Asbestos Exposure in Navy Veterans

Veterans of the United States Navy and Marine Corp constitute a large percentage of Americans diagnosed with Mesothelioma, Lung Cancer and Asbestosis every year. Because Asbestos is a good insulator it was used in naval ships, aircraft, and submarines; in fact, Asbestos was used on virtually every ship built from the 1930s to 1978. Asbestos was used in pipe insulation, as gasket and packing material in pumps/valves, and in blanket insulation around boilers, turbines and generators.

Occupations with high exposure to Asbestos:

Any job rating that required working below deck also would have a regular high exposure to Asbestos; such as: Boiler Tender, Engine Mechanic, Fireman, Boilerman, or Shipfitter. But it is important to note that there are hundreds of naval occupations that have significant exposure. For example, any sailor who participated in a drydock period and either worked on the ship or bunked on the ship while it was being overhauled would be exposed.

Am I at risk?

Just because you were exposed to Asbestos does not necessarily mean that you will develop a problem: it means that your doctor should keep that in mind in the course of your general care. Therefore, if you were a sailor or marine on a ship built before 1980, it is a good idea to inform your physician of that work history. Please feel free to call us if you have any questions about a biopsy or a diagnosis of cancer in your lungs or digestive track. We may be able to pursue a claim for you based on your exposure to Asbestos.

No claims are filed against the Navy. Individuals and family members of deceased veterans oftentimes qualify to receive compensation without filing a lawsuit. Over $18 Billion has been set aside in trusts to compensate veterans and their families.

We appreciate your service to our country and we welcome questions relating to specific ships, shipyards or bases.