USS South Dakota BB57

The USS South Dakota BB57 was the most decorated ship of World War II. She was also a participant in the first gunfire attack on Japan, a historic moment for the U.S. Navy. A relatively new ship in WWII, the South Dakota was built in 1939–40, and her crew of more than 2,300 sailors and officers fought bravely in many locations and campaigns, including:

 the Battle of Santa Cruz
 Savo Island
 the Gilbert Island raids
 the Battle of the Philippine Sea

Awarded 13 battle stars for her service in WWII, the USS South Dakota was decommissioned in 1947.

The USS South Dakota and Asbestos

The South Dakota was built at Camden, New Jersey, by the New York Shipbuilding Corporation. Because it was built before the years when asbestos use was regulated by the government, it contained numerous asbestos components, such as:

 insulation for pipes, machinery, and boilers
 adhesives and cements
 valves, gaskets and brakes

All of the personnel who helped build the USS South Dakota, and those who performed routine or special maintenance and repairs on the ship, and those who served in the military aboard the South Dakota were at risk of being exposed to a toxic level of asbestos.

Asbestos, Navy Veterans, and Shipyard Workers

The diseases that are caused by asbestos exposure — lung cancer and other cancers, mesothelioma (a cancer for which the sole confirmed cause is asbestos exposure), and asbestosis — are significantly more common among Navy veterans and shipyard workers compared to the general population.

It is often years, even decades, before the symptoms of asbestos-caused diseases manifest themselves. The asbestos fibers that are inadvertently inhaled are the source of these cancers and other respiratory diseases. Unfortunately, by the time the asbestos diseases are diagnosed, it is too late for any meaningful treatment or cure.

Talk to an Attorney about Your Rights

If you’re a former shipyard worker or Navy veteran involved with the USS South Dakota BB57, contact an asbestos lawyer to learn about your legal rights.