Asbestos on Amphibious Warships | List of At-Risk Ships

About Asbestos on Amphibious Warships

Asbestos was used to build amphibious warships because the mineral resisted heat and corrosion and kept the vessels seaworthy.

A black and white photo of the USS Herbert — USS Herbert (DD-160) (1919-1946)

Navy amphibious warships served as light aircraft carriers and supported forces on the ground by carrying troops and supplies, so they needed to be durable and fireproof.

Those who served on these ships or maintained them may have unknowingly breathed in or inhaled asbestos fibers.

When asbestos fibers enter the body, they can cause mesothelioma and other life-threatening diseases 10-50 years later.

Key Facts for Asbestos on Amphibious Warships

Health risks: Mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, and other asbestos diseases
High-risk areas: Engine and boiler rooms
High-risk jobs: Machinists, pipefitters, boiler tenders, shipbuilders, and welders
Uses: Adhesives, gaskets, fireproofing materials, pipe insulation, paints, pumps, and valves

Mesothelioma Hope can help veterans with mesothelioma from asbestos on amphibious warships access VA benefits, connect with mesothelioma specialists, and more.

Get started by downloading our Free Veterans Compensation Guide.

List of Navy Amphibious Warships That Used Asbestos Products

Over 570 amphibious warships commissioned by the U.S. Navy were built with asbestos-containing products.

Navy amphibious warships that contained asbestos included:

USS Freestone
USS Gallatin
USS Greene
USS Haines
USS Herbert
USS Hubbard
USS Ira Jeffery
USS Iwo Jima
USS Jenks
USS Joseph T. Dickman
USS Julius A. Raven
USS Kingsbury
USS Knox
USS Knudson
USS Lacerta
USS Laurens
USS Lenawee
USS Magoffin
USS McFarland
USS Mercer
USS Navarro
USS Noble
USS Okanogan
USS Oxford
USS Pocono
USS Pondera
USS Raleigh
USS Randall
USS Sandoval
USS Sims
USS Taconic
USS Teton
USS Todd
USS Union
USS Uvalde
USS Vancouver
USS Virgo
USS Weiss
USS Williamson
USS Wyandot

This is not a complete list — many other amphibious warships had asbestos materials onboard. Use our Navy ship search below to find out if any naval ships you served on contained asbestos.

Why Did the U.S. Navy Use Asbestos on Amphibious Warships?

The U.S. Navy used asbestos to build and maintain amphibious warships since these materials were strong, light, and could withstand high temperatures.

Did You Know?

The health risks associated with asbestos were not fully understood at the time because private manufacturers hid the health risks.

By the early 1980s, the Navy had stopped using asbestos on amphibious warships and other vessels due to mounting evidence of the dangers. Major renovation projects remove asbestos from these and most other Navy ships.

Sadly, these safety measures came too late for many U.S. Navy veterans who had already been exposed to asbestos on amphibious warships.

Asbestos Products Found on Navy Amphibious Warships

Thousands of asbestos products were used in the construction, repair, and maintenance of Navy amphibious warships and other Navy ships due to their fireproofing and insulation properties.

These asbestos products included:

Adhesives
Deck and hull coverings
Electrical equipment and wiring
Fireproofing materials
Gaskets
Insulation
Paints
Pipes
Sealants
Valves

Veterans who worked with or in the vicinity of these materials before the early 1980s may have breathed in or swallowed microscopic fibers, causing them to develop asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma today.

Call (866) 608-8933 right now to see if Mesothelioma Hope can help you access military benefits and seek financial compensation for asbestos on amphibious warships.

Who Was at Risk of Asbestos on Amphibious Warships?

Asbestos exposure on amphibious warships was widespread, putting countless crew members in danger.

However, those who worked certain jobs may have come in contact with asbestos on a daily basis.

High-risk Navy amphibious warship jobs included:

Boiler room workers
Electricians
Engine room workers
Insulators
Machinists
Mechanics
Pipefitters and plumbers
Welders

Shipyard workers who built, repaired, and renovated amphibious warships also had a high risk of asbestos exposure.

Compensation for Veterans Exposed to Asbestos on Amphibious Warships

Former military service members with mesothelioma from asbestos on amphibious warships may be eligible for compensation from several sources.

Learn more about mesothelioma compensation options below.

VA Benefits

Veterans with mesothelioma may be entitled to benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), including tax-free disability compensation of over $4,000 a month.

Other VA benefits include:

Free or low-cost VA health care
In-home care
Pensions
Survivor benefits

Mesothelioma Hope works with VA-accredited attorneys who can help you file for VA benefits or increase your existing benefits.

Get our Free Veterans Compensation Guide right now to take the first step toward the compensation you deserve.

Mesothelioma Lawsuits

Mesothelioma lawsuits award over $1 million on average, which can be used to help pay for medical care, living expenses, and unexpected costs.

If a loved one has passed away from an asbestos-related disease, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim to pursue compensation for lingering medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, and pain and suffering.

These lawsuits are filed against companies that manufactured asbestos products without warning of the dangers of asbestos. The military or government is never sued, and taking legal action does not impact your right to VA benefits.

Contact our Patient Advocates to see if we can help you pursue compensation from a mesothelioma lawsuit.

Asbestos Trust Funds

There’s an estimated $30 billion sitting in bankruptcy trusts created by asbestos companies that wanted to stay in business but avoid lawsuits.

Navy personnel who developed mesothelioma from asbestos on amphibious warships may be able to access money from multiple asbestos trust funds, maximizing their potential payout.

Asbestos trust fund claims don’t require you to appear in court, and many veterans get their first payouts in 90 days or less.

Find out if you can access asbestos trust fund money right now.

Settlement Amounts for Asbestos on Amphibious Warships

Nearly all mesothelioma lawsuits settle out of court, providing asbestos victims with quicker access to much-needed compensation.

While the average mesothelioma lawsuit settlement is over $1 million, our partner law firm, Simmons Hanly Conroy, has recovered much larger payouts for many veterans.

Settlements for veterans exposed to asbestos on amphibious warships includes:

$3.84 million for a Navy machinist mate from Illinois with peritoneal mesothelioma after serving on the USS Point Defiance
$3.78 million to a Pennsylvania Navy veteran with mesothelioma who was a gunner’s mate on the USS Lloyd S Carlson and USS David Stone
$2.98 million for a Navy veteran from West Virginia who developed pleural mesothelioma after spending time aboard the USS Valley Forge
$2.7 million to an Arizona Navy veteran who worked as an electrician’s mate on the USS Hamul, USS Lea, and USS Duluth before developing pleural mesothelioma
$2.69 million for a Kansas Marine veteran with mesothelioma who spent 4 months on the USS Sumter doing electrical repairs

Seeking help from a VA-accredited lawyer specializing in asbestos-related claims can help veterans navigate the complex legal process.

Get a free case review to learn about your legal options if you were harmed by asbestos on amphibious warships.

Help for Veterans With Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma Hope is proud to help amphibious warship veterans who got sick after bravely serving our country.

Our team of Patient Advocates, VA-accredited claims agents, and asbestos attorneys are dedicated to supporting you and your family during this difficult time.

They can help you:

File for VA disability benefits worth over $4,000 per month
Connect with top doctors in the VA health care system
Seek legal compensation averaging over $1 million

Call (866) 608-8933 right now or request our Free Veterans Compensation Guide to get started.

Asbestos on Amphibious Warships FAQs

When did they stop using asbestos on ships?

The U.S. Navy stopped building Navy ships with asbestos in the 1980s when the dangers became public knowledge.

However, Navy veterans who were exposed before this time could still be at risk today since asbestos-related cancers take 10-50 years to form.

Call (866) 608-8933 for help if you or a loved one has mesothelioma and served on a Navy ship with asbestos.

Is asbestos used on ships?

Yes, the Navy relied on thousands of asbestos products for most of the 20th century to keep its fleet seaworthy. As a result, many veterans are diagnosed with mesothelioma and other life-threatening illnesses each year.

Most U.S. Navy ships, including amphibious warships, no longer contain asbestos in the present day. If they do, the asbestos has been sealed so it doesn’t threaten human health.

Which Navy ships have asbestos?

Hundreds of Navy vessels built before the early 1980s had asbestos.

The USS McFarland, USS Okanogan
USS Oxford, and USS Raleigh were just a few of many amphibious warships that used asbestos.

When did they stop using asbestos on Navy ships?

The U.S. Navy stopped using asbestos on amphibious warships and other naval vessels in the early 1980s when the health risks became widely known.

Sadly, millions of service members and their families had already been exposed, increasing their risk of developing mesothelioma and other serious diseases later in life.

Can you sue the Navy for asbestos exposure?

No, it’s not possible to sue the U.S. Navy for asbestos exposure. However, if you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, you may be able to take legal action against the companies that made or sold the products that made you sick.

Mesothelioma lawsuits award over $1 million on average, and most patients are able to secure compensation without going to court.

Get a free case review now to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.

Can you get VA benefits for asbestos exposure on amphibious warships?

Yes, veterans exposed to asbestos on an amphibious warship or other Navy vessels may be eligible for VA benefits if they’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos disease.

These benefits may include:

Disability compensation worth almost $4,000 a month
Free or low-cost health care
Pensions
Survivor benefits

Call (866) 608-8933 to see if our VA-accredited claims agents can help you file for benefits or increase your current benefits.

Is asbestos still used on ships?

Asbestos is only used on a very small handful of vessels in the present day.

In these cases, the ships were built before the risks were known and the asbestos aboard doesn’t pose a threat to human health.