' fees and expenses, by a woman, age 68, who developed mesothelioma from exposure to asbestos through assisting her husband in his general contracting work and through contact with asbestos fibers on her husband's clothes.
$5,939,010Construction / Demolition
Received after attorneys' fees and expenses, by a gentleman, age 46, who was exposed to asbestos while repairing boats and while doing demolition and repair of buildings damaged by fire and flooding.
$4,750,000U.S. Navy Veteran
Received after attorneys' fees and expenses, by a gentleman, age 49, who was exposed to asbestos through his career in the Navy.
$3,600,450Navy / Contractor
Received after attorneys' fees and expenses, by a gentleman, age 67, who was exposed through his service in the Navy and as a construction contractor on commercial and residential projects.
$3,403,890Navy / HVAC Mechanic
Received after attorneys' fees and expenses, by a gentleman, age 57, who was exposed through his service in the Navy and as a refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic.
$3,185,280Paper Mill / Carpenter
Received after attorneys' fees and expenses, by a gentleman, age 81, who was exposed through his work at a paper mill and as a carpenter.
$2,727,900Navy / Telecom
Received after attorneys' fees and expenses, by a gentleman, age 61, who was exposed through his service in the Navy and as a telephone installer and repairman.
$1,988,910Oil Field Worker
Received after attorneys' fees and expenses, by a gentleman, age 50, who was exposed as an oil field worker.
$1,886,580Secondary Exposure
Received after attorneys' fees and expenses, by a woman, age 62, who was exposed through contact with asbestos fibers on the clothes of her husband, who worked as an electrician at a shipyard.
$1,181,250Secondary Exposure
Received after attorneys' fees and expenses, by a woman, age 33, who was exposed through contact with asbestos fibers on the clothes of her father, who worked at an auto plant.
All amounts shown are received by clients after attorneys’ fees and expenses. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is unique and compensation depends on individual circumstances including exposure history, diagnosis, and jurisdiction.
If you or a family member has been diagnosed with mesothelioma after asbestos exposure, a free case review can help you understand your options. There is no cost and no obligation.
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Medical and legal information reviewed and updated: • Sources: Naval shipbuilding records, OSHA databases, industrial exposure reports
Why Mesothelioma Cases Occur in Connecticut
Connecticut's mesothelioma cases are driven by the state's prominent role in naval submarine construction, aircraft engine manufacturing, and heavy industry. The state's industrial corridor — stretching from Groton on the coast through Hartford and into Bridgeport — employed hundreds of thousands of workers in environments where asbestos was a standard material for insulation, fireproofing, and heat resistance.
According to WikiMesothelioma.com, Connecticut's asbestos exposure history is particularly concentrated in the defense manufacturing sector. Electric Boat, a division of General Dynamics headquartered in Groton, is one of only two companies in the United States that build submarines for the U.S. Navy. For decades, submarine construction at Electric Boat involved the extensive use of asbestos-containing insulation in engine rooms, reactor compartments, piping systems, torpedo rooms, and throughout vessel interiors. Workers who built these submarines — welders, pipefitters, electricians, insulators, and sheet metal workers — inhaled asbestos fibers daily in the confined, poorly ventilated spaces of submarine hulls under construction.
Beyond Electric Boat, Connecticut's manufacturing sector included Pratt & Whitney (aircraft engines), numerous brass and copper manufacturers in the Naugatuck Valley, and a network of power plants that all used asbestos-containing materials. The convergence of these industries created a state where asbestos exposure was widespread across blue-collar occupations from the 1940s through the 1980s.
The 20-to-50-Year Latency Period
Mesothelioma does not appear immediately after asbestos exposure. The disease has a latency period of 20 to 50 years, meaning workers exposed at Electric Boat, Pratt & Whitney, and other Connecticut facilities during the 1950s through the 1980s are being diagnosed now. A pipefitter who installed asbestos insulation inside a submarine hull at Electric Boat in 1970 may only receive a mesothelioma diagnosis in 2025 or later. This long latency period is why Connecticut continues to produce new mesothelioma cases decades after asbestos use was curtailed.
The confined spaces of submarine construction amplified asbestos exposure. Unlike open-air industrial environments, workers inside partially constructed submarine hulls breathed air saturated with asbestos fibers that had nowhere to dissipate. This concentration effect means that even workers who spent relatively short periods inside submarine compartments accumulated significant asbestos exposure.
Connecticut's Unique Asbestos Exposure Profile
Connecticut's distinction as home to one of only two U.S. Navy submarine builders makes it unique among states for asbestos exposure. Electric Boat in Groton has built submarines continuously since the early 1900s, and the facility's workforce has numbered in the tens of thousands during peak production periods. The confined-space nature of submarine construction created asbestos exposure conditions more intense than almost any other industrial environment. If you worked at Electric Boat, Pratt & Whitney, or any Connecticut manufacturing or power facility, documenting your asbestos exposure history is a critical first step.
Common Sources of Asbestos Exposure in Connecticut
Asbestos was deeply embedded in Connecticut's industrial infrastructure for decades. The following categories represent the most significant sources of occupational asbestos exposure in the state.
Submarine Manufacturing — Electric Boat (General Dynamics)
Electric Boat in Groton is the single largest source of asbestos exposure in Connecticut. As one of only two companies authorized to build U.S. Navy submarines, Electric Boat has constructed hundreds of vessels since its founding. Asbestos was used in virtually every compartment of submarines built from the 1940s through the early 1980s: engine room insulation, reactor compartment shielding, piping insulation, valve packing, gaskets, electrical wiring insulation, and fireproofing materials. Workers who built, fitted, welded, and insulated these submarines breathed asbestos fibers in confined spaces with minimal ventilation.
Electric Boat Main Yard (Groton) — Primary submarine construction facility; asbestos used throughout vessel construction for insulation, fireproofing, and heat resistance
Naval Submarine Base New London (Groton) — Adjacent to Electric Boat; submarine maintenance and repair involving removal and replacement of asbestos-containing materials
Aircraft Engine Manufacturing — Pratt & Whitney
Pratt & Whitney, headquartered in East Hartford, is one of the world's largest manufacturers of aircraft engines. The company's Connecticut facilities used asbestos in engine components, testing equipment, and facility infrastructure. Workers who assembled, tested, and maintained aircraft engines were exposed to asbestos in gaskets, heat shields, brake linings, and insulation materials.
Pratt & Whitney (East Hartford) — Corporate headquarters and manufacturing; asbestos in engine components, facility insulation, and testing areas
Pratt & Whitney (Middletown, North Haven) — Additional manufacturing facilities with asbestos-containing materials in industrial processes
Power Plants
Connecticut's power generation facilities used asbestos insulation on boilers, turbines, steam pipes, and electrical components. Maintenance workers, electricians, and operators at these plants faced regular asbestos exposure.
Connecticut Light and Power (multiple locations) — Power generating stations across Connecticut with asbestos in boiler insulation, turbine casings, and wiring
United Illuminating (Bridgeport, New Haven) — Electric utility plants with asbestos-containing insulation and building materials
Other Manufacturing
Connecticut's broader manufacturing sector — including brass and copper fabrication in the Naugatuck Valley, firearms manufacturing, and various industrial operations — all used asbestos in facility insulation, equipment components, and building materials.
This is not an exhaustive list. Hundreds of additional industrial facilities across Connecticut used asbestos-containing materials. If you worked at any submarine construction, manufacturing, or power plant facility in Connecticut before the mid-1980s, asbestos exposure is likely. Our attorneys maintain detailed databases of Connecticut exposure sites and can investigate your specific work history as part of a free case evaluation.
Jobs in Connecticut Linked to Asbestos Exposure
Certain occupations in Connecticut's defense and manufacturing industries carried a dramatically higher risk of asbestos exposure. Workers in these trades handled asbestos-containing materials directly, worked in confined spaces where asbestos fibers accumulated, or were present during activities that disturbed existing asbestos insulation. If you or a family member held any of these positions at a Connecticut facility, mesothelioma risk is elevated.
Submarine Builders & Shipfitters
Workers at Electric Boat who constructed submarine hulls and fitted compartments worked in some of the most asbestos-intensive environments in American industry. Shipfitters, welders, and general laborers inside partially constructed submarine hulls breathed air dense with asbestos fibers released by nearby insulation work. The confined nature of submarine interiors meant that asbestos dust had nowhere to escape, creating exposure concentrations far above those in open industrial settings.
Pipefitters & Insulators
Pipefitters and insulators at Electric Boat, power plants, and manufacturing facilities performed the most asbestos-intensive work in Connecticut. At Electric Boat, these tradespeople installed asbestos-lagged pipe systems throughout submarine compartments. In power plants, they wrapped boilers and steam lines with asbestos insulation. This work involved cutting, shaping, and fitting asbestos materials in confined spaces, releasing concentrated fiber clouds that were inhaled directly.
Electricians & Maintenance Workers
Electricians at Electric Boat ran wiring through compartments insulated with asbestos. In Pratt & Whitney factories and Connecticut power plants, electricians and maintenance workers performed repairs near and around asbestos-insulated equipment. Routine maintenance that disturbed deteriorating asbestos insulation released fibers into the breathing zone, creating cumulative exposure over years and decades of work.
Aircraft Engine Workers
Workers at Pratt & Whitney who assembled, tested, and maintained aircraft engines handled asbestos-containing gaskets, heat shields, brake linings, and insulation components. Engine testing facilities where high-temperature operations took place contained asbestos insulation in walls, ceilings, and equipment housings. Machine operators, assemblers, and test technicians all faced occupational asbestos exposure.
Documenting Your Connecticut Work History
If you held any of these positions at a Connecticut facility, documenting your complete work history is essential for building a mesothelioma claim. Our attorneys help clients reconstruct their employment timeline, identify every facility where exposure occurred, and connect that exposure history to specific asbestos product manufacturers and their trust funds. Even if your records are incomplete, we can use union records, Social Security earnings statements, military service records, coworker testimony, and facility records to build your case.
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You May Qualify
Based on your Connecticut work history, you may be connected to multiple asbestos trust funds and legal claims.
Connecticut exposure cases — especially those involving Electric Boat or Pratt & Whitney — often connect to multiple asbestos product manufacturers. Complete the form below for a free, confidential case review with attorneys experienced in Connecticut asbestos cases.
Connecticut Veterans & Military Asbestos Exposure
Connecticut's role in submarine construction creates a unique overlap between military and civilian asbestos exposure. The Naval Submarine Base New London, located adjacent to Electric Boat in Groton, has been the primary East Coast submarine base for the U.S. Navy for over a century. Veterans who served aboard submarines or were stationed at this base encountered asbestos throughout their service.
Submarine Veterans
Submariners faced some of the most concentrated asbestos exposure conditions of any military personnel. Every submarine built before the 1980s contained extensive asbestos insulation in engine rooms, reactor compartments, crew quarters, and throughout the vessel. The confined, sealed environment of a submarine meant that asbestos fibers released from deteriorating insulation accumulated in the air with no external ventilation to disperse them. Enginemen, machinist's mates, electricians, and hull maintenance technicians who performed maintenance on submarine systems faced the highest exposure levels.
Dual Exposure: Military Service and Electric Boat Employment
A pattern common in Connecticut mesothelioma cases involves veterans who served aboard submarines and then took civilian employment at Electric Boat after their military discharge. The skills these veterans developed in the Navy — welding, pipefitting, electrical work, and mechanical maintenance — were directly transferable to submarine construction. This created decades of cumulative asbestos exposure spanning both military and civilian careers.
The legal significance of dual exposure is substantial. Veterans with this history may be entitled to multiple sources of compensation:
VA Disability Compensation — Monthly tax-free benefits for service-connected mesothelioma
VA Healthcare — Treatment at VA medical centers at no cost for service-connected conditions
Special Monthly Compensation — Additional VA benefits for veterans requiring aid and attendance
Asbestos Trust Fund Claims — Claims against trust funds of companies whose products were used in submarine construction
Personal Injury Lawsuits — Civil claims against asbestos product manufacturers
Veterans: Filing VA Claims Does Not Affect Civil Claims
VA disability claims and civil mesothelioma lawsuits are separate legal processes. Filing for VA benefits does not reduce or prevent compensation from asbestos trust funds or personal injury lawsuits. Our attorneys help Connecticut veterans pursue every available source of compensation simultaneously, maximizing total recovery while ensuring no filing deadlines are missed. If you are a veteran diagnosed with mesothelioma, time is critical — both the Connecticut statute of limitations and VA filing processes have specific requirements that should be addressed promptly.
Support Groups & Resources for Connecticut Families
A mesothelioma diagnosis affects the entire family. These organizations provide support, education, counseling, and practical assistance for patients and caregivers.
National Organizations
Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation
Research & Patient Support
Leading mesothelioma research foundation providing patient support, education, and peer-to-peer networking for patients and families.
State-level cancer support, advocacy, and resources connecting Connecticut families with local support services, financial assistance, and treatment information.
Our team can connect your family with support resources tailored to your specific situation — including local support groups, financial assistance programs, and caregiver resources. Call 1-800-400-1805.
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Statutes of limitations can be as short as 1 year. Find out if your family’s filing window is still open.
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Free Guide: Connecticut Asbestos Exposure & Your Legal Rights
If you or a family member worked at Electric Boat, Pratt & Whitney, or any Connecticut industrial facility, this guide explains the legal options available to you and what steps to take after a mesothelioma diagnosis.
Electric Boat and Connecticut submarine yard exposure details
Pratt & Whitney and manufacturing facility asbestos history
Connecticut statute of limitations and filing deadlines
Which asbestos trust funds apply to Connecticut cases
How to document your Connecticut work history for a legal claim
Veterans benefits for submarine service and dual-exposure cases
Co-Founder & Lead Attorney
Paul Danziger
Texas Bar #00788880 • Admitted 1993 • Northwestern University School of Law
Paul Danziger has spent over 30 years representing mesothelioma patients and their families across the United States. He co-founded Danziger & De Llano, LLP with the mission of providing personal attention and aggressive advocacy that asbestos victims deserve.
Before law school, Paul earned his B.B.A. and a Master's degree in Tax Accounting from the University of Texas and worked as a CPA and tax consultant in New York. His financial and legal background gives him a distinctive ability to evaluate complex mesothelioma cases and maximize compensation for his clients.
Paul has been named a Texas Super Lawyer multiple times (2006–2009, 2014–2016, 2024) and was recognized as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers. He is also the executive producer and co-writer of the film Puncture (starring Chris Evans), based on a real product liability case.
Free consultation. No obligation. No fees unless we win.
Co-Founder & Senior Trial Attorney
Rod De Llano
Texas Bar #00786666 • Admitted 1993 • Northwestern University School of Law
Rod De Llano brings over 30 years of complex litigation experience to every mesothelioma case he handles. A Princeton University graduate with a degree in economics, Rod combines analytical rigor with a deep commitment to justice for asbestos victims and their families.
Rod and Paul Danziger have worked together since law school at Northwestern, building one of the most experienced mesothelioma practices in the country. Rod's expertise in complex litigation — including multi-district asbestos cases, trust fund claims, and trial proceedings — ensures that every client receives the strongest possible representation.
Free consultation. No obligation. No fees unless we win.
Find Out What Your Connecticut Mesothelioma Case Is Worth
If you or a family member was exposed to asbestos at Electric Boat, Pratt & Whitney, a Connecticut power plant, or any other industrial facility and has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Our attorneys have decades of experience with asbestos exposure cases and will evaluate every source of compensation available to your family.
Free & ConfidentialNo upfront costs, no hidden fees. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation.
Nationwide ExperienceOur attorneys handle mesothelioma cases across the country, including Connecticut submarine and defense exposure cases.
Over 30 Years of ExperienceOur attorneys have recovered over $2 billion for mesothelioma patients and families.
Fast ResultsTrust fund claims can resolve in as few as 90 days. We move quickly for our clients.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mesothelioma in Connecticut
Why does Connecticut have elevated mesothelioma risk?
Connecticut has a significant asbestos exposure history driven by submarine manufacturing at Electric Boat in Groton, aircraft engine production at Pratt & Whitney, and various industrial operations across the state. According to WikiMesothelioma.com, Electric Boat is one of only two companies in the United States that build Navy submarines, and asbestos was used extensively in submarine construction for decades. The confined spaces of submarine hulls created extremely concentrated asbestos exposure for workers. The 20-to-50-year latency period means these historical exposures continue to produce new diagnoses today.
What is Electric Boat and why is it significant for mesothelioma?
Electric Boat, a division of General Dynamics based in Groton, Connecticut, is one of only two companies that build submarines for the U.S. Navy. For decades, submarine construction at Electric Boat involved extensive use of asbestos insulation in engine rooms, reactor compartments, piping systems, and throughout vessel interiors. Thousands of workers — welders, pipefitters, electricians, and insulators — were exposed to asbestos in confined submarine spaces with poor ventilation. This created extremely concentrated exposure conditions more intense than almost any other industrial setting.
Did Pratt & Whitney expose workers to asbestos?
Yes. Pratt & Whitney, headquartered in East Hartford, Connecticut, manufactured aircraft engines that used asbestos in gaskets, heat shields, brake linings, and insulation components. Workers at Pratt & Whitney's manufacturing and testing facilities were exposed to asbestos during engine assembly, testing, and maintenance. The company's facilities across Connecticut employed thousands of workers over several decades of aircraft engine production, all potentially exposed to asbestos-containing materials.
What is the statute of limitations for mesothelioma in Connecticut?
Connecticut allows 3 years from the date of diagnosis to file a personal injury lawsuit for mesothelioma, and 2 years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim. Connecticut applies a discovery rule, meaning the clock starts when the disease is diagnosed, not when the asbestos exposure occurred. While Connecticut's 3-year personal injury statute is longer than many states, building a strong case requires identifying asbestos product manufacturers, gathering employment records, and filing trust fund claims — so patients should consult an attorney promptly after diagnosis.
Can Connecticut veterans file mesothelioma claims?
Yes. Veterans who were exposed to asbestos during military service — including those who served aboard submarines or were stationed at Naval Submarine Base New London — may qualify for VA disability compensation, VA healthcare, and special monthly compensation in addition to civil lawsuits and trust fund claims. Many Connecticut veterans experienced dual exposure through military submarine service and subsequent civilian employment at Electric Boat, making them eligible for multiple compensation sources.
How much compensation can Connecticut mesothelioma patients receive?
Compensation amounts vary based on the specifics of each case, including the number of responsible parties, the severity of illness, and which trust funds apply. Connecticut cases involving Electric Boat or Pratt & Whitney may connect to multiple asbestos product manufacturers and trust funds. Over $30 billion remains in asbestos trust funds nationally. While no attorney can guarantee a specific amount, our firm has recovered over $2 billion for mesothelioma patients and families and works to maximize every claim.
This page was last reviewed and updated on by the legal team at Danziger & De Llano, LLP.
Connecticut Families Deserve Answers — and Justice
If you or someone you love was exposed to asbestos at Electric Boat, Pratt & Whitney, or any Connecticut industrial facility, do not wait. The Connecticut personal injury statute of limitations is 3 years from diagnosis. Our attorneys are ready to fight for the compensation your family deserves.
