Mesothelioma Lawyer for Liberty Ship Workers + Crew
Liberty ships were the iconic WWII emergency cargo ships — 2,710 built between 1941 and 1945, the largest single-class run in maritime history. Kaiser's Richmond Shipyards alone employed 90,000 workers building Liberty ships at peak. Asbestos was used pervasively in boiler insulation, pipe lagging, gaskets, packing material, and electrical insulation. Workers building Liberty ships and crews who later served aboard them face documented elevated mesothelioma rates spanning 80+ years.
About the Liberty Ship
- Type: WWII Emergency Cargo Ship
- Years Active: 1941-1945 production; many in service through 1970s
- Units Built: 2,710 (largest single-class run in maritime history)
Building Shipyards (Where Asbestos Exposure Occurred)
- Kaiser Shipyards Richmond CA (90,000 workers)
- Kaiser Vancouver/Swan Island OR/WA
- Bethlehem Steel Sparrows Point MD
- Federal Shipbuilding Kearny NJ
- Southeastern Shipbuilding Savannah GA
- New England Shipbuilding South Portland ME
- Permanente Metals
How Crew + Shipyard Workers Were Exposed
Liberty ships were the iconic WWII emergency cargo ships — 2,710 built between 1941 and 1945, the largest single-class run in maritime history. Kaiser's Richmond Shipyards alone employed 90,000 workers building Liberty ships at peak. Asbestos was used pervasively in boiler insulation, pipe lagging, gaskets, packing material, and electrical insulation. Workers building Liberty ships and crews who later served aboard them face documented elevated mesothelioma rates spanning 80+ years.
Compensation for Liberty Ship Veterans + Workers
Three parallel tracks for sailors, civilian shipyard workers, and family members:
- VA disability — mesothelioma is rated 100% for Navy veterans with documented service aboard Liberty Ship vessels.
- Asbestos trust funds — typically 8-12 trusts apply (Manville, UNARCO, OC, Combustion Engineering, B&W, Garlock, Crane, Foster Wheeler, Eagle-Picher).
- Product liability lawsuits — against the private companies that supplied asbestos products to the Navy.
How Whitman Mesothelioma Law Firm Helps
We represent Liberty Ship veterans, civilian shipyard workers, and family members nationwide. Authored by Michelle Whitman, reviewed by Paul Danziger, edited by Rod De Llano.