Long Beach Naval Shipyard was a primary West Coast facility for overhaul and repair of aircraft carriers, battleships, and cruisers. The shipyard was home to intensive work on some of the most asbestos-laden vessels in the Navy's fleet, and its workers — many of whom were civilian contractors — have filed a disproportionate share of California asbestos claims.
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Medical and legal information reviewed and updated: • Sources: VA records, EPA Superfund data, NIOSH studies, litigation history
Asbestos History at Long Beach Naval Shipyard
Long Beach Naval Shipyard was a primary West Coast facility for overhaul and repair of aircraft carriers, battleships, and cruisers. The shipyard was home to intensive work on some of the most asbestos-laden vessels in the Navy's fleet, and its workers — many of whom were civilian contractors — have filed a disproportionate share of California asbestos claims.
Key Facts
Long Beach Naval Shipyard was built in 1943 to meet the massive repair demands of the Pacific Fleet during World War II.
The shipyard overhauled all four Iowa-class battleships — ships with enormous quantities of asbestos in their boiler and machinery spaces.
At peak WWII operations, the shipyard employed approximately 17,000 workers.
Long Beach performed overhauls on Nimitz-class nuclear aircraft carriers, where asbestos insulation was present in non-nuclear machinery areas.
The shipyard closed in 1997 under BRAC; its former site is now part of the Port of Long Beach.
Where Asbestos Was Found at Long Beach Naval Shipyard
Asbestos was integrated into the infrastructure of virtually every military installation built before 1980. At Long Beach Naval Shipyard, documented asbestos-containing materials were found in:
Aircraft carrier engine and boiler rooms
Battleship gun turret machinery spaces
Pipe insulation throughout large vessel classes
Dry dock facilities
Turbine overhaul shops
Mechanical and electrical repair 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 Long Beach Naval Shipyard
Certain occupational roles at Long Beach Naval Shipyard carried significantly higher asbestos exposure risk due to direct contact with insulation, gaskets, pipe systems, and other asbestos-containing materials:
👷Boilermakers
👷Pipefitters
👷Insulators
👷Electricians
👷Shipfitters
👷Machinists
👷Welders
👷Sheet metal workers
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 Long Beach Naval Shipyard Veterans
The companies that manufactured and supplied asbestos-containing materials used at Long Beach 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
Babcock & Wilcox
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 Long Beach 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 Long Beach 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 Long Beach 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 Long Beach Naval Shipyard Veterans
If you or a family member served at Long Beach 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 Long Beach Naval Shipyard?
Yes. Long Beach Naval Shipyard (Long Beach, California) has documented asbestos exposure from 1943–1997. Asbestos was used in Aircraft carrier engine and boiler rooms, Battleship gun turret machinery spaces, Pipe insulation throughout large vessel classes, and other areas throughout the installation. Asbestos-related diseases linked to this base include mesothelioma and lung cancer.
Can Navy veterans from Long Beach Naval Shipyard get compensation?
Yes. Veterans who served at Long Beach 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 Long Beach Naval Shipyard veterans?
Veterans who served at Long Beach 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 Long Beach 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.
