Was Bath Iron Works (BIW / General Dynamics) — asbestos documented in litigation?

Bath Iron Works (BIW / General Dynamics) — is documented in public asbestos litigation records as a manufacturer whose products contained asbestos during the mid-twentieth century. Workers in industrial facilities, power plants, refineries, shipyards, and commercial construction who handled or worked near these products may have experienced occupational exposure.

Which trades had the most exposure?

Pipe coverers and insulators, pipefitters, boilermakers, millwrights, and maintenance workers are among the trades most frequently documented in asbestos exposure claims. Workers who cut, fitted, or removed asbestos-containing products — and those working in close proximity during that work — typically had the highest fiber concentrations.

How long do workers have to file an asbestos claim?

Statutes of limitations for asbestos personal injury claims vary by state, typically ranging from one to five years from the date of an asbestos-related diagnosis. The clock generally starts at diagnosis, not exposure — mesothelioma can have a latency period of 20 to 50 years. An asbestos attorney can identify the deadlines that apply to your specific situation.

Can workers file claims related to Bath Iron Works (BIW / General Dynamics) — asbestos exposure?

Yes. Workers diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis after exposure to Bath Iron Works (BIW / General Dynamics) — products may pursue claims through civil litigation. An experienced asbestos attorney can assess available defendants, applicable trust funds from co-defendants, and the states where claims can be filed most effectively.

Can family members file secondary exposure claims?

Spouses, children, and household members who developed asbestos-related disease through contact with contaminated work clothing brought home by an exposed worker may be eligible for secondary (household) exposure claims. Wrongful-death claims can also be filed by surviving family members of workers who died from asbestos-related disease.

Marine

Bath Iron Works Naval Surface Combatant Construction at Bath Maine

⚖ Litigation Record1884-present (asbestos era through 1980s)Asbestos marine insulation, asbestos pipe covering, asbestos boiler refractory, asbestos electrical insulation, asbestos gaskets

Overview Product Facts Trades

Litigation Record: Information below reflects allegations in publicly filed asbestos litigation — plaintiff allegations, not findings of fact.

Premises Description

Bath Iron Works Corporation (BIW — founded 1884; today a subsidiary of General Dynamics Corporation; headquartered Bath Maine) operated through the 20th century and today the Bath ME shipyard on the Kennebec River — historically one of the principal U.S. East Coast Navy surface combatant builders. BIW built through the asbestos era U.S. Navy destroyers, frigates, cruisers, and amphibious ships. The yard remains today a principal builder of Arleigh Burke-class destroyers and Zumwalt-class destroyers.

Through the asbestos era — particularly the WWII destroyer-construction era and post-war Cold War surface combatant programs — BIW employed thousands of shipyard machinists, marine machinists, ship insulators, pipefitters, boilermakers, electricians, welders, riggers, and trade workers across the Bath Maine yard.

BIW used through the asbestos era Marinite, Mundet asbestos-cork, Johns-Manville pipe covering, Owens-Corning Kaylo, Pittsburgh Corning Unibestos, and other principal manufacturers’ asbestos products throughout Navy surface combatant construction in confined shipboard spaces with limited ventilation.

Plaintiffs alleged in publicly filed U.S. asbestos personal-injury and wrongful-death litigation that Bath Iron Works — as premises owner of the Bath ME shipyard — exposed its shipyard workforce and contractor trades to extensive asbestos.

Bath Iron Works / General Dynamics has been named as a Premises Defendant in publicly filed U.S. asbestos personal-injury and wrongful-death litigation.

Workers Exposed

Shipyard machinists, marine machinists, and shipfitters at BIW Bath ME
Ship insulators (HFIAW Local members) installing marine asbestos insulation
Pipefitters running asbestos-clad shipboard piping
Boilermakers (IBB Local members) building ship boilers
Electricians running asbestos-insulated shipboard electrical
Welders, riggers, and laborers working alongside shipboard asbestos
Navy ratings aboard ships built or overhauled at BIW

If You Worked at Bath Iron Works

If you worked at Bath Iron Works during the asbestos era — as a BIW employee or as a Navy rating aboard a ship at the yard — and have since been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer, or another asbestos-related illness, you may have legal rights.

Free, confidential case evaluation: Speak with O’Brien Law Firm — (314) 936-2956

Product Facts

Trade NameBath Iron Works Naval Surface Combatant Construction at Bath Maine

Years Produced1884-present (asbestos era through 1980s)

Asbestos ContentAsbestos marine insulation, asbestos pipe covering, asbestos boiler refractory, asbestos electrical insulation, asbestos gaskets

CategoryMarine Industrial-Furnaces Gaskets

Trust FundNo active trust

Exposed Trades & Occupations

Shipyard machinistsMarine machinistsInsulatorsPipefittersBoilermakersElectricians

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Were You Exposed to an Asbestos-Containing Product?

If you have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease and were exposed to asbestos-containing products, you and your family may be entitled to significant compensation through asbestos trust funds and civil litigation. An attorney experienced in product liability and asbestos claims can evaluate your case — at no cost to you.

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No attorney fee unless we make a financial recovery
Statutes of limitations may limit the time you have to act
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Asbestos Product Liability & Mesothelioma Claims

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