Mesothelioma & Asbestos Exposure in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Why Mesothelioma Cases Occur in Philadelphia

Philadelphia has one of the most concentrated histories of industrial asbestos exposure in the United States. For more than two centuries, the city's economy was built on shipbuilding, railroad manufacturing, and heavy industry — all sectors that relied extensively on asbestos-containing materials. Today, decades after that exposure occurred, Philadelphia families continue to face mesothelioma diagnoses linked to the city's industrial past.

The Philadelphia Naval Shipyard (1776–1996)

According to WikiMesothelioma.com, the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard was one of the largest naval shipyards in the United States, operating for over 200 years. Established in 1776 as the nation's first naval shipyard, the facility built and repaired hundreds of warships and commercial vessels across every major American conflict from the Revolutionary War through the Cold War.

Asbestos was used extensively throughout the shipyard in pipe insulation, boiler lagging, turbine insulation, gaskets, deck tiles, and fireproofing materials. Workers who built, overhauled, and repaired ships at the yard breathed in asbestos dust daily, often in confined below-deck spaces with minimal ventilation. The shipyard closed in 1996, but the consequences of that exposure continue to emerge as workers and their families are diagnosed with mesothelioma 20 to 50 years later.

Railroad Industry

Philadelphia was a national railroad hub throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Baldwin Locomotive Works, headquartered in Philadelphia, was the world's largest manufacturer of steam locomotives and used asbestos insulation in boilers, steam pipes, and brake systems. The Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) operated major maintenance shops in the Philadelphia area where workers performed overhauls on locomotives and rail cars insulated with asbestos materials. Railroad workers, mechanics, and shop laborers were routinely exposed to asbestos fibers during disassembly, repair, and reassembly of rolling stock.

Power Generation and Manufacturing

Philadelphia's power plants and manufacturing facilities also contributed to the city's asbestos exposure burden. PECO Energy (formerly Philadelphia Electric Company) operated coal-fired and nuclear power stations throughout southeastern Pennsylvania. These facilities used asbestos insulation on boilers, steam lines, turbines, and electrical components. Factory workers, maintenance crews, and construction tradespeople who worked in Philadelphia's industrial buildings encountered asbestos in building materials, machinery insulation, and thermal protection systems.

Jobs in Philadelphia Linked to Asbestos Exposure

Certain occupations in the Philadelphia area carried significantly higher risks of asbestos exposure due to the nature of the work and the materials involved. If you or a family member held any of the following positions at a Philadelphia facility, there may be a direct connection to a mesothelioma diagnosis.

• Shipyard workers and welders — Worked in confined spaces aboard ships at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, Sun Shipbuilding, and Cramp Shipbuilding, often cutting, fitting, and welding materials adjacent to asbestos insulation
• Boilermakers — Installed and maintained boilers insulated with asbestos lagging at shipyards, power plants, and industrial facilities across Philadelphia
• Pipefitters and plumbers — Cut, threaded, and installed pipes covered with asbestos insulation throughout ships, power plants, and commercial buildings
• Railroad workers — Maintained and repaired locomotives and rail cars at Baldwin Locomotive Works and PRR maintenance shops, handling asbestos-insulated components
• Electricians — Worked alongside insulators in shipyards and power plants, exposed to asbestos dust while running wiring through insulated spaces at PECO and Philadelphia Electric facilities
• Insulators — Directly handled, cut, and installed asbestos insulation materials in ships, buildings, and industrial equipment, facing the highest concentration of fiber exposure
• Mechanics and maintenance workers — Performed routine upkeep on machinery, boilers, and industrial equipment that contained asbestos gaskets, brake linings, and packing materials

Philadelphia Veterans & Naval Shipyard Asbestos Exposure

The Philadelphia Naval Shipyard has a direct connection to veteran mesothelioma cases that spans more than two centuries. From its founding in 1776 through its closure in 1996, the shipyard built and repaired hundreds of Navy vessels, including battleships, aircraft carriers, destroyers, and submarines. Every one of these ships contained extensive asbestos insulation, and every sailor, Marine, and civilian worker who served aboard or worked on these vessels was potentially exposed.

How Naval Shipyard Veterans Were Exposed

• Ship construction — Workers installed asbestos insulation around boilers, steam pipes, turbines, and bulkheads during the construction of new vessels
• Ship repair and overhaul — Removing old insulation and replacing it with new materials generated concentrated asbestos dust in confined shipboard spaces
• Active service aboard ships — Navy sailors and Marines who served on vessels built or repaired at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard were exposed to deteriorating asbestos insulation throughout their service
• Decommissioning — Workers who decommissioned aging vessels stripped asbestos-containing materials from ships at the end of their service life

VA Benefits and Legal Claims for Philadelphia Veterans

Veterans exposed to asbestos at or through the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard may be eligible for multiple forms of compensation that can be pursued simultaneously:

• VA disability benefits — Monthly payments based on the severity of your mesothelioma diagnosis, with no requirement to prove fault
• VA healthcare — Access to specialized mesothelioma treatment through the VA medical system
• Asbestos trust fund claims — Payments from the bankruptcy trusts of asbestos manufacturers whose products were used at the shipyard
• Personal injury or wrongful death lawsuits — Legal claims against the companies that manufactured, supplied, or installed asbestos products used at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard

Steps Philadelphia Families Can Take After Diagnosis

A mesothelioma diagnosis is overwhelming, but taking the right steps early can protect your legal rights and maximize the compensation available to your family. Pennsylvania's 2-year statute of limitations means time is a factor, and beginning the legal process promptly gives your attorneys the most time to build the strongest possible case.

1. Seek specialized medical care immediately — Mesothelioma requires treatment from oncologists experienced with this specific cancer. Philadelphia is home to major cancer centers that offer the latest treatment options including surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and clinical trials
2. Document your work and exposure history — Write down every job you held, every facility where you worked, the years of employment, and any co-workers who can verify your presence. For Philadelphia shipyard workers and railroad employees, this documentation is critical for identifying responsible companies and applicable trust funds
3. Preserve employment records — Gather W-2 forms, union cards, pension records, Social Security earnings statements, military service records, and any other documents that verify your employment at Philadelphia-area facilities
4. Contact an experienced mesothelioma attorney — A free case evaluation will identify every potential source of compensation, including trust fund claims, lawsuits, and veteran benefits. The attorney should have specific knowledge of Philadelphia exposure sites and the companies that operated there
5. File VA claims if you are a veteran — Veterans exposed at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard should initiate VA disability claims as soon as possible while also pursuing civilian legal options
6. Do not delay — Pennsylvania allows just 2 years from diagnosis to file a personal injury claim and 2 years from the date of death for wrongful death claims. Starting early ensures no deadlines are missed and gives your legal team time to identify all responsible parties