Massachusetts reports approximately 70 mesothelioma diagnoses per year, concentrated particularly in the greater Boston area. The Fore River Shipyard in Quincy — at one time the largest privately owned shipyard in the world — and the Boston Naval Shipyard in Charlestown together employed tens of thousands of workers who were exposed to asbestos insulation throughout the mid-20th century. Massachusetts also has significant exposure histories in power generation, aerospace, and the electronics and defense industries.
Asbestos Exposure History in Massachusetts
The Fore River Shipyard in Quincy, operated by Bethlehem Steel for most of its history, was one of the most significant shipbuilding facilities in the US — building destroyers, battleships, and submarines from the early 1900s through the 1980s. Workers throughout the yard were exposed to asbestos insulation in the ships they built and repaired. The Boston Naval Shipyard in Charlestown (also known as the Charlestown Navy Yard) was the primary Atlantic Fleet maintenance facility for much of the 20th century. General Electric's Lynn facility, which manufactured jet engines and turbines, also exposed thousands of workers to asbestos insulation in the manufacturing process.
Key Asbestos Exposure Sites in Massachusetts
- Fore River Shipyard (Quincy)
- Boston Naval Shipyard (Charlestown)
- General Electric (Lynn — jet engines)
- Raytheon facilities (Waltham / Andover)
- New England Power Company plants
- Boston construction projects (post-WWII building boom)
Top Industries for Asbestos Exposure in Massachusetts
- Shipbuilding & Naval Facilities
- Power Generation
- Chemical Plants
- Textile Manufacturing
- Construction
Massachusetts Mesothelioma Laws & Filing Deadlines
Massachusetts has a 3-year statute of limitations for both personal injury and wrongful death asbestos claims. Massachusetts courts have experience with shipyard mesothelioma cases, particularly in Suffolk County (Boston) and Norfolk County (Quincy / Brockton area). Massachusetts allows recovery of punitive damages in asbestos cases where manufacturers exhibited particularly egregious disregard for public safety.
* Filing deadlines are based on state law at time of publication. Always verify current deadlines with a licensed mesothelioma attorney in Massachusetts.
Frequently Asked Questions — Mesothelioma in Massachusetts
Yes. The shipyard's closure is irrelevant to your legal claims. Claims are filed against the manufacturers of the asbestos products used in the shipyard — most of whom have established trust funds — not against the shipyard itself. The shipyard's operational history and the products used there are well-documented in the litigation record.