Did Ingalls Shipbuilding Expose Workers to Asbestos?

Ingalls Shipbuilding operated in Pascagoula, Mississippi, and built and repaired ships using asbestos. Today, it operates as part of Huntington Ingalls Industries and builds and repairs ships for the U.S. Navy. Although it no longer uses asbestos, past use exposed workers and put them at risk for mesothelioma and other illnesses.

If you or a loved one suffer from mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may qualify for substantial compensation. Currently, there is over $30 billion in asbestos trust funds, awaiting those who’ve been diagnosed with an asbestos illness. Fill out our form to receive our free Financial Compensation Packet. Our packet is loaded with information on experienced mesothelioma attorneys in your area, how to file a claim for asbestos trust funds, how to get paid in 90 days, and more. 

All shipyards in the U.S. used asbestos at one point in time. Peak asbestos use in ships occurred between approximately the 1930s and the 1970s. This is when Ingalls Shipbuilding used asbestos and put workers at risk of exposure.

Like other shipyards, Ingalls used asbestos in ships for its ability to insulate. It was also prized for fireproofing and being lightweight. This heavy asbestos use occurred before most workers understood the risks of being around asbestos.

A History of Ingalls Shipbuilding

Ingalls Shipbuilding Corporation was founded in 1938 by businessman Robert Ingersoll Ingalls, Sr. The company was opened in a convenient location in Mississippi, along the Pascagoula River and the Gulf of Mexico.

• Business grew for Ingalls with the onset of World War II and the U.S.’s involvement in the war. The shipyard built many vessels for the Navy.

• Ingalls also won a contract with the United States Navy in 1957. The company built a dozen nuclear attack submarines for the Navy.

• During the late 1960s, Litton Industries bought out Ingalls Shipbuilding and began creating a line of warships, including more nuclear submarines, destroyers, submarine tenders, and more. The need for additional ships resulted in the shipyard expanding onto the other side of the Pascagoula River.

• Ingalls Shipbuilding continued to thrive and, by 1977, employed more than 27,000 people.

• By 2001, the company changed hands once again when the Northrop Grumman Corporation purchased the business.

• Although business was great for the company, 2005’s Hurricane Katrina stopped shipbuilding after many of the shipyard’s buildings and equipment were destroyed.

Today, Ingalls Shipbuilding is part of Huntington Ingalls Industries, a subsidiary of Northrop Grumman. Ingalls won a Navy contract in 2015 to repair vessels and build landing craft and destroyers. Additional contracts won in 2023 to update the Navy’s Zumwalt-class destroyers keep workers busy.

How Did Ingalls Shipbuilding Use Asbestos?

Like other shipyards in the U.S., Ingalls used asbestos for its ability to insulate and fireproof ships and equipment. Insulation was one of the most important uses for asbestos on ships.

Some of the hundreds of asbestos components that went into ships built and repaired at Ingalls include:

• Pipe insulation
• Boilers
• Pumps
• Gaskets
• Valves
• Cement
• Textiles
• Rope
• Firefighting gear

Who Was at Risk of Asbestos Exposure at Ingalls Shipbuilding?

Anyone working at Ingalls when it used asbestos could have been exposed. Exposure occurs when asbestos is handled and releases fibers. These tiny fibers enter the air, where anyone in the area can inhale them.

People who worked directly with or handled asbestos had the greatest risk of inhaling higher concentrations of fibers. These people included:

• Insulation workers
• Boiler workers
• Pipefitters
• Plumbers
• Repair workers
• Electricians

Ingalls Shipbuilding Asbestos Lawsuits

Ingalls is one of the few shipyards that acknowledged asbestos exposure. However, it helped make the company and its shipyard a centerpiece of asbestos legislation. This is primarily because of the shipyard’s locations. Being located in Mississippi meant that mass torts were favorable.

Ingalls Shipbuilding became the target of many asbestos-related claims. While working at the shipyard, most of the claims were from workers who developed asbestos-related illnesses, such as malignant mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancer.

Robert H. Overly v. Ingalls Shipbuilding

According to court documents, Robert and Louise Overly filed a lawsuit against Ingalls Shipbuilding in the 1990s over Robert’s mesothelioma diagnosis.

Although Robert was an employee of Westinghouse, he made trips to Ingalls in the 1960s, where he spent several days working on the ships as a field engineer.

At Ingalls, Robert was exposed to “several types of asbestos insulation products, including pipe covering, block insulation, cement, and tape.”

He was surrounded by large amounts of asbestos dust while working on insulation products and when he installed turbines.

During testimony, Robert said he had no idea that asbestos dust could harm his health.

According to court testimony, no one ever told him at Ingalls about the dangers of asbestos, nor were there any warning signs.

No Protective Gear

Robert also said he was never offered protective gear, such as a respirator mask or safety clothing. Others who worked at Ingalls were defense witnesses for Robert and confirmed his claim that no safety gear was ever offered.

No Safe Level of Asbestos

Robert’s attorney presented evidence that there is no safe level of asbestos. The mesothelioma lawyer also presented substantial evidence indicating Ingalls was aware of, or should have been, the dangers of asbestos to workers. 

Dr. Barry Castleman, an expert witness for the prosecution, stated that there had been information regarding asbestos dangers since the 1890s.

On December 3, 1996, a San Francisco jury  [74 Cal.App.4th 170] found Ingalls Shipbuilding, Westinghouse, another shipyard owner, Avondale, and several other companies guilty of negligence against the Overly family.

A total of $400,000 in non-economic damages was given to the Overly family, in addition to $25,000 for the loss of consortium to Louise Overly.

Compensation for Ingalls Workers Exposed to Asbestos

If you were affected by asbestos at Ingalls, contact a mesothelioma lawyer to find out what you can do about it. Most people have two options for seeking compensation for mesothelioma and other asbestos illnesses.

Mesothelioma Lawsuit Settlement

Most mesothelioma cases are considered personal injuries because the cause is negligent workplace asbestos exposure. An asbestos attorney can review your work history and determine which companies are responsible for exposing you to asbestos at Ingalls.

If a lawsuit is an option, they can help you sue those asbestos companies. Most mesothelioma and asbestos lawsuits end in settlements. Only a few ever go to trial.

Asbestos Trust Fund Claim

You cannot sue the asbestos companies that exposed you to asbestos if they went bankrupt. Many of these companies filed for bankruptcy as a result of lawsuits.

These companies had to set up asbestos trust funds to compensate victims as an alternative to a lawsuit. You could be eligible to file a claim. Some of the asbestos companies associated with exposure at Ingalls Shipbuilding that set up trust funds include:

• Babcock & Wilcox
• Combustion Engineering
• Fibreboard
• Flintkote
• JT Thorpe
• Kaiser Aluminum
• Keene Corporation
• NARCO
• Owens Corning
• Pittsburgh Corning

Additional Information and Resources for Asbestos Victims

If you’ve been injured by mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, keep in mind that there is a good chance that you’ll qualify for considerable compensation. Remember to fill out our form to get your free Financial Compensation Packet, with information on experienced asbestos and mesothelioma lawyers in your area.