Navy and military asbestos screener

Legal information only. This tool identifies common military asbestos exposure risks for educational purposes. It doesn't constitute legal or medical advice. Military mesothelioma cases involve both VA benefits and civil lawsuit claims - always consult a licensed mesothelioma attorney. See our full disclaimer.

Military asbestos exposure screener

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Service era Asbestos use peaked in military applications during WWII through the early 1970s.

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Military mesothelioma cases can pursue both VA benefits and a civil lawsuit simultaneously. An attorney will evaluate both paths at no cost. No fee unless you win.

VA benefits and a civil lawsuit are separate - getting one doesn't prevent the other.

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Why military veterans are at high mesothelioma risk

From the 1930s through the mid-1970s, the U.S. military used asbestos in virtually every application where fire resistance and insulation were needed. Ships, barracks, vehicles, aircraft, and military bases all contained asbestos-laden materials. The Navy was by far the heaviest user.

Navy ships built before 1980 were essentially floating asbestos environments. Insulation, pipe covering, boiler lagging, deck tile, paint, gaskets, and valve packing all contained asbestos. The confined spaces below decks concentrated asbestos fibers to levels far exceeding anything found in civilian workplaces. Veterans who served in boiler rooms, engine rooms, and ship repair facilities faced the most intense exposures.

VA benefits vs. civil lawsuit

These are 2 completely separate legal paths and veterans can pursue both. VA disability compensation comes from the Department of Veterans Affairs and is based on service connection - proving the disease is linked to military service. Civil lawsuits target the private manufacturers who supplied the asbestos products to the military. The government has sovereign immunity, so manufacturers are the defendants in civil cases.

VA benefits are typically $1,000 to $3,500 per month depending on disability rating. A civil lawsuit settlement averages $1 million to $2.4 million. Getting VA benefits doesn't reduce your civil lawsuit recovery. Use the VA disability claim screener for VA benefit eligibility and the mesothelioma case evaluator for civil lawsuit viability.

Asbestos on military bases

Veterans who never served aboard ships still face significant asbestos exposure risks. Military barracks built before 1980 used asbestos floor tiles, ceiling tiles, pipe insulation, and roofing. Mechanics working on military vehicles encountered asbestos brake pads and gaskets. Aircraft maintenance personnel dealt with asbestos in engine components, brake systems, and heat shields.

Use the asbestos product identifier to find specific products used in military applications and the asbestos exposure timeline builder to document your full service history for your attorney.

Camp Lejeune

Veterans and family members who lived or worked at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 have a separate legal claim for water contamination exposure under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act. This is distinct from asbestos exposure claims. See the Camp Lejeune water claim screener if this applies to you.

Frequently asked questions

No. The U.S. government has sovereign immunity, meaning it can't be sued for asbestos exposure in military settings. But the manufacturers who supplied the asbestos products to the military can be sued. These private companies - including insulation manufacturers, shipbuilders, and equipment suppliers - are the defendants in military mesothelioma cases. Many have already set up asbestos trust funds that veterans can claim from.

No. VA disability benefits and civil mesothelioma lawsuits are entirely separate processes. Filing a VA claim doesn't bar you from suing manufacturers, and receiving VA benefits doesn't reduce your lawsuit recovery. Many veterans pursue both simultaneously. Your attorney can coordinate both tracks and often handles the VA claim as part of the overall representation.

Your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) is the most important document. It shows your service dates, branch, MOS or rating, and duty stations. Military medical records and ship deck logs can also help establish exposure history. Your attorney's investigators can request records directly from the National Archives and National Personnel Records Center. Don't worry if your records are incomplete - investigators have other methods to establish service history.

Surviving spouses and family members can file both a VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) claim and a civil wrongful death lawsuit. The DIC benefit pays surviving spouses a monthly amount for the rest of their life. The wrongful death lawsuit can recover significant additional compensation from manufacturers. Both can be filed even years after the veteran's death. See the wrongful death claim intake for more detail.

Some states have special statutes or expedited court procedures for veteran mesothelioma cases. California allows trial preference motions for seriously ill plaintiffs, which can accelerate cases to trial within 120 days. Several states have enacted veteran-specific asbestos litigation rules. Your attorney will know the procedures available in your jurisdiction.