Asbestos Exposure at Naval Submarine Base New London / Electric Boat
Naval Submarine Base New London is the U.S. Navy's primary submarine base on the East Coast, located adjacent to Electric Boat — the nation's foremost submarine builder. Workers at both facilities were heavily exposed to asbestos through submarine construction and overhaul, with particularly high exposures in the confined, unventilated spaces unique to submarine design.
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Medical and legal information reviewed and updated: • Sources: VA records, EPA Superfund data, NIOSH studies, litigation history
Asbestos History at Naval Submarine Base New London / Electric Boat
Naval Submarine Base New London is the U.S. Navy's primary submarine base on the East Coast, located adjacent to Electric Boat — the nation's foremost submarine builder. Workers at both facilities were heavily exposed to asbestos through submarine construction and overhaul, with particularly high exposures in the confined, unventilated spaces unique to submarine design.
Key Facts
Naval Submarine Base New London has been the home of the U.S. submarine force since 1916 and is the largest submarine base in the world.
Electric Boat, located adjacent to the base, has been the primary builder of U.S. nuclear submarines since the USS Nautilus in 1954.
At its World War II and Cold War peaks, Electric Boat employed over 25,000 workers in submarine construction.
Submarines present unique asbestos hazards because of their confined spaces and complex pipe and thermal insulation systems running throughout the vessel.
Connecticut mesothelioma litigation has been heavily influenced by claims from Groton-area shipyard and submarine base workers.
Where Asbestos Was Found at Naval Submarine Base New London / Electric Boat
Asbestos was integrated into the infrastructure of virtually every military installation built before 1980. At Naval Submarine Base New London / Electric Boat, documented asbestos-containing materials were found in:
Submarine nuclear reactor compartments
Engine rooms and machinery spaces
Torpedo rooms
Pipe insulation throughout all submarine classes
Crew berthing and auxiliary spaces
Shore-based maintenance and overhaul shops
Submarine tender vessel spaces
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 Naval Submarine Base New London / Electric Boat
Certain occupational roles at Naval Submarine Base New London / Electric Boat carried significantly higher asbestos exposure risk due to direct contact with insulation, gaskets, pipe systems, and other asbestos-containing materials:
👷Submarine builders
👷Nuclear reactor technicians
👷Pipefitters
👷Insulators
👷Electricians
👷Boilermakers
👷Machinists
👷Submarine crew members
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 Naval Submarine Base New London / Electric Boat Veterans
The companies that manufactured and supplied asbestos-containing materials used at Naval Submarine Base New London / Electric Boat 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
Babcock & Wilcox
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 Naval Submarine Base New London / Electric Boat 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 Naval Submarine Base New London / Electric Boat 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 Naval Submarine Base New London / Electric Boat 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 Naval Submarine Base New London / Electric Boat Veterans
If you or a family member served at Naval Submarine Base New London / Electric Boat 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 Naval Submarine Base New London / Electric Boat?
Yes. Naval Submarine Base New London / Electric Boat (Groton, Connecticut) has documented asbestos exposure from 1868–present. Asbestos was used in Submarine nuclear reactor compartments, Engine rooms and machinery spaces, Torpedo rooms, and other areas throughout the installation. Asbestos-related diseases linked to this base include mesothelioma and lung cancer.
Can Navy veterans from Naval Submarine Base New London / Electric Boat get compensation?
Yes. Veterans who served at Naval Submarine Base New London / Electric Boat 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 Naval Submarine Base New London / Electric Boat veterans?
Veterans who served at Naval Submarine Base New London / Electric Boat 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 Naval Submarine Base New London / Electric Boat 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.
