Navy veterans and civilian staff at Mare Island Naval Shipyard for many years were exposed to toxic substances like asbestos, sometimes on a daily basis. Toxic asbestos exposure was common and is now known to lead to severe health problems including mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer.
Navy veterans and other Mare Island workers are likely to develop asbestos-related cancers and illnesses due to the exposure of asbestos materials and the nature of the work in poorly ventilated areas like submarine holds, engine rooms and boiler rooms.
The Navy used many fire-resistant and durable asbestos products that included insulation in the following areas of vessels:
- Piping
- Boilers
- Paneling
- Adhesives
- Valves
- Pumps
- Motors
- Gaskets
- Flooring
Joe Lyon is a highly-rated asbestos exposure attorney and Navy veterans mesothelioma lawyer representing plaintiffs nationwide in a wide variety of toxic tort and Mare Island veteran asbestos cancer claims.
Mare Island Asbestos Cancer Lawsuits
Veterans of Mare Island Shipyard have a right to file a toxic exposure claim and file for VA disability after falling ill with a number of conditions. Filing a personal injury claim in addition to a VA claim is prudent, and may require the assistance of an attorney. Contact our legal team to review your case.
Vets make up about a third of new mesothelioma cancer cases because millions of American servicemen were stationed and worked in areas with a large amount of asbestos.
Why Were Navy Veterans at High Risk?
Because the Navy used asbestos to fireproof ships and shipyards. All Navy veterans were at risk of exposure because asbestos products were so widely used on Naval vessels.
Navy personnel who performed maintenance and repaired equipment, pipes and pumps faced the highest levels of exposure. Welders, pipefitters and laggers were at serious risk. The Navy had a very high demand for asbestos products for the fire-resisting properties alone and poor ventilation on vessels endangered Navy veterans and civilian workers. Chronic or acute exposure to asbestos may cause diseases like mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. Asbestosis and mesothelioma can take decades to develop.
Almost all Navy veterans who served from the 1930s until the 1980s were potentially exposed to asbestos materials, many that were deteriorating and worn, posing a significant threat. Only in 1975 did the Navy discontinue the use of asbestos products in ships, but asbestos remained for many years after. Types of Naval ships containing asbestos products included:
- Destroyers
- Battleships
- Carriers
- Submarines
- Cruisers
- Frigates
- Patrol boats
A recent study has concluded that Navy veterans and other shipbuilders are still at an increased risk of developing mesothelioma and lung cancer. Any Mare Island workers who spent time in boiler rooms, engine rooms, or worked as welders, laggers and pipefitters were at a significant cancer risk.
