Thank-You to Our Veterans. And a special recognition to those who have developed mesothelioma as a result of their service.

Our deepest gratitude goes out to all military Veterans who so valiantly served our country, not just on this Veteran’s Day, but every day. Our men and women in uniform deserve the utmost respect for the sacrifices they make for the rest of us, which is why it’s so painful to learn that one of their gravest injuries was, by and large, preventable. We are referring to asbestos exposure, which has led to hundreds of mesothelioma diagnoses among our Veterans.

Our clients include veterans from all branches of the military, and we are honored when they share their stories—and sometimes their photos and mementos—with us. “While it is an honor to help these veterans and their families work through the process of litigating asbestos claims, it is also disheartening to know that because of their dedication and service, many veterans will continue to develop asbestos-related diseases every year,” says Partner Mike McCann, one of our experienced mesothelioma and lung cancer attorneys. 

One-Third of All Mesothelioma Victims are Veterans

Shockingly, 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 Corps, Air Force, Merchant Marines, and Army National Guard may also have been exposed to asbestos, leading to mesothelioma. 

In fact, asbestos was so prevalent among Navy veterans that nearly every ship commissioned by the United States Navy between 1930 and 1970 contained several tons of asbestos insulation in the engine room, along the miles of pipe aboard ship, and in the walls and doors that required fireproofing.

Not only was asbestos found onboard the ships, it was also in the brakes and engines of Air Force and Naval aircrafts, land vehicles, and in many other products. These products had to be maintained and repaired on a regular basis and this work, often performed in cramped and dusty quarters, released asbestos fibers into the atmosphere, which could have been breathed in by anyone working in the nearby area. It was that dust that, decades later, has caused so many veterans to suffer from asbestos-related illnesses, including those who worked as:

• machinist mates
• firemen / boiler tenders
• electricians
• aviation technicians
• mechanics
• pilots and crew
• vehicle and heavy equipment mechanics
• land-based construction and maintenance teams
• seabees
• and others who worked in confined spaces 

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 were operating. Asbestos-containing products include:

• boilers
• pumps
• valves
• pipe and pipe systems
• turbine generators
• main propulsion turbines
• ship’s service generators
• deck coverings
• steam systems
• and much more

Read more about Veterans and asbestos exposure on our website and see below for a list of Navy ships on which asbestos exposure was prevalent.

Call an Experienced Mesothelioma Attorney Today

If you or a loved one is a Veteran who has developed mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure, call us for a free consultation about whether you may be entitled to compensation. 

Note: We pursue compensation from the manufacturers of the asbestos-containing products that injured our veterans, not from the government or the military.

We will take the time to explain the process from beginning to end, setting realistic expectations and timelines. If you are unable to come to our offices due to health or other reasons, we will come to you to listen to your story and tell you honestly if we think you have a viable claim. We have helped hundreds of individuals and families obtain justice for their injuries, regularly obtaining settlements and verdicts in the millions. And you will never pay unless we deliver results for you.