Asbestos in Navy Shipyards
At Risk Occupations
Navy Mesothelioma & Asbestos Exposure Lawyers
Every sailor who served on a Navy vessel prior to the mid-1980s was likely exposed to asbestos in any number of ways. Asbestos-containing thermal insulation was used throughout naval ships in, and on, steam piping, propulsion equipment, and mechanical equipment. Further, boilers, turbines, pumps, valves, compressors, and steam traps, for example, were not only insulated but also utilized asbestos gaskets and packing on their seals and internal parts. These asbestos products were located in boiler rooms, engineering spaces, living and sleeping quarters, corridors, and common areas. A general lack of protective gear during this time further increased the danger of exposure to asbestos fibers that were inhaled or ingested unknowingly by sailors.
While any individual can contract mesothelioma from asbestos exposure, those who served in the U.S. Navy are particularly vulnerable due to their direct, continual contact with asbestos during their service in confined spaces aboard ships. The effects of this contact can be seen in Navy veterans today who are suffering from mesothelioma cancer and other health problems related to their asbestos exposure decades ago, especially if they served before the military implemented regulations to reduce risks for new generations of service members.
SWMW Law is a nationally recognized trial practice that’s recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for Navy veterans and other victims who developed serious diseases after being exposed to asbestos. If you have questions about your rights and legal options, we want to help.
Call (855) 744-2656 or contact us online to discuss your legal options today.
How Were Navy Veterans Exposed to Asbestos?
Naval personnel, and particularly those performing maintenance and repair tasks on equipment, pipes, and fittings, were especially vulnerable to asbestos exposure due to its widespread use by the Navy in ships and shipyards. Asbestos was valued for its fireproofing properties and resilience against corrosion and was used across many applications and in a wide variety of industries, especially naval ships.
Industrial and commercial electricians often worked in pipe racks alongside asbestos-insulated pipes, resulting in massive exposures to asbestos. Installing, repairing, or maintaining electrical equipment regularly exposed electricians to asbestos on their clothes and in their lungs.
According to military records, nearly every ship commissioned by the U.S. Navy between 1930 and 1970 contained several tons of asbestos insultation. These ships – which included everything from aircraft carriers and auxiliary ships to battleships, cruisers, destroyers, minesweepers, submarines, and more – also contained tons of asbestos, such as insulation, fireproofing, gaskets, and packing in other components and equipment both above and below deck, such as turbines, boilers, pumps, valves, engines, bulkheads, deck coatings, and paint, to name just a few examples.
Sailors who served on these ships would have been exposed to high concentrations of deadly asbestos fibers, especially if they had jobs which required them to work directly with asbestos-containing materials or disturb those materials while conducting preventative maintenance or emergent repairs. And because the often-cramped confines and lack of air circulation on these vessels enabled asbestos particles to amass in areas where servicemen worked and rested, even sailors who did not directly handle asbestos were still likely exposed.
Products on Navy ships that contained asbestos during this time:
Thermal Pipe and Block Insulation
Insulating Cements
Refractory Products
Pumps
Valves
Steam Traps
Gaskets
Packing
Boilers
Turbines
Generators
Compressors
Grinders
Engines and Motors
Electrical Equipment
Insulated Millboard and Paneling
Paint, Adhesives
Floor Tiles and Deck Covering
Because asbestos-laden materials were pervasive in Naval ships, the toxic substance could also be found in abundance in Navy shipyards. Any U.S. Navy personnel who frequented or worked in these shipyards could have been exposed, with those who were involved in building, servicing, rehabilitating and overhauling, or decommissioning these ships facing the greatest exposure risks.
Hunter’s Point Naval Shipyard
Newport News Naval Shipyard
Norfolk Naval Shipyard
Navy Occupations with the Highest Asbestos Exposure Risks
Boiler Technician
Engineman
Fireman
Pipefitter
Insulator
Machinist Mate
Electrician’s Mate
Boatswain’s Mate
Welder
Shipfitter
Seaman
Communications Technician / Radioman
Hull Maintenance Technician
Civilians Exposed to Asbestos on Navy Ships
How Asbestos Exposure Can Cause Mesothelioma in U.S. Navy Veterans
Symptoms of mesothelioma often do not appear until decades after initial exposure, which makes detecting and treating the disease even more difficult. Those affected by this illness may suffer from extreme chest pain, difficulty breathing, fatigue, and coughing up blood, or fluid accumulation in the lungs. Therefore, it is important for Navy veterans who served in recent decades to be aware of these symptoms and get frequent medical screenings, as early detection can lead to a better prognosis.
Because the risks of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases are so pronounced for Navy veterans, there are programs designed to monitor the health of former service members. This includes the Asbestos Medical Surveillance Program (AMSP), which was first established by the U.S. Navy in the late 1970s to monitor the health of service members and civilian personnel who had been exposed to asbestos.
This program has proven invaluable for veterans who have encountered asbestos during their time in service, as it offers proactive medical care to diagnose mesothelioma early when more treatment options are available and provides a documented record of exposure that can assist them in getting VA benefits if they develop an asbestos-related illness. In addition to providing regular screenings and medical examinations, AMSP also provides educational resources on how to identify signs and symptoms of asbestos-related diseases and conducts research into asbestos exposure risks.
Aid and Attendance Payments (also known as “Household Benefits”)
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (death benefits)
Caregiver Benefits
Geriatric and Extended Care
Compensation for Mesothelioma Through Litigation
Civil personal injury lawsuits brought against solvent companies responsible for producing asbestos products; and
Claims filed with asbestos bankruptcy trust funds established specifically to compensate victims of asbestos exposure.
SWMW Law is an award-winning trial practice with a reputation for helping victims of mesothelioma and asbestos exposure in the fight for justice. Backed by top-rated attorneys, we’ve recovered more than $750 million in compensation for our clients and have helped countless Navy veterans and military families nationwide.
We are ready to fight for you and your family. Schedule a free initial consultation by calling (855) 744-2656 or contacting us online.
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