Are Navy Veterans at Risk of Mesothelioma?
Yes. Veterans who served in the U.S. Navy before the early 1980s are at risk of developing mesothelioma today.
This is because they were often exposed to asbestos in ships, submarines, and shipyards. After initial exposure, it can take anywhere from 10-50 years for mesothelioma symptoms to appear. This means that many military veterans are only now being diagnosed with this cancer.
“If anyone is a veteran who served on a submarine or ship, they need to be checked out to see if they have asbestos-related cancer.”
Navy personnel are twice as likely to develop mesothelioma compared to the general population, according to a study in Scientific Reports. The biggest sources of exposure are asbestos pipes, turbines, engine rooms, and boiler rooms.
If you’re a veteran with mesothelioma, we may be able to help you file for disability compensation with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and pursue legal claims against asbestos companies.
Download our Free Veterans Compensation Guide to learn how we support mesothelioma Navy patients and their families.
Asbestos Exposure on Navy Ships
Every U.S. Navy ship built between the 1930s and the early 1980s was made with asbestos-containing products.
When asbestos products were repaired or disturbed, they could release tiny fibers into already cramped areas with poor ventilation on Navy ships.
Swallowing or breathing in asbestos can cause mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases later in life.
Asbestos was used throughout:
- Aircraft carriers
- Auxiliary ships
- Battleships
- Coast Guard cutters
- Cruisers
- Destroyers
- Submarines
- Many other types of Navy vessels
Use our free mesothelioma Navy search tool to see if a ship you served on contained asbestos.
- Type of Ship:
- Asbestos Used: Yes
Learn more about asbestos on Navy ships in our Free Veterans Guide.
Get Your Free Guide or call (866) 608-8933Mesothelioma Navy Risks at Shipyards
Shipyard workers handled asbestos-containing products on a daily basis for long periods of time. As they worked, thick clouds of asbestos dust filled the air, sometimes making it nearly impossible to see across the room.
Shipyards where workers were exposed to asbestos include:
- Albina Shipyard in Oregon
- Avondale Shipyard in Louisiana
- Brooklyn Navy Yard in New York
- Charleston Naval Shipyard in South Carolina
- Groton Naval Base in Connecticut
- Hunters Point Naval Shipyard in California
- Long Beach Naval Shipyard in California
- Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Virginia
- Pearl Harbor Shipyard in Hawaii
- Todd Shipyards in Washington
If you or a family member was diagnosed with mesothelioma after working on naval ships or at shipyards, you may be eligible for compensation. Contact us today to get answers.
Other Types of Navy Asbestos Exposure
Ships and shipyards weren’t the only sources of U.S. Navy asbestos exposure.
Asbestos was also used in:
- Military bases – Many barracks and other buildings on naval bases were constructed with asbestos-containing materials.
- Office buildings – Asbestos was commonly used in office construction and maintenance.
- Vehicles – Trucks, jeeps, and other Navy vehicles often had asbestos components like brake pads and clutches.
- Other assets – Various equipment and machinery used by the Navy also contained asbestos.
Walter, a U.S. Navy veteran with mesothelioma, shares how he was exposed to asbestos and explains how filing a claim for legal compensation helped him. View Transcript.
Duration: 3 min 12 sec
I am spitting polished, I’ll tell you not. I was proud I was in the Navy on seven ships, I was a boiler tender and when I want to board ship that’s when I found out that was as best in the products. Nobody ever said anything about it being dangerous. It didn’t kill anybody on the spot, that’s for sure but it took years later. When started catching up with us but the word mesothelioma, I didn’t know anything about when I turned 70, I started getting pneumonia, not a flu but pneumonia once in a while but then as time went on they kept getting closer and closer and closer together and asked the doctor, I said, I want to know why and they sent me downstairs get a chest X-ray and made it back before I got back up there. I really can’t explain it it I got a knot in my stomach you know but he told me then that there was no care for it he said you have all your paperwork in order I said yes I do he said well keep it there so oh I can’t cut wood or anything any re a big Garden or anything anymore I was been so independent all my life and all of a sudden I can’t do anything for myself. I’m very weak short breath and I’ve lost a lot of weight I’m a little angry about it if I can have my health back I’d give it back give have money back. The thing what convinced me about carrying on with a lawsuit was when I was informed that I wasn’t suing the government, I wasn’t suing the US Navy, I was going suing the manufacturer and I got mad then because they knew when I got told they knew many years prior what it would do to the human being I got mad I said well heck with this noise they’re going to hear from me there was a couple lawyers coming out from from the the law firm Simmons. It was only two or 3 days and he was here I was surprised at the stuff that he knew he just knows the names of all the pumps and the valves going clear back way you know it was a hands-on approach. I guess and that’s what drew me because that’s the way I do things hands-on approach they were prepared they could go back to day one and I appreciated that they damn well earned it.
Secondary Asbestos Exposure in the Navy
Family members of mesothelioma Navy veterans could be at risk through secondary asbestos exposure. This occurs when asbestos fibers are brought home on clothing, shoes, and personal items.
Spouses and children may have also been exposed to asbestos in Navy housing, office buildings, construction sites, and other areas.
Recognizing these risks is important for Navy veterans and loved ones facing mesothelioma so they can get the support and compensation they need.
Get our Free Veterans Compensation Guide to see how your family may be able to get payouts for an asbestos-related illness.
Mesothelioma Navy Compensation and Benefits
Mesothelioma Navy veterans can access financial compensation, health care, and other VA benefits.
They can also file lawsuits against manufacturers of asbestos-containing products and seek mesothelioma Navy compensation from asbestos trust funds.
VA Benefits
Mesothelioma Navy veterans may be entitled to VA disability benefits. Veterans with mesothelioma usually receive an automatic 100% disability rating from the VA, making them eligible for $4,044.91 or more a month in most cases.
Other VA benefits for mesothelioma Navy veterans include:
- VA health care at top mesothelioma treatment centers
- Aid & Attendance (A&A) to pay for help with daily tasks like dressing and bathing
- Dependency & Indemnity Compensation (VA DIC) for surviving spouses and dependents
- Pensions for retired veterans who are below a set income
- Reimbursement for funeral and burial expenses
- Special monthly compensation (SMC) for those who are bedridden or need care from another person
- And more
We can help mesothelioma Navy veterans apply for benefits or increase their disability rating after a diagnosis. Call (866) 608-8933 now — it’s always free to speak with us.
Lawsuit Settlements & Verdicts
Navy veterans can pursue compensation from a mesothelioma settlement or verdict without affecting their eligibility for VA benefits or taking legal action against the U.S. military.
Mesothelioma Navy settlements and verdicts secured by legal partners include:
- $40.1 million for a Washington Navy veteran exposed to asbestos products manufactured by Goodyear
- $3.15 million for a boilerman in Minnesota who served 10 years on the USS Conway and USS Humphreys
- $2.96 million for a North Carolina Navy machinist mate who worked on the USS Moale
- $2.7 million for an electrician’s mate in Arizona who served on the USS Hamul and USS Lea
- $3.3 million for an Illinois boiler tender who worked on the USS Mervine, USS Sea Runner, and USS Harwood
- $4.68 million for a New Hampshire Navy veteran who served on the USS Fred T. Berry
- $5.33 million for a postal carrier and Navy boiler tender
Most mesothelioma lawsuits end in a settlement, meaning you may be able to quickly access compensation without going to court. Get a Free Case Review to see if you can file a Navy asbestos lawsuit.
Get a Free Mesothelioma Case Review
Asbestos Trust Fund Payouts
There’s over $30 billion set aside in asbestos trust funds to compensate mesothelioma Navy patients and their families. These mesothelioma trusts were established by asbestos companies when they filed for bankruptcy.
You may be able to file legal claims with multiple trusts, increasing your potential payout. While the asbestos payout timeline differs in each case, many veterans start receiving mesothelioma compensation in 90 days or less without stepping foot in court.
Jim Gahan, a Navy boiler technician for 20 years, was exposed to asbestos on ships like the USS Independence and USS Truckee, leading to a mesothelioma diagnosis years later. Legal action helped Jim secure compensation that allowed him to afford his medical treatment, giving him more time with his family.
Navy Jobs at Risk of Asbestos Exposure & Mesothelioma
Anyone exposed to asbestos in the Navy could develop mesothelioma later in life. However, some workers were more likely to come into contact with asbestos than others.
The highest-risk mesothelioma Navy jobs included:
- Boiler technicians
- Deckhands
- Electricians
- Engine operators
- Firefighters
- Gunners
- Hull maintenance workers
- Insulators
- Machinist mates
- Mechanics
- Plumbers and pipefitters
- Seabees
- Shipyard workers
- Steelworkers
- Weapons specialists
- Welders
Many of these workers handled asbestos products every single day, significantly increasing their risk of mesothelioma.
If you worked in a high-risk occupation, you may be able to file Navy asbestos claims. Download our Free Veterans Compensation Guide to get started.
VA Mesothelioma Treatment for Navy Veterans
Veterans can access many of the latest mesothelioma treatments from top doctors who work within the VA health care system.
Notable doctors who treat Navy veterans and mesothelioma include:
Dr. Robert Cameron
Dr. Cameron is a thoracic surgeon who leads the mesothelioma program at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center.
Dr. Lorraine Cornwell
Dr. Cornwell leads the mesothelioma treatment program at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston.
Dr. Taylor Ripley
Dr. Ripley works closely with the medical team at Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center to treat mesothelioma Navy veterans in the Houston area.
Dr. Wickii Vigneswaran
Dr. Vigneswaran is a thoracic surgeon who sees patients at Tampa’s James A. Haley VA Hospital.
Dr. Daniel Wiener
Dr. Wiener serves as Chief of the Division of Thoracic Surgery at the VA Boston Healthcare System.
Some VA cancer centers that treat mesothelioma Navy patients include:
2002 Holcombe Blvd.
Houston, TX 77030
1400 VFW Parkway
West Roxbury, MA 02132
1660 South Columbian Way
Seattle, WA 98108
11301 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90073
How We Can Help Navy Veterans With Mesothelioma
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, our dedicated team of fellow veterans can walk you through the benefits process and gather the information needed to submit your claim.
Mesothelioma Hope can also help you:
- Connect with VA mesothelioma doctors in your state
- Find support groups and peer mentors
- Increase your existing veterans benefits
- Pursue payouts from lawsuits and asbestos trust funds
Call us at (866) 608-8933 now or download our Veterans Compensation Guide to get started.
Mesothelioma and the Navy FAQs
Are Navy veterans exposed to asbestos?
Yes, some U.S. Navy veterans develop mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure during their military service. Asbestos was prevalent on Navy ships and in shipyards for many decades.
According to a report in The New York Times, asbestos dust was so thick in World War II shipyards that workers “often could not see across a room.”
Do Navy ships still have asbestos?
Yes, some ships still contain legacy asbestos, but steps have been taken to minimize exposure risks.
Asbestos was widely used in U.S. Navy ships built before the 1980s since it was fireproof, heat-resistant, and durable. The Navy stopped using asbestos in new ships in the late 1970s, but older ships that are still in service or held in reserve may have asbestos materials onboard.
Can you sue the Navy for mesothelioma?
No, you can’t sue the Navy if you developed mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos during your military service.
However, you may be able to sue the asbestos companies that supplied products to the Navy and the general public for decades. These companies knew the dangers of asbestos but hid them to make a profit.
When did the Navy stop using asbestos?
The Navy had mostly stopped using asbestos for insulation and fireproofing new ships and buildings by the early 1980s.
For much of the 20th century, however, Navy veterans were exposed to a variety of asbestos-containing products on ships, putting them at risk of mesothelioma, asbestosis, and other serious illnesses.
What percentage of VA disability is asbestos exposure?
The VA disability rating is 100% for mesothelioma Navy patients. The VA sets this high rating because mesothelioma is considered a serious and life-threatening disease.
With a 100% rating, married Navy veterans can potentially get $4,044.91 or more a month tax-free, giving them one less thing to worry about as they focus on their treatment and recovery.
How We Can Help
