General Dynamics Electric Boat and Mesothelioma

At many jobsites, including General Dynamics Electric Boat, asbestos exposure was common among workers for many years.

Exposure creates a risk of developing mesothelioma. Workers who may have developed mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure at General Dynamics Electric Boat or its shipyard held occupations such as plumbers, pipefitters, Navy veterans, and shipyard workers, among many others.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, it’s important to find an experienced mesothelioma lawyer. General Dynamics Electric Boat employees are among our thousands of clients. If you worked in the Electric Boat shipyard and were diagnosed with mesothelioma, we can review your options for getting the compensation you deserve.

Occupational Asbestos Exposure at General Dynamics Electric Boat

General Dynamics Electric Boat employees from the 1950s to the 1970s, and even into the 1990s, were at a high risk of asbestos exposure while performing their job duties. According to reports, Electric Boat employees who worked for the company for eight or more years were most overexposed to asbestos¹. Asbestos products were used in many components of submarine construction, overhauls, and maintenance.

Workers can be exposed to asbestos if fibers become airborne and are inhaled. Once in the lungs, these fibers can cause numerous asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma. Any of the following high-risk occupations at Electric Boat could involve asbestos exposure.

Mesothelioma lawyers for General Dynamics Electric Boat employees also work with families who were exposed to secondhand asbestos. This is called secondary exposure. Secondary exposure happens when a loved one has asbestos fibers on their clothes, shoes, or hair, and unknowingly brings it home where others might breathe it in.

Individuals with secondary asbestos exposure who are diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease are often entitled to compensation, just like those with direct exposure.

Occupational Asbestos Exposure at General Dynamics Electric Boat Shipyard

In 1911, General Dynamics Electric Boat acquired the New London Ship and Engine Company in Groton, Connecticut to meet the demands of the Navy. This shipyard would become the headquarters for General Dynamics Electric Boat, a dangerous site for asbestos exposure, and the Navy’s primary producer of submarines.

From the 1930s to the 1980s, workers who constructed or maintained submarines, submarine chasers, and patrol torpedo boats were likely exposed to asbestos. These employees often worked in space-constrained and poorly ventilated areas, which possibly allowed more asbestos fibers to remain in their work areas.

As a result, many General Dynamics shipyard workers developed asbestos-related diseases, such as pleural, pericardial, and peritoneal types of mesothelioma. In addition, anyone who repairs or decommissions ships from this era is also at risk.

Asbestos Products Used at General Dynamics Electric Boat

Asbestos was used in most shipyards and most Naval vessels from the 1930s to the 1980s, as it increased the durability and heat resistance of components. Employees of General Dynamics Electric Boat with mesothelioma may have encountered a variety of asbestos products including, but not limited to:

In addition, General Dynamics Electric Boat workers in areas where any of these asbestos products were used could have been exposed. Asbestos fibers released from paint, floor tiles, roofing materials, HVAC ducts, and more can remain in the air for long periods on a worksite.

Compensation for General Dynamics Electric Boat Workers With Mesothelioma

If you or a loved one has received a mesothelioma diagnosis, you may be able to pursue legal compensation to help manage your medical costs and provide financial security for your family. A mesothelioma lawyer for General Dynamics Electric Boat employees, like Early, Lucarelli, Sweeney and Meisenkothen (ELSM), can help you evaluate all of your options.

Our firm has won many mesothelioma lawsuits, and we are often able to obtain substantial mesothelioma settlements without taking a case to court. Additionally, we have helped many Electric Boat workers file Connecticut workers’ compensation claims. If you've received a mesothelioma diagnosis after working at Electric Boat, contact us today for a free case evaluation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the connection between General Dynamics Electric Boat and asbestos?

General Dynamics Electric Boat employees from the 1950s to the 1990s were at a high risk of asbestos exposure while performing their job duties. These occupations included but were not limited to cleaners, enginemen, engineers, HVAC workers, longshoremen, machinists, mechanics, Navy veterans, pipe coverers, and shipyard workers.

What health risks are associated with General Dynamics Electric Boat asbestos exposure?

Many laborers at General Dynamics Electric Boat were potentially exposed to asbestos. Workers’ loved ones may have also experienced secondary exposure. As a result, many people have developed asbestos-related diseases, such as asbestosis, asbestos lung cancer, and pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma. 

Is General Dynamics Electric Boat still in operation?

Yes, both General Dynamics Electric Boat and its shipyard are still in operation today.

Sources

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Health Hazard Evaluation Report.  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. August 1983.