Thousands of shipyard workers who were employed at the Avondale Shipyards may have suffered asbestos exposure as a result of asbestos-containing products that were used at the site. Workers who were exposed to asbestos at Avondale may be at an increased risk of developing mesothelioma, cancer, asbestosis or other diseases.

The Avondale Shipyards was founded in 1938 under the name Avondale Marine Way about 20 miles north of New Orleans near the town of Westwego, LA. During one period, Avondale was the largest employer in the state of Louisiana, with about 26,000 total shipyard workers employed at the site.

Avondale initially built only tugs and barges, but after the outbreak of World War II, it began making small cargo ships for the U.S. Merchant Marines. After the war, the shipyard was expanded to its current location at the Harvey Repair Yard along the Harvey Canal.

Over the subsequent decades, many other ships were built at the Avondale Shipyards and Harvey Repair Yard, including amphib- ious transport docks, dock landing ships, fleet replenishment oilers, frigates, high endurance cutters and cargo ships. More than 2500 ships were built at Avondale in the 70 years since it opened.

A number of asbestos wholesalers and contracting companies may have played a role in the exposure to asbestos products of workers employed at the shipyards. These companies include:

• McCarty Inc.
• Eagle Inc. (formerly Eagle Asbestos & Packing)
• Taylor-Seidenbach Inc.
• Reilly-Benton
• ANCO Insulation
• Hopeman Brothers

In July 2010, Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding—the owners of the Avondale Shipyards—announced plans to close the facility by early 2013 and move its operations to another shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi. However, state and local authorities were negotiating a deal in early 2012 to convert Avondale into a commercial shipbuilding facility and keep the shipyard open past the proposed closure date.

If you or a loved one worked at the Avondale Shipyards or other shipbuilding facilities in Louisiana and were exposed to asbestos-containing products, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit. For a free legal consultation, contact the lawyers at Hissey Mulderig & Friend by calling toll-free at 1-866-863-3848, or by filling out the free case evaluation form located on this page.