Naval workers and veterans in America’s shipyards for many years were exposed to toxic substances like asbestos, sometimes on a daily basis. Toxic VA asbestos exposure was common and is known to lead to severe health problems including mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer.
Navy veterans and shipyard workers were many times more likely to develop asbestos-related cancers and illness due to the exposure of asbestos materials and the nature of the work in poorly ventilated areas like ship holds, engine rooms and boiler rooms.
The Navy used many fire-resistant and durable asbestos products that included insulation in the following areas of a ship:
- Piping
- Boilers
- Paneling
- Adhesives
- Valves
- Pumps
- Motors
- Gaskets
- Flooring
Joe Lyon is a highly-rated VA asbestos exposure attorney and Navy veterans mesothelioma lawyer representing plaintiffs nationwide in a wide variety of toxic tort and Navy veteran asbestos cancer claims.
VA Asbestos Cancer Lawsuits
America’s veterans have been placed in compromising situations for much of the last century. But beyond the field of combat, servicemen and women have a right to expect some level of comfort and safety. Unfortunately, even away from the battlefield, veterans in the Navy and other military arms were surrounded by toxic materials.
Veterans have a right to file a toxic exposure lawsuit and file for VA disability for several reasons, and after falling ill with a number of conditions. Toxins and chemicals used in the Navy can vary, though can include the following:
Navy Veterans Mesothelioma
The Navy had a very high demand for asbestos products for the fire-resisting properties alone. But poor ventilation in boats and vessels endangered Navy veterans and civilian workers alike. 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
- Cruisers
- Frigates
- Patrol boats
A recent study has indicated that Navy veterans and other shipbuilders are at an increased risk of developing mesothelioma and lung cancer. Any workers who spent time in boiler rooms, engine rooms, or worked as welders, renovators and pipefitters were at a significant cancer risk.
