If someone you know is a US military veteran, chances are high they’ve been exposed to dangerous amounts of asbestos during their career. Asbestos exposure often causes the development of mesothelioma and other cancers. Nearly one-third of all mesothelioma victims in the country are Veterans, most of whom served in the Navy at the time they were exposed. Veterans serving in the Army, Marine Corp, Air Force, Merchant Marines, and Army National Guard may also have been affected by unacceptable levels of asbestos exposure leading to mesothelioma. Until the mid-1970s, almost all ships built by the United States Navy were constructed with materials that contained asbestos. Even if they didn’t work with these materials directly, the closed environment of the ship meant that almost all personnel were in close contact with the asbestos dust and particles in the air. The same is true for land-based Armed Forces, where asbestos was regularly used in the construction and operation of military bases and facilities. Veterans across Massachusetts have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and deserve aggressive, experienced representation to seek compensation for their suffering.
Note: We pursue compensation from the manufacturers of the asbestos-containing products that injured our veterans, not from the government or the military.
Our clients include: Machinist mates, firemen, boiler tenders, aviation technicians, mechanics, pilots and crew, and others who worked in confined spaces, as well as vehicle and heavy equipment mechanics, land-based construction and maintenance teams, Seabees, and many other types of veterans. Scroll down to see a list of ships on which asbestos use was widespread.
How Were They Exposed?
The use of products containing asbestos occurred on ships, in shipyards, in aircraft maintenance, motor pools, construction battalions, land and ship-based maintenance, heavy equipment, and almost anywhere that the Armed Forces was operating. Asbestos-containing products include:
- Boilers
- Pumps
- Valves
- Pipe and pipe systems
- Turbine generators
- Main Propulsion Turbines
- Ship’s Service Generators
- Deaerating Tanks
- Galley equipment
- Laundry equipment
- Wallboard
- Ceiling tiles
- Automobile and truck brakes
- Heavy equipment (construction)
- Steam systems
- Power generation
- Deck coverings
- Adhesives
- Cables and wire
- Protective equipment (gloves, aprons, clothing, masks)
If you, or a loved one, is a veteran in Massachusetts who has developed mesothelioma, we encourage you to reach out to us right away for a free case evaluation to learn whether you might be entitled to compensation. Shepard O’Donnell has successfully litigated hundreds of asbestos-related cases, often resulting in life-changing verdicts or settlements for our clients.
