Of all U.S. military branches, the Navy used the highest amounts of asbestos. Asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer. We can help U.S. Navy veterans with mesothelioma access or increase VA benefits, find treatments, and seek compensation.
For much of the 20th century, asbestos was used in Navy ships and bases for fireproofing and durability. This put many Navy veterans at risk of mesothelioma later in life.
Navy Veterans and Mesothelioma Quick Facts
Almost all U.S. Navy ships used asbestos from the 1930s to the early 1980s
Manufacturers of asbestos products hid the health risks from Navy personnel
Roughly 1 in 3 mesothelioma patients is a Navy veteran or shipyard worker
Navy veterans with mesothelioma often receive $4,044.91 or more a month from military benefits
Mesothelioma lawyers for U.S. Navy veterans often secure $1 million+ through legal claims
With our help, eligible Navy veterans with mesothelioma can pursue U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits, treatments, and legal compensation.
Get a Free Veterans Packet now to see how we can assist you or a veteran you love.
Asbestos in Navy ships also put military shipyard workers at a very high risk of exposure. These service members removed, installed, and repaired asbestos products every day.
“The large group most threatened is the 4.5 million people who worked in World War II shipyards, where asbestos dust was so pervasive that one often could not see across a room.”
— The New York Times
Breathing protection wasn’t provided until the late 1970s, so many shipbuilders experienced Navy asbestos exposure on a daily basis before this time.
Hear From U.S. Mesothelioma Navy Veterans
Though mesothelioma is rare, many other U.S. Navy veterans have battled this cancer. Hear from some of these veterans and know that you’re not alone in your fight.
Walter Twidwell
During a 20-year military career, Walter Twidwell was exposed to asbestos on Navy ships and later developed mesothelioma. With help from mesothelioma attorneys, Walter secured over $40 million in compensation.
Video Summary: Military veteran Walt talks about his time in the U.S. Navy, being diagnosed with mesothelioma, and filing a mesothelioma claim.
View Transcript
The word mesothelioma I didn’t know anything about. When I turned 70 I started getting pneumonia, but then as time went on they kept getting closer and closer and closer together [the occurrences] and I asked the doctor, I said, I wanna know why.
And they sent me downstairs to get a chest X-ray and the X-ray made it back before I got back up there.
He says, we're gonna go inside and take a look. He come up right to my bedside after the operation and showed me the pictures they took on the inside of the lung and he pointed out the cancer.
I really can’t explain it. I got a knot in my stomach, you know. But he told me then that there was no cure for it.
I was impressed by the Navy – seeing my uncle in that Navy uniform, you know – take pictures of him. So I just decided when I come outta school that I was gonna join the Navy.
I was very proud of that uniform. I was a boiler tender when I went aboard my first ship and started doing my first job. They told me — I asked them what the material was made out of and they told me it was asbestos.
It didn’t kill anybody on the spot that’s for sure, but it took years later when it started catching up with us. But, my understanding [is] that the powers-that-be knew.
I didn’t wanna sue my government and I damn sure didn’t wanna sue the Navy cause they're still feeding me. I wasn’t suing the government, I wasn’t suing the U.S. Navy, I was suing the manufacturer.
It was only 2 or 3 days and he was here [the lawyer]. He came and seen me, talked to me personally. He knew what kind of a man I was and how involved I was with my job in the Navy. Felt very comfortable with them. I was watching the way they handled it, they did good.
[It was] positive thinking, there was nothing negative about it, it was positive. They were prepared, they could go back to day 1, and I appreciated that. There was no guessing about it, they had the paperwork to back them up.
It was a hands-on approach I guess, and that’s what drew me. Cause that’s the way I do things – a hands-on approach. They damn well earned it.
Jim Gahan
While in the Navy, Jim Gahan worked on boilers laced with asbestos. Given just months to live after a mesothelioma diagnosis, Jim fought the cancer for more than a year and filed a lawsuit to afford his treatment.
Frank Curre
Frank Curre was just out of high school when he survived the attack on Pearl Harbor but was exposed to asbestos in the process. On the 70th anniversary of the attack, Frank passed away from mesothelioma.
Albert Manring
A proud U.S. Navy veteran, Albert was exposed to asbestos as an electrician. He was later diagnosed with mesothelioma and took legal action to hold manufacturers of asbestos products accountable.
Where Was Asbestos Found on Navy Ships?
A wide assortment of asbestos-containing products were used to keep U.S. Navy ships fireproof and durable.
Asbestos-containing materials could be found in:
Berthing
Boiler rooms
Bulkheads
Deck flooring
Engine rooms
Gaskets
Insulation
Machinery
Pipe lagging
Pumps
Seals
Tanks
Valves and flanges
The image below shows the areas on Navy vessels where asbestos could be found.
When was asbestos removed from Navy ships? Major renovations removed most asbestos-containing materials from Navy ships in the early 1980s. However, there was no way to lower the risk of mesothelioma in service members already exposed.
U.S. Navy Occupations With High Asbestos Exposure Risk
Many U.S. military rates (jobs) put service members at risk of asbestos exposure on Navy ships. Some Navy rates required U.S. military veterans to work with or around asbestos every day.
High-risk mesothelioma Navy jobs included:
Boiler technicians
Damage controllers
Electrician’s mates
Gunner’s mates
Hull maintenance technicians (HTs)
Machinist’s mates
Merchant marines
Metalsmiths
Pipefitters
Seabees
Get ourFree Veterans Packet to learn how you can pursue benefits and compensation if you were diagnosed with mesothelioma after serving in the Navy.
Family members who lived on U.S. Navy bases also may have been exposed to asbestos through secondhand exposure.
This occurred when Navy personnel came home covered in asbestos fibers, which could stick to clothing and skin. Family members who hugged a service member or did their laundry risked exposure as a result.
Navy base housing and construction sites also put loved ones at risk if fibers were disturbed and entered the air.
Mesothelioma Navy Compensation and Benefits
There are several ways U.S. Navy veterans can seek mesothelioma compensation, including VA benefits, lawsuits, and asbestos trust fund payouts.
Learn more about benefits and financial compensation options for mesothelioma Navy veterans and their families below.
Mesothelioma Navy VA Benefits
Mesothelioma VA benefits like disability compensation can help cover lost wages and caregiver expenses.
Married veterans can receive $4,044.91 each month or more from VA disability benefits since mesothelioma is a 100% disability.
We can help eligible Navy mesothelioma veterans file for or increase their VA benefits for free right now.
Navy veterans may be able to file lawsuits against companies that made or sold the asbestos-containing products that made them sick. Mesothelioma lawsuits award $1 million or more in many cases.
Navy mesothelioma lawsuit payouts our legal partners have secured include:
$40.1 million
to a Washington Navy veteran
$1.55 million
for an Illinois Navy veteran
$4 million
to a Massachusetts Navy veteran
$1.83 million
for an Arizona Navy veteran
$2 million
to a North Carolina Navy veteran
$3.5 million
to a Wisconsin Navy veteran
$3.15 million
to a Minnesota Navy veteran
$3.78 million
to a Pennsylvania Navy veteran
$4 million
to a Kansas Navy veteran
$4.68 million
for a New Hampshire Navy veteran
Almost all mesothelioma lawsuits end in out-of-court settlements, allowing families to get compensation without going to court.
The military and government are not sued, and you can still pursue VA benefits in addition to mesothelioma Navy settlements. Get a free case review to find out if you qualify to file a Navy mesothelioma lawsuit.
Asbestos Trust Funds
Asbestos trust funds were set up by bankrupt asbestos companies to pay victims. There’s an estimated $30 billion still available in these trusts today.
Our legal partners can help you file claims with any asbestos trust funds that you qualify for, as well as lawsuits and VA benefits claims.
Treatment and Health Care for Mesothelioma Navy Veterans
Mesothelioma Navy veterans can access low-cost or free treatment with VA health care benefits. Top mesothelioma doctors serve Navy veterans as part of the VA health care system.
Dr. Wiener leads the thoracic surgery team at the Boston VA. Dr. Wiener is highly experienced and a Harvard Medical School Assistant Professor.
Call (877) 450-8973 for help finding specialists who may be able to treat you or a loved one who served in the Navy.
Get Help Accessing Mesothelioma Navy Benefits
U.S. Navy veterans fighting mesothelioma deserve to get benefits, health care, and justice after a diagnosis. The Mesothelioma Veterans Center can help.
Pursue lawsuit compensation worth $1 million+ on average
Our patient advocates and VA-accredited attorneys can quickly assist you or an eligible Navy veteran with mesothelioma.
Call (877) 450-8973 now to find out if we can help you pursue the justice and compensation you deserve.
Mesothelioma and Navy Veterans FAQs
What is the VA rating for mesothelioma?
The VA typically grants a 100% disability rating for mesothelioma. This rating allows veterans to get disability payouts typically worth $4,044.91 each month, as well as free or low-cost health care coverage.
Our team can help you file a VA claim or increase your VA disability rating to 100% after a mesothelioma diagnosis.
Can you sue the Navy for mesothelioma?
You can’t sue the U.S. Navy after a mesothelioma diagnosis. However, you can work with a mesothelioma lawyer to file lawsuits against manufacturers of asbestos-containing products, which hid the risks for decades.
These lawsuits award $1 million or more on average, and won’t impact your VA benefits. Get a free case review to find out if you qualify to file a lawsuit.
Do Navy ships still have asbestos?
A very small number of U.S. Navy ships still use some asbestos products, like the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, USS Mount Whitney, and USS Nimitz.
However, the asbestos on these ships is contained and doesn’t pose a risk to human health.
Most U.S. Navy veterans with mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos before the dangers were known to the public.
What is the average payout for mesothelioma?
U.S. Navy veterans with mesothelioma may qualify for $4,044.91 a month or more through VA benefits and over $1 million on average in legal compensation.
Our mesothelioma law firm can help eligible veterans secure lawsuit compensation and access VA benefits too.
Why do veterans get mesothelioma?
U.S. Navy veterans get mesothelioma since the military relied on asbestos products between the 1930s and early 1980s.
Asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma, and many veterans were exposed to this mineral every day. Manufacturers of asbestos products knew the health risks for decades but hid them from service members.
What is the Navy settlement for mesothelioma?
An out-of-court settlement allows Navy veterans to get mesothelioma legal compensation without a trial. You may possibly receive $1 million or more from mesothelioma settlements.
Navy settlements and verdicts our legal partners have secured include:
$40.1 million to a veteran from Washington
$4 million to a veteran from Kansas
$3.5 million to a veteran from Wisconsin
$4 million to a veteran from Massachusetts
Contact our team now to learn if you may be eligible to pursue Navy mesothelioma settlements.
When did the U.S. Navy stop using asbestos?
The U.S. Navy stopped using asbestos aboard new ships in the early 1980s. Massive renovation projects also removed as much asbestos as possible from older U.S. Navy ships.
However, millions of U.S. Navy veterans had been exposed to asbestos before the dangers were widely known. As a result, Navy veterans make up 33% of all mesothelioma cases today.
What if I was exposed to asbestos in the Navy?
If you were exposed to asbestos while you served in the Navy, keep a close watch on your health.
See a doctor if you develop symptoms of mesothelioma, like shortness of breath or chest pain, and let them know if you were exposed. Mesothelioma is more treatable if you’re diagnosed before the cancer spreads.
The Mesothelioma Veterans Center has no affiliation with and is not endorsed or sponsored by Dr. Robert B. Cameron. The contact information above is listed for informational purposes only. You have the right to contact Dr. Cameron directly.
Eric P.W. Hall is a VA-accredited attorney, U.S. Marine Corps veteran, and a legal advisor at the Mesothelioma Veterans Center. He also served as a Judge Advocate General (JAG) in the U.S. Air Force Reserves. Eric considers it his duty to help his veteran family and strives to help them navigate the VA and receive the benefits they bravely earned. Major Hall is currently not available for individual consultation, as he has returned to active duty in his continued service to our country.
Christopher Dryfoos is a journalist and member of the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA). As the grandson of the U.S. Navy’s first forensic pathologist, he aims to help veterans with mesothelioma access needed care.
