Military Asbestos Exposure

Military asbestos exposure occurs when individuals come into contact with asbestos fibers while serving in the U.S. armed forces. Civilians who worked on military bases can also be exposed.

Asbestos is a fibrous mineral found in the environment. It does not conduct electricity and is naturally resistant to heat, fire and chemicals. Because of these properties, asbestos was once widely used in numerous products, building materials and military applications. For many years, it was even mandated for inclusion in certain military applications.

Asbestos exposure in the military is an exposure risk for nearly all service-related and civil occupations. Asbestos is also present in many military facilities.

Some veterans were exposed through contact with damaged buildings while serving in Iraq and other countries. Veterans, their families and civilians who lived and worked on military bases were also at risk for exposure.

There is a risk of military asbestos exposure in the following jobs:

• Carpentry
• Construction
• Demolition of old buildings
• Milling
• Mining
• Shipyard work

Veterans and civilians who made the following products may also have been exposed:

• Cement sheets
• Clutch facings and brake linings (also called friction products)
• Flooring
• Insulation
• Pipes
• Roofing

Other common sources of asbestos exposure include:

• Air Force asbestos exposure via Air Force facilities
• Army asbestos exposure via bases and vehicles
• Navy asbestos exposure via shipyards and naval vessels
• Marine Corps asbestos exposure via deployments and military facilities

Exposure spotlight: asbestos aboard ships

Navy service members are at particularly high risk for military asbestos exposure because of its widespread use in shipbuilding. For much of the 20th century, the military required the use of asbestos in Navy ships due to its insulating properties.

Asbestos was especially prevalent in the Navy during World War II. Asbestos was used to cover pipes and ventilation ducts on ships and could be found aboard vessels in gaskets, filters, boilers, machinery parts, bulkhead panels and plastic materials., WWII naval destroyers carried up to 24 to 30 long tons (approximately 54,000 to 67,000 pounds) of asbestos-containing thermal insulation per ship. Asbestos-containing ships are still in service today.

Navy sailors both live and work aboard ships, so their exposure to asbestos goes beyond what other workers would experience during a typical eight-hour workday. Studies reveal that this high rate of exposure has led to an increased risk of mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases among sailors. One study found that the proportional mortality rate from asbestosis for former shipyard workers is 16 times higher than the average for other occupations.

If you or someone you love developed an asbestos-related illness after serving in the Navy, Motley Rice can speak with you about seeking a Navy asbestos settlement.

Asbestos exposure is linked to severe respiratory conditions and the development of several types of cancer.

Health conditions caused by asbestos exposure include:

• Asbestosis: Asbestosis is a chronic respiratory condition caused by breathing in asbestos fibers. These fibers scar the lungs, resulting in permanent damage.
• Lung cancer: Asbestos is recognized as a human carcinogen by leading organizations, including the EPA, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the International Agency for Research on Cancer. The substance has been linked to an increased risk of developing lung cancer. It is also linked to the development of other types of cancer, including cancer of the larynx (voice box), pharynx (throat), stomach and colon.
• Mesothelioma: Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that causes tumor growth in the thin layer of tissue that covers internal organs. Mesothelioma most commonly affects the tissue surrounding the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) and the belly (peritoneal mesothelioma). However, it can also occur in tissue around the heart (pericardial mesothelioma) and the testicles. Asbestos exposure is the primary cause of pleural mesothelioma.

Asbestos-related diseases have a long latency period, taking between 10 to 40 years to develop. Veterans experiencing symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain or persistent coughing should speak to a doctor about their potential asbestos exposure history.

Individuals and families harmed by military asbestos exposure may have several options for seeking compensation. These include bankruptcy trust claims and asbestos lawsuits.

Trust claims and lawsuits are not filed against the government or armed forces. They are filed against the manufacturers of the asbestos-containing products.

Another potential avenue for compensation are U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) asbestos exposure claims. VA claims are separate from any legal actions taken. However, veterans’ claims and personal injury, wrongful death or product liability lawsuits can be pursued simultaneously.

VA benefits for asbestos exposure

The VA recognizes that mesothelioma, asbestosis and other cancers can develop from asbestos exposure. The VA also recognizes that veterans may have been exposed through active-duty service or military occupation.

To be eligible for VA benefits, veterans must prove that:

• They had contact with asbestos while serving in the military.
• They have a health condition linked to asbestos exposure.

Veterans who qualify and receive a disability rating may be eligible for VA health care, in addition to monthly disability compensation. Veterans may also be eligible for benefits under the PACT Act. This act, which went into effect in March 2024, expands VA benefits for service members who suffered toxic exposures while in the military.

Motley Rice does not handle VA claims. Our attorneys can help you explore your options for seeking compensation through additional legal avenues.

Asbestos lawsuits

Veterans and civilian workers may be eligible to file civil lawsuits against companies involved with asbestos products for the military. Motley Rice may be able to assist with military asbestos exposure cases involving:

• Asbestos product manufacturers
• Asbestos mining companies
• Asbestos distributors and suppliers
• Construction companies
• Manufacturers of asbestos safety equipment
• Property owners
• Shipbuilding companies

Asbestos bankruptcy funds

Over 100 companies that used asbestos and have since gone bankrupt have established asbestos trust funds. These funds compensate victims on a sliding scale based on the severity of their asbestos-related disease.

Military veterans could be eligible for trust fund compensation depending on their exposure history and medical diagnosis. Motley Rice can advise servicemembers and civilians on these types of claims.

What jobs in the military had the most asbestos exposure?

Some jobs in the military have a higher risk of asbestos exposure than others. For example, asbestos in the navy is common because of its use in shipyards and shipbuilding materials. Boiler room exposure is also common due to the presence of asbestos in pipes and insulation.

Other military occupations are subject to a high rate of asbestos exposure, too, including:

• Building demolition
• Carpentry
• Construction
• Milling
• Mining

Can I sue for asbestos exposure in the military?

Yes. You cannot sue the military itself, but you may file lawsuits against asbestos manufacturers and other companies involved with asbestos products. You may also be able to seek an asbestos settlement through asbestos trust funds.

How do I prove asbestos exposure for VA benefits?

VA asbestos exposure is presumptive. This means that the VA presumes that certain asbestos-related conditions, like mesothelioma, are service-connected. Therefore, veterans do not always have to prove direct exposure.

You will need to show that you have an asbestos-related diagnosis and worked in an occupation or active-duty area that put you at risk. You must provide the VA with your military service records and medical records.

What are the symptoms of asbestos-related diseases?

Symptoms of asbestos-related diseases, including asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma, can take decades to develop. Common symptoms include:

• Chest pains
• Fatigue
• Painful or persistent coughing
• Shortness of breath
• Unintended weight loss

See a doctor immediately if you develop signs of an asbestos-related condition.

For decades, Motley Rice has been a leader in asbestos litigation. Our firm has helped to uncover corporate knowledge of the dangers of asbestos and hold companies accountable. We serve clients nationwide and handle asbestos-related personal injury, wrongful death and product liability claims. Our experience includes cases involving:

• Asbestos in Canada
• Asbestos-related diseases
• Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA)
• Household exposure to asbestos
• Merchant Marines
• Secondhand asbestos exposure

You may be eligible for an asbestos lawsuit if you have an asbestos-related disease and suffered military asbestos exposure while serving or working in the armed forces or living on a military base. A Motley Rice asbestos attorney can discuss your legal options. Contact our team by filling out our online form or calling 1.800.768.4026.

Read more on our asbestos exposure litigation experience.