Todd Shipyards

Todd Shipyards has a long history of shipbuilding in the U.S. and built many vessels for the military. Todd Shipyards also has a long history of asbestos use. This resulted in workers developing life-threatening illnesses, such as mesothelioma and asbestos lung cancer.

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 get a free Financial Compensation Packet. You’ll learn about the experienced mesothelioma lawyers in your area, how to get paid in 90 days, how to file a claim for the asbestos trust funds, and more.

Did Todd Shipyards Use Asbestos?

Todd Shipyards used asbestos extensively for many years. Shipyards once used asbestos in hundreds of components that went into ships.

Both shipbuilding and repair relied on asbestos materials for insulating and fireproofing. The peak time for asbestos use in the shipbuilding industry was from the 1930s through the 1970s.

Todd Shipyards History

Todd Shipyards was created in 1916 when William H. Todd Corporation bought properties in New Jersey and New York. Todd Shipyards would eventually include locations in Seattle, Oakland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Galveston, and New Orleans.

• Since the shipyard was built shortly after World War I started, business picked up quickly as the need for vessels was extremely high at the time.

• There were so many demands for ships that Todd Shipyards operated 24 hours per day, with numerous people working around the clock.

• When World War II began, Todd Shipyards again began building numerous vessels, including 60 cargo ships for the British Purchasing Commission.

• Todd Shipyards built over 300 landing craft vessels for the United States Maritime Commission and the United States Navy, including destroyer vessels, frigates, and more. During this time, Todd Shipyards employed close to 57,000 workers.

• When World War II ended, the shipyard bought a plant in San Pedro, California, which eventually became the Los Angeles division of Todd Shipyards. The new division added to the expansion of Todd Shipyards and two other shipyard facilities in Galveston, Texas and Seattle, Washington.

• Todd Shipyards continued building ships throughout the early 1980s, including opening additional facilities in New Orleans, Brooklyn, and San Francisco.

• By 1983, the shipyard began declining, and part of its downfall was due was its excessive use of asbestos, which left Todd Shipyards facing hundreds of asbestos-related lawsuits.

• In 1987, Todd Shipyards filed for bankruptcy, claiming that the business lost money on the two current contracts.

Today, many of the former Todd Shipyards are run by Vigor Shipyards.

Notable Todd Shipyard Locations

Todd Shipyards was a major shipbuilding and repair operation. It started in New York and New Jersey and expanded to multiple shipyards across the U.S.

Todd Shipyards Seattle

The Seattle location was a flagship for Todd Shipyards and one of the largest shipbuilding facilities on the Pacific Coast. It was originally the Seattle Construction and Dry Dock Company, founded in 1882. It was hugely important in the war effort during World War II and also built Washington State ferries and serviced vessels for the U.S. Coast Guard.

Todd Shipyards Brooklyn

Robin Dry Dock and Repair Co. in Brooklyn was one of the original shipyards acquired by Todd. It dates back to the mid-1800s. During World War II, the shipyard built destroyers and other Navy vessels. The shipyard closed in the 1980s. Asbestos was found on-site during redevelopment projects.

Todd Shipyards San Francisco

The San Francisco location for Todd Shipyards was active during World War I and later expanded to accommodate the needs of World War II. Workers here built transport ships during the war and repaired both civilian and naval vessels. Asbestos was later found on the site in pipes, insulation, and other materials.

Todd Shipyards Galveston

The Todd Shipyards in Galveston, Texas, opened in 1934. Previously, the location was known as the Galveston Dry Dock & Construction. The site acquired other local businesses to expand and also leased the Brown Shipbuilding property. It filed for bankruptcy and shuttered operations in 1990.

Todd Shipbuilding Houston

Todd Shipyards operated an emergency shipyard in Houston during World War II. Operated along with Kaiser Corporation, the shipyard opened in 1941 and closed in 1946 after building over 200 Liberty ships.

Todd Shipyards Oakland

Todd Shipyards acquired United Shipbuilding in Oakland in 1949. The work here focused on repairing fishing boats as well as large oil tankers. Unlike other shipyards in the area, Oakland was a repair facility and did not build ships.

Todd Shipyards Los Angeles

The U.S. Navy originally operated the Los Angeles shipyard. It handed over operations to Todd Shipyards in 1943 and was at the time known as the San Pedro Shipyards. Todd Shipyards officially gained ownership of the shipyard in 1945.

Other Todd Shipyard Locations

In addition to these sites, Todd Shipyards operated facilities in New Orleans, South Portland, Maine, Portland, Oregon, Charleston, South Carolina, Alabama, and Perth Amboy, New Jersey. Many served as emergency facilities for World War II.

How Did Todd Shipyards Use Asbestos?

Todd Shipyards used asbestos extensively in all of its locations. Shipyards used asbestos for insulating and fireproofing on ships. It also could be found in buildings in the yard and in the equipment and vehicles workers used.

Hundreds of components that went into ships contained asbestos, including:

• Boilers
• Insulation
• Pipes
• Gaskets
• Valves
• Pumps
• Adhesives
• Wall panels
• Ceiling panels
• Textiles

Who Was at Risk for Asbestos Exposure at Todd Shipyards?

All workers at all Todd Shipyards risked asbestos exposure. The asbestos materials easily shed fibers that become part of the dust in the air and on surfaces. Anyone working in the area and not wearing protective gear can inhale the fibers and be exposed in this way.

Some workers in shipyards had a higher risk of exposure than others. Todd Shipyard workers who handled asbestos materials made repairs to them, or worked very close to these workers, were more likely to inhale fibers:

• Insulation installers and repairers
• Pipefitters
• Plumbers
• Electricians
• Boiler workers
• Welders
• Demolition workers and shipbreakers

Todd Shipyard Asbestos Lawsuits

The problems of asbestos issues got so severe that Todd Shipyards was once up against 490 asbestos-related lawsuits, including claims for mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, asbestosis, and other injuries and illnesses. The shipyard settled most of these cases with money set aside in reserves and insurance funds.

Los Angeles Shipyard Boilermaker Wins Case

Todd Shipyards also fought back on numerous claims from people who worked at the shipyard’s Brooklyn facility and Los Angeles facility.

For instance, in the 1970s, a Los Angeles shipyard boilermaker, Sidney Osmundsen, filed an asbestos lawsuit against both Todd Shipyards and Travelers Insurance.

Both companies challenged the claim, which was eventually denied due to failure to give notice in time of being aware of his condition and how it related to the asbestos exposure at the job site (33 U.S.C. Sec. 912(a)).

After numerous delays and appeals, Osmundsen won his case before the U.S. Court of Appeals. Court documents indicate that at the time, Todd Shipyards still had over $3 million in a bodily injury fund to pay off these types of claims and lawsuits.

Win for Secondhand Asbestos Exposure Victim

George Kraemer developed mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos as a child. His father handled asbestos-wrapped pipes at his job at the Seattle Todd Shipyard. His father died from lung disease, and his brother also developed asbetosis.

Rather than suing Todd Shipyards, the Kraemer family filed a lawsuit against asbestos suppliers. The family ultimately won a jury award of $10 million.

How to Seek Compensation if You Were Exposed to Asbestos at Todd Shipyards

Contact an asbestos law firm if you believe exposure at Todd Shipyards led to your mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis diagnosis. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can review your case and explain your options for seeking compensation.

Most victims are eligible to seek compensation through a lawsuit or an asbestos trust fund. Most lawsuits are against the companies that supplied shipyards with asbestos. If those companies went bankrupt, a claim with an asbestos trust fund is another option.

If you are a veteran affected by ships repaired or built at Todd Shipyards, you can seek benefits through the VA. VA benefits include monthly disability compensation and medical care, as well as compensation for dependents.

Additional Help 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. Don’t forget to fill out our form to get our free Financial Compensation Packet, filled with information on the experienced asbestos and mesothelioma attorneys in your area. If you have questions or need additional assistance, contact us at 800-793-4540.