About 33% of all mesothelioma victims are Veterans of the United States military.

If you were in the United States Navy, you were more than likely exposed to large amounts of asbestos. Asbestos was used heavily all throughout US Navy ships, putting anyone on the ship at risk for developing an asbestos-related disease, such as mesothelioma, later in life. When work was done to repair different parts of a ship, asbestos dust would be released into the air, putting those in the surrounding environment as risk. There was asbestos both above and below deck, as it was used on a variety of equipment. Some of the more common places that asbestos was used were pumps, valves, pipes, and boilers. There was asbestos insulation covering the pipes that ran throughout the ships. 

If you are a Navy veteran and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, the main cause is most likely due to your time in the service. Our team of specialists is very familiar with working with Navy Veterans and has represented many former service members. It is important to note that if a case were to be pursued, the US Navy would not be sued. There are a variety of avenues to pursue this type of asbestos case. 

The companies that manufactured the products used on the ships can be sued, if they are still in business. If a person living with mesothelioma wishes to file a claim, a personal injury claim can be made by filing a lawsuit against the company or companies that are responsible for the asbestos exposure. This would help cover the cost of things like lost wages and medical expenses. If a company is no longer in business, a claim can be filed through an asbestos bankruptcy trust. Read more about this on our page about asbestos trust funds. 

Veterans can also receive benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs if they have proof of an asbestos-related disease and can link it to their time in the service. Wrongful death claims can also be made by the family of someone who has passed away due to an asbestos-related disease.