U.S. Navy veterans who served aboard ships built before the 1980s were often exposed to asbestos without being warned of the risks. For decades, asbestos was widely used throughout naval vessels in insulation, boilers, pipes, and other critical components.
Because of this widespread use, many veterans who later developed mesothelioma, asbestos lung cancer, or other asbestos-related diseases were unknowingly exposed during their service. Symptoms may not appear for 20 to 50 years, meaning many veterans are only now being diagnosed.
If you or a loved one served in the U.S. Navy and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or asbestos lung cancer, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit and receive compensation.
Veterans with symptoms of an asbestos-related disease may also qualify to receive a free asbestos health exam courtesy of our law firm.
For more information about scheduling your free exam or to start your claim today, contact the asbestos lawyers at Hissey Mulderig & Friend by calling our office toll-free at 1-855-500-3734, or send us a message using our free claims submission form on the left side of this page.
Why Asbestos Exposure Was So Common on U.S. Navy Ships
For much of the twentieth century, asbestos was considered essential for shipbuilding due to its heat resistance and fireproofing properties. As a result, nearly all U.S. Navy ships built between World War II and the late 1970s contained asbestos materials.
Asbestos was used throughout Navy ships, including:
- Engine and boiler rooms
- Sleeping quarters
- Pipes, valves, and pumps
- Electrical systems and insulation
In these enclosed environments, asbestos fibers could easily become airborne and be inhaled by sailors and workers onboard.
U.S. Navy Ship Types Linked to Asbestos Exposure
If you served on one of the following types of ships, you may have been exposed to asbestos:
Aircraft Carriers
Aircraft carriers used during World War II, Korea, and Vietnam were heavily insulated with asbestos to withstand extreme heat and combat conditions. Veterans who served onboard these ships may face an increased risk of mesothelioma or lung cancer. Read more…
Amphibious Ships
Amphibious vessels used to transport tanks and troops were often built with asbestos materials in insulation and mechanical systems, exposing crew members during deployment and maintenance. Read more…
Auxiliary Ships
Auxiliary ships supported naval operations by transporting fuel, supplies, and equipment. Many older vessels in this category contained asbestos components that put crew members at risk. Read more…
Battleships
Battleships contained extensive asbestos insulation in boilers, engines, and weapons systems. Thousands of veterans who served on these ships may have been exposed. Read more…
Coast Guard Cutters
Coast Guard cutters used in military operations and patrol missions were also constructed with asbestos materials, creating long-term exposure risks for service members. Read more…
Cruisers
Cruisers played a major role in combat operations and often contained asbestos in insulation and machinery systems throughout the ship. Read more…
Destroyers
Destroyers built before the 1980s frequently contained asbestos in engine rooms, boiler systems, and living quarters, exposing sailors during daily operations. Read more…
Destroyer Escorts
Destroyer escorts used during World War II were built with asbestos-containing materials before the dangers were widely understood, putting veterans at risk decades later. Read more…
Dock Landing Ships
Dock landing ships used to deploy amphibious vehicles often contained asbestos insulation and components, exposing crew members during operations and maintenance. Read more…
Escort Carriers
Escort carriers built during World War II were constructed with asbestos materials, placing veterans who served onboard at risk for asbestos-related diseases. Read more…
Frigates
Frigates built in the decades following World War II often contained asbestos in insulation and mechanical systems, exposing sailors during routine duties. Read more…
Minesweepers
Minesweepers used to clear naval pathways frequently contained asbestos materials that exposed crew members working in confined areas. Read more…
Submarines
Submarines built before asbestos regulations were implemented contained high concentrations of asbestos in tight, poorly ventilated spaces, increasing exposure risks for submariners. Read more…
Who May Qualify for a Navy Asbestos Lawsuit
You or your family may be eligible to file an asbestos claim if:
- You served on a U.S. Navy ship or Merchant Marines vessel before 1982
- You worked in Navy shipyards or maintained naval vessels
- You were diagnosed with mesothelioma or asbestos lung cancer
- You are the surviving spouse or adult child of an exposed naval veteran
Veterans typically do not sue the Navy itself. Instead, lawsuits are filed against the companies that manufactured or supplied asbestos-containing materials used on these ships.
Compensation Available to Navy Veterans and Families
Navy veterans and their family members who have been affected by an asbestos-related illness may be eligible to receive compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Family losses in wrongful death cases
Because asbestos diseases often develop decades after exposure, many veterans are only now discovering they may qualify for legal action.
Find Out If You Qualify for Free Asbestos Testing or Compensation
If you or a loved one served aboard a U.S. Navy ship and were later diagnosed with mesothelioma or asbestos lung cancer, you may be eligible to take legal action and receive compensation.
Veterans who believe they may have developed symptoms of mesothelioma or lung cancer from asbestos exposure can also receive a free asbestos health exam courtesy of our law firm to check for an asbestos-related condition.
The lawyers at Hissey Mulderig & Friend work on a strict contingency basis. This means that you and your family will never have to pay legal fees or other costs associated with filing an asbestos lawsuit unless our firm is able to successfully recover damages in your case.
Find out whether you qualify to file an asbestos lawsuit, schedule your free asbestos health exam, or start the process of filing your claim today by calling Hissey Mulderig & Friend toll-free at 1-855-500-3734.
You can also contact us online by sending us a message using our free asbestos claims submission form, located at the top of this page.
