Bath Iron Works — Bath, Maine

Plaintiffs alleged in publicly filed U.S. asbestos personal-injury and wrongful-death litigation that workers at Bath Iron Works (BIW) in Bath, Sagadahoc County, Maine, sustained occupational asbestos exposure during the construction and repair of U.S. Navy surface combatants.

Facility Background

Bath Iron Works has built naval vessels in Bath, Maine since 1884, and today remains one of the U.S. Navy’s two primary shipbuilders for surface combatants, particularly destroyers. During World War II, BIW built destroyers at a remarkable pace, earning its wartime reputation as “the bath tub.” In the postwar era, BIW continued building destroyers, frigates, and cruisers for the Navy, including Spruance-class, Arleigh Burke-class, and other surface ships.

Plaintiffs alleged that the construction of naval surface ships at Bath Iron Works — particularly through the 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s — involved extensive use of asbestos-containing insulation materials in ship machinery spaces, engine rooms, and throughout vessel piping systems.

Alleged Asbestos Pathways

Plaintiffs alleged in litigation that asbestos exposure occurred through multiple pathways:

  • Engine room and boiler room insulation: Plaintiffs alleged that insulators and asbestos workers applied asbestos block, pipe covering, and blankets in the machinery spaces and fire rooms of destroyers and other combatants under construction, creating intense fiber exposure in confined spaces.
  • Steam system insulation: Plaintiffs alleged that the steam turbine propulsion systems of naval surface ships required extensive asbestos insulation on turbines, steam generators, condensers, and associated piping within the confines of ship machinery spaces.
  • Pipe work and gaskets: Plaintiffs alleged that pipefitters installing steam, fuel, seawater, and weapons system piping throughout ship hulls encountered asbestos gaskets, packing, and pipe covering throughout construction.
  • Bystander exposure: Plaintiffs alleged that shipfitters, welders, electricians, and other trades working adjacent to insulation operations in confined ship spaces received significant bystander asbestos exposure.

Maine has a six-year statute of limitations under 14 M.R.S. § 752, running from the date of mesothelioma diagnosis — longer than most states. Wrongful death claims carry a two-year limit under 18-C M.R.S.A. § 2-807.

Workers who were employed at Bath Iron Works and who have since been diagnosed with mesothelioma or asbestos-related disease may have legal remedies available. Contact O’Brien Law Firm at (314) 237-3332 to discuss your work history and legal options at no cost.