Charleston Naval Shipyard was a major Atlantic Fleet ship repair and overhaul facility that operated for nearly a century. The shipyard's long history of work on destroyers, cruisers, and submarines exposed generations of civilian workers and Navy personnel to asbestos, and it remains a source of significant mesothelioma litigation in the Southeast.
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Asbestos History at Charleston Naval Shipyard
Charleston Naval Shipyard was a major Atlantic Fleet ship repair and overhaul facility that operated for nearly a century. The shipyard's long history of work on destroyers, cruisers, and submarines exposed generations of civilian workers and Navy personnel to asbestos, and it remains a source of significant mesothelioma litigation in the Southeast.
Key Facts
Charleston Naval Shipyard was established in 1901 and operated until its closure in 1996 as part of the Base Realignment and Closure process.
During World War II, the shipyard employed approximately 26,000 workers and specialized in destroyer escort construction and repair.
Over its 95 years of operation, Charleston serviced hundreds of U.S. Navy vessels of all classes.
The shipyard's work on older vessels built before 1975 regularly required workers to remove and replace heavily friable asbestos insulation.
Former shipyard workers and their families in the Charleston area have been among the most active plaintiffs in South Carolina asbestos litigation.
Where Asbestos Was Found at Charleston Naval Shipyard
Asbestos was integrated into the infrastructure of virtually every military installation built before 1980. At Charleston Naval Shipyard, documented asbestos-containing materials were found in:
Destroyer and cruiser engine rooms
Submarine overhaul spaces
Boiler rooms and steam systems
Pipe insulation throughout vessel classes
Dry dock facilities
Shipyard warehouse and maintenance buildings
Workers and service members in these areas faced chronic low-level exposure over the course of months or years. Because mesothelioma has a latency period of 20 to 50 years, many veterans who served decades ago are only receiving diagnoses today.
Affected Occupations at Charleston Naval Shipyard
Certain occupational roles at Charleston Naval Shipyard carried significantly higher asbestos exposure risk due to direct contact with insulation, gaskets, pipe systems, and other asbestos-containing materials:
👷Pipefitters
👷Boilermakers
👷Insulators
👷Electricians
👷Shipfitters
👷Welders
👷Machinists
👷Painters
Even workers who did not directly handle asbestos — such as supervisors, inspectors, or administrative personnel who spent time in affected areas — may have experienced bystander exposure sufficient to cause mesothelioma decades later.
Asbestos Trust Funds for Charleston Naval Shipyard Veterans
The companies that manufactured and supplied asbestos-containing materials used at Charleston Naval Shipyard have established bankruptcy trust funds totaling over $30 billion to compensate victims. Veterans and workers exposed at this installation may be eligible to file claims against multiple trusts:
Johns-Manville
Owens Corning
W.R. Grace
Armstrong World Industries
Combustion Engineering
Pittsburgh Corning
Trust fund claims are separate from VA benefits — you can pursue both simultaneously. Most trust fund claims are resolved within 12 to 18 months. Our attorneys handle the entire process with no upfront cost.
VA Benefits for Charleston Naval Shipyard Veterans
Navy veterans — particularly those who worked in ship engine rooms, boiler rooms, and aboard vessels repaired at this shipyard — faced the heaviest asbestos exposure in the entire U.S. military.
VA Disability & Healthcare Benefits
100% VA Disability Rating — Mesothelioma automatically qualifies for the maximum VA disability rating, providing monthly compensation of $3,737+ for a single veteran (2026 rates).
VA Healthcare — Full access to VA oncology centers, including specialized mesothelioma care at VA cancer centers.
Aid & Attendance — Additional monthly compensation for veterans who need help with daily activities due to illness.
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) — Monthly payments to surviving spouses and dependent children of veterans who died from service-connected asbestos diseases.
Vocational Rehabilitation — Job training and career services for veterans whose condition affects their ability to work.
Your Legal Rights as a Charleston Naval Shipyard Veteran
Veterans with mesothelioma or asbestos-related lung cancer have the right to file civil lawsuits against the manufacturers of asbestos products used at their base — separate from and in addition to VA claims. These lawsuits are filed against the asbestos companies, not the military, and do not affect your VA benefits.
Statute of Limitations — Act Before Your Deadline
Every state imposes a filing deadline — called the statute of limitations — for mesothelioma claims. In most states, you have 2 to 3 years from the date of diagnosis to file. Missing this deadline permanently bars your right to compensation.
Our attorneys have worked with veterans from Charleston Naval Shipyard and dozens of other military installations. We understand the unique exposure history, documentation requirements, and combination of VA + civil litigation strategies that maximize compensation for veterans and their families. No fees unless we win.
Free Case Review for Charleston Naval Shipyard Veterans
If you or a family member served at Charleston Naval Shipyard and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or asbestos-related lung cancer, contact us today. Our attorneys are available 24/7 and will review your case at no cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was there asbestos at Charleston Naval Shipyard?
Yes. Charleston Naval Shipyard (Charleston, South Carolina) has documented asbestos exposure from 1901–1996. Asbestos was used in Destroyer and cruiser engine rooms, Submarine overhaul spaces, Boiler rooms and steam systems, and other areas throughout the installation. Asbestos-related diseases linked to this base include mesothelioma and lung cancer.
Can Navy veterans from Charleston Naval Shipyard get compensation?
Yes. Veterans who served at Charleston Naval Shipyard and were later diagnosed with mesothelioma or asbestos-related lung cancer may qualify for compensation from asbestos trust funds including Johns-Manville, Owens Corning, W.R. Grace. Personal injury lawsuits against asbestos manufacturers are also available. Our firm works on contingency — no fees unless we win.
What VA benefits are available for Charleston Naval Shipyard veterans?
Veterans who served at Charleston Naval Shipyard and developed asbestos-related diseases may qualify for VA disability compensation at up to 100% disability rating, VA healthcare including specialized oncology treatment, Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) for severe disability, and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) for surviving family members.
Can family members of Charleston Naval Shipyard workers file claims?
Yes. Family members who were exposed to asbestos brought home on work clothing (called secondary or take-home exposure) and later developed mesothelioma may file their own compensation claims. Spouses who washed work uniforms and children who were regularly near an exposed worker face documented secondary exposure risk. Courts in all 50 states recognize these claims.
Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Reading this page does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and Danziger & De Llano, LLP. Every case is unique; outcomes depend on individual facts and circumstances. Statute of limitations deadlines vary by state. Contact an attorney to discuss the specific facts of your situation.
