Mesothelioma Lawyers for Asbestos Claims From U.S. Navy Ships
For decades, asbestos was used heavily in the construction and maintenance of U.S. Navy ships, putting sailors and shipyard workers at risk. Asbestos is a toxic mineral that can lead to serious diseases like mesothelioma and lung cancer. Understanding where asbestos was used and how sailors were exposed is the first step in getting justice.
Last Updated
July 23, 2024
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Legally Edited and Fact-Checked by:
Daniel L. Braverman, Founding Attorney, Braver Law
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Get the Compensation You Deserve
We've recovered $100+ million in compensation for clients nationwide. Find fair compensation and file a claim, with first payment in as little as 90 days.
Get the Compensation You Deserve
Our VA-accredited lawyers have recovered $100+ million in compensation for clients nationwide. We help veterans file claims, with first payment in as little as 90 days.
Get the Compensation You Deserve
Our lawyers have recovered $100+ million in compensation for clients nationwide. We file claims with with no upfront costs and a free case review.
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"If you have lung cancer or mesothelioma, don’t assume that you do not have a case. Go ahead and contact Braver Law. They know exactly what needs to be done to win your case."
- Osvaldo P , Miami, FL
Asbestos: A Deadly Threat Below Deck
Asbestos was valued in shipbuilding for its heat resistance, affordability, and strength. It was used extensively in Navy ships built between 1930 and the 1970s. Pipe insulation, boilers, engines, walls, ceilings, floors, and more contained asbestos. As a result, asbestos fibers were released into the air and inhaled by sailors, especially in confined spaces. This constant exposure put them at risk for developing mesothelioma, a deadly cancer affecting the lining of the lungs, abdomen, heart, or testicles.
The Navy's Use of Asbestos
The Navy relied heavily on asbestos, using it in thousands of parts and materials aboard its ships. Asbestos was found in:
- Insulation around pipes, boilers, steam lines, and hot water lines
- Fireproofing materials
- Gaskets, packing, seals, and adhesives
- Brakes, clutches, and electrical wiring insulation
- Wall and ceiling panels
- Flooring, cement, and plastic fixtures
- Valves, gauges, evaporators, and distillers
- Soap and paint used onboard
Pipe lagging and insulation were especially hazardous, since repairing or removing damaged insulation released large amounts of asbestos fibers into the air.
Hotspots for Asbestos Exposure
Since asbestos was used everywhere on Navy ships, most sailors were exposed to it to some degree. However, those who worked in certain high-risk areas faced greater exposure:
Engine Rooms: These contained boilers, turbines, evaporators, steam pipes, and other equipment insulated with asbestos. The confined space increased inhalation exposure.
Fire Rooms: These contained asbestos insulation, gaskets, and fireproofing materials. Frequent repairs stirred up asbestos.
Machinery Rooms: These contained equipment like pumps and compressors protected with asbestos insulation.
Living Quarters: Asbestos was used in decking, walls, and ceilings. Pipe insulation could release fibers.
Navy Minesweepers: Extremely high asbestos exposure happened on these smaller, congested ships.
Ship Repair Yards: Workers who repaired and refurbished Navy ships also faced asbestos exposure risks.
Our Mesothelioma Lawyers Get Justice for Navy Veterans
If you served in the U.S. Navy and later developed mesothelioma or lung cancer, you may be eligible for compensation through legal claims against asbestos manufacturers, claims with asbestos bankruptcy trusts and VA benefits.. An experienced mesothelioma law firm can help you understand your options, and the lawyers at Braver Law are ready to help with your case.
Don't wait to get help. Contact our mesothelioma lawyers today for a free case evaluation and learn how we can fight on your behalf. Justice and compensation can't bring back your health, but it can ease the financial burden on you and your family. You served our country honorably - let us serve you now.
The People Behind the Machines: High-Risk Navy Jobs
Hundreds of thousands of sailors served aboard U.S. Navy ships where asbestos exposure was prevalent. Those who worked closest to asbestos-containing equipment and materials faced the greatest risks. These high-risk occupations included:
- Machinist's Mates: These sailors worked throughout the ship's engine rooms and machinery spaces maintaining engines, condensers, purifiers, and evaporators insulated with asbestos.
- Boiler Technicians: These workers operated and repaired boilers containing asbestos insulation, gaskets, cement, and other materials. Frequent rip-outs exposed them to asbestos.
- Damage Controlmen: These sailors fought fires and controlled damage from casualties like flooding. Their repair work exposed them to asbestos in piping, boilers, and structural components.
- Construction Mechanics: These workers built, repaired, and renovated ships and facilities. Handling asbestos insulation, roofing, siding, and other materials posed exposure risks.
- Electrician's Mates: These sailors maintained electrical systems containing asbestos wiring, fuse box, and circuit breaker insulation. Rewiring disturbed asbestos materials.
- Pipefitters: These workers cut, threaded, and fit pipes covered in asbestos insulation. Sawing and sealing pipes released asbestos dust and fibers.
Though these veterans faced some of the greatest risks, asbestos exposure didn't discriminate. Any sailor serving between 1930 and the 1970s was likely exposed to some degree.
Compensation Options for Navy Veterans with the Help of Mesothelioma Lawyers
Navy veterans diagnosed with an asbestos disease like mesothelioma have legal options to pursue compensation. This can help cover medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses that arise after diagnosis. Compensation may be available from:
Asbestos Trust Funds - Companies that manufactured asbestos set up trusts to pay victims. Veterans may qualify for hundreds of thousands of dollars in compensation.
VA Disability - Veterans can file for VA benefits for health conditions related to asbestos exposure during service.
Lawsuits - You can file a lawsuit against companies that made asbestos products used on Navy ships. Successful suits often result in million-dollar+ verdicts.
It's critical to explore your options as soon as possible after diagnosis. A mesothelioma lawyer can help maximize your compensation so you can focus on your health.
Braver Law’s Mesothelioma Lawyers Will Fight for Those Who Served
Our network of asbestos attorneys has helped thousands of veterans with asbestos diseases get justice and compensation. We understand how to build a strong case by:
- Pinpointing asbestos exposures on ships using your service records, testimonies from fellow sailors, and our asbestos product databases.
- Working with medical experts to prove your disease was caused by asbestos exposure during your Navy service.
- Determining all potential sources of compensation and vigorously pursuing them on your behalf.
- Handling negotiations and litigation so you don't have to deal with complex legal processes.
- Ensuring you receive full and fair compensation in a timely manner.
Our mesothelioma lawyers help veterans through every step of the claims process to get the VA benefits they earned.
Put our experience fighting for veterans with asbestos diseases to work for you. Contact us for a free, no-obligation case review and learn more about how we can help. The time to act is now.
Frequently Asked Questions About Asbestos on U.S. Navy Ships
I served on a Navy ship. Could I have been exposed to asbestos?
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Yes, if you served aboard a Navy ship - especially before the 1980s - it's very likely you inhaled asbestos fibers. Asbestos was extensively used as insulation and fireproofing on ships. Any work disrupting those materials could release asbestos into the air.
Which Navy ships had the most asbestos?
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Some of the highest exposures occurred on older ships, like WWII-era vessels. These included destroyers, aircraft carriers, battleships, cruisers, submarines, and merchant marine ships. Smaller, cramped ships like minesweepers also posed high risks.
What types of shipboard equipment contained asbestos?
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Asbestos was found in pipe and boiler insulation, gaskets, valves, pumps, engines, turbines, wiring, walls, flooring, brakes, clutches, and more. Any equipment requiring insulation or fireproofing likely contained asbestos.
Were engine rooms and boiler rooms high-risk?
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Yes. These areas relied heavily on asbestos insulation to protect hot pipes, boilers, and machinery. Removing damaged insulation here released plumes of asbestos into the air. Those working in these confined spaces faced risky exposures.
Could asbestos exposure cause cancer decades later?
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Yes. Mesothelioma has a long latency period of 10-50 years. That's why asbestos-related cancers are often not diagnosed until decades after exposure occurred. Don't assume it's too late to act if you develop cancer many years after your Navy service.
What should I do if I have mesothelioma?
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First focus on your treatment options by consulting mesothelioma specialists. Also, make sure to learn your legal options. You may qualify for VA benefits and compensation from asbestos trusts or lawsuits. Speaking with a mesothelioma law firm can help you understand what options are available.
How can a law firm help me and my family?
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Experienced mesothelioma attorneys assist by investigating your exposure history, identifying all sources of compensation, handling legal filings, and maximizing your settlement. This protects Navy veterans and their loved ones at a vulnerable time. Focus on your health - let our mesothelioma lawyers handle your claim.