01. Benefits & Compensation
Benefits for Navy Veterans With Mesothelioma
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers financial compensation, healthcare and other benefits to U.S. Navy veterans with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
Navy veterans who develop an illness or injury as a result of asbestos exposure while serving in the military are eligible for these VA benefits.
Many veterans are diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of the Navy’s history of heavy asbestos use. Although all military branches used asbestos, reports suggest Navy veterans are among the most at risk of developing mesothelioma or other asbestos diseases.
Compensation for Navy Veterans Impacted by Asbestos Exposure
Navy veterans exposed to asbestos in the military and later develop a disease, such as mesothelioma or asbestos-related lung cancer, may be eligible for compensation. Navy veterans may receive compensation benefits by filing a VA claim.
For veterans with mesothelioma or lung cancer, VA disability compensation payments start at about $3,100 each month.
Learn More About How to File a VA Claim
Navy veterans may also pursue compensation by filing a lawsuit against companies that supplied the military with asbestos products. These lawsuits have an average mesothelioma settlement payout of $1 million – $1.4 million. A dedicated mesothelioma law firm can help you get the largest possible settlement.
Navy veterans may also consider filing an asbestos trust fund claim. These funds are created by asbestos companies to pay current and future asbestos-exposure victims.
Learn More About Other Legal Options for Veterans
Other Benefits for Navy Veterans
Loved ones of Navy veterans with mesothelioma may also be eligible for compensation through VA claims. Spouses and surviving family members may qualify for dependency and indemnity compensation or special monthly compensation. In these cases, family members would receive financial aid.
Surviving family members may also be eligible to file a legal asbestos claim against those responsible for asbestos exposure, such as a mesothelioma lawsuit or asbestos trust fund.
Along with financial benefits, the VA also offers healthcare benefits for Veterans. These benefits can help veterans receive mesothelioma treatment.
Through VA treatment centers, Navy veterans may receive cost-free treatment and services. These services may range from regular checkups to specialized cancer care.
Resources for Mesothelioma Patients
02. Asbestos on Ships & Shipyards
Asbestos Exposure in the Navy
Navy service members faced frequent asbestos exposure. The Navy, as well as other military branches, used asbestos products until around 1980. In one study, researchers reported the Navy began using asbestos as early as the 1880s.
Asbestos was often used by the military as a fireproofing material. Navy service members handled raw asbestos and worked with asbestos-containing products. The Navy’s widespread use of asbestos led to exposure on Navy ships and in shipyards.
For many decades, the Navy did not acknowledge the health effects of asbestos. In the 1940s, government agencies began creating some guidelines for exposure limits. At the same time, medical researchers continued to explore the health impacts. However, Navy service members took little precaution to protect themselves from inhaling asbestos fibers.
When Did the Navy Stop Using Asbestos?
Until the late 1970s, asbestos was used in the construction and repair of Navy ships. By 1985, most uses of asbestos were eliminated.
As a result, Navy veterans continued to face high exposure risks until the Navy stopped using asbestos.
Families of Navy shipyard workers also experienced secondary asbestos exposure. Service members often returned home with contaminated clothing. Family members could inhale the microscopic asbestos fibers and later develop an asbestos-related illness.
Asbestos Exposure Aboard Navy Ships
Navy service members aboard ships were at risk of asbestos exposure in their everyday line of work. Asbestos could potentially be found in every part area of naval vessels from the 1930s through the late 1970s. As a result, Navy veterans with various occupations risked exposure through their duties on the ships.
Some occupations most at risk for asbestos exposure aboard Navy vessels include:
- Culinary workers
- Electricians
- Gunner’s mate
- Machinists
- Medical staff
- Navy builders
- Pipefitters
- Submarine workers
- Technicians
- Welders
Navy personnel and other ship workers may have come into contact with asbestos-containing materials throughout the ship.
Some of the most common asbestos materials used in shipbuilding include:
- Adhesives
- Block insulation
- Boilers
- Filters
- Gaskets
- Insulation
- Packing
- Pipe insulation
- Pumps
- Ventilation ducts
These asbestos-containing materials could most commonly be found in storage rooms, boiler rooms, engine rooms and pump rooms. These rooms contained high-heat machinery.
Poor ventilation and tight quarters aboard Navy ships caused asbestos fibers to be easily transferred. As a result, asbestos fibers could also be found in sleeping quarters, cafeterias, mess halls and common areas.
These conditions affected service members on a variety of Navy vessels. Asbestos products were integrated into many different types of Navy ships.
Types of Navy Vessels Built With Asbestos
- Aircraft carriers
- Amphibious warships
- Battleships
- Cruisers
- Destroyers
- Destroyer escorts
- Escort carriers
- Frigates
- Merchant Marine ships
- Minesweepers
- Submarines
The Navy continued to build vessels with asbestos products until the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) regulations in the 1970s. These asbestos laws set exposure limits for many industries.
By this time, the impacts of occupational asbestos exposure were well known. As a result, the Navy began substituting materials for asbestos.
Asbestos Exposure Among Merchant Marines
Merchant Marines are a supplemental branch of the U.S. Navy. They serve on merchant ships and vessels. Merchant Marines faced asbestos exposure while serving on asbestos-ridden ships.
Merchant Marines are technically civilians and do not qualify for many VA benefits. However, under the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 1998, Merchant Marines who served in World War II may qualify for VA benefits.
Learn More About Merchant Marines and Asbestos
Despite discontinuing the use of asbestos on Navy ships in the 1970s, the mineral may still be found in some vessels today.
Asbestos Exposure in Navy Shipyards
Navy ships were built with many asbestos products. As a result, shipyard workers frequently experienced asbestos exposure while building, repairing and retiring ships.
Workers were often responsible for cutting and sawing raw asbestos for pipe insulation, gaskets and other uses in Navy shipyards. When asbestos-containing products were cut, airborne asbestos could be easily inhaled.
Shipyard workers and shipbuilders were not protected from potential asbestos exposure. Beginning in the 1940s, the Navy began documenting the connection between asbestos and respiratory illnesses. However, shipyard workers continued to handle asbestos without adequate protection for decades.
03. Veterans’ Mesothelioma Risk
Mesothelioma Risk Among Navy Veterans
Many Navy veterans are at risk of developing mesothelioma due to military asbestos exposure. Military veterans, including Navy veterans, make up approximately 30% of all mesothelioma cases.
The Navy is believed to have used asbestos more than any other branch in the military. As a result, Navy veterans are among the highest at-risk groups for developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
Past uses of asbestos continue to create a risk for veterans. Older ships may still contain asbestos components, and asbestos materials may still be found in shipyards.
The latency period of mesothelioma ranges from 10 – 50 years. Navy veterans may be diagnosed with mesothelioma decades after initial exposure.
The health impacts of asbestos on Navy servicemen and shipyard workers were first documented in 1942. Dr. Phillip Drinker, Chief Health Consultant to the US Maritime Commission, studied the health of shipyard workers.
Dr. Drinker’s study details the health risks among shipyard workers at the Bath Iron Works shipyard. Since his study, the long-term health impacts among Navy veterans have been strongly documented.
Navy veterans who may have experienced asbestos exposure should talk to their doctor. A medical professional can help come up with a plan to monitor for any signs of asbestos disease and aid early detection.
04. Mesothelioma Prevention
Continued Support for Navy Service Members and Veterans
There are programs in place to protect the health of current Navy service members and Navy veterans. These programs aim to prevent Navy personnel from being exposed to asbestos and to monitor the health of Navy veterans.
OSHA’s National Emphasis Program (NEP) on Shipbreaking: OSHA developed this program to mandate inspections and other practices to limit asbestos in shipyards. OSHA conducts joint inspections with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to identify asbestos products and other environmental contaminants.
The program aims to remove asbestos from high-maintenance areas and protect workers from the dangers of asbestos.
The Asbestos Medical Surveillance Program (AMSP): The Navy created this program to maintain records of service members who have faced occupational asbestos exposure. Doctors conduct chest X-rays and perform lung tests to monitor the health of those who were exposed to asbestos in the military.
This program aims to detect mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases early. Although some Navy veterans may have already been exposed to asbestos, early detection is crucial.
Early detection allows Navy veterans with mesothelioma to start treatment sooner. Starting treatment early is the best way to potentially improve prognosis for mesothelioma patients.