You Served Your Country. Now Let Your Country Help You.
You raised your right hand and took an oath. You served on a ship, in a shipyard, or on a naval base. You worked in engine rooms, boiler rooms, or pipe shops. You did your job without complaint. You did not know that every day you were breathing in tiny asbestos fibers. No one told you it was dangerous. No one warned you.
Now, decades later, you are sick. Shortness of breath. A cough that will not go away. Chest pain. Maybe you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis.
You are not alone. Thousands of Navy veterans have been diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases. The Navy used more asbestos than any other branch of the military. Ships built before the 1980s were filled with asbestos from bow to stern.
This guide is for you. You will learn why the Navy used so much asbestos, which jobs and ships had the highest exposure, what diseases are caused by asbestos, how to get VA benefits, how to file legal claims, and how to get the financial compensation you deserve. No complicated language. No confusion. Just clear, honest information to help you and your family.
Why the Navy Used So Much Asbestos
Asbestos was used extensively by the Navy for decades. Why? Because it was the perfect material for ships.
Asbestos is strong. It can withstand high temperatures. It does not burn. It is resistant to saltwater corrosion. It is an excellent insulator. And it was cheap.
On a ship, fire is the greatest danger. A fire at sea can be a death sentence. Asbestos was used to fireproof every part of the ship. It was used in engine rooms, boiler rooms, and fuel storage areas. It was used to insulate pipes, boilers, and turbines. It was used in gaskets, valves, pumps, and packing materials. It was used in wall panels, ceiling tiles, and floor tiles. It was used in electrical wiring, brake pads, and clutch plates.
Every ship built between the 1930s and the early 1980s was filled with asbestos. Thousands of tons of asbestos on a single ship.
The Navy knew asbestos was dangerous. They had studies showing the risks. But they kept using it anyway. They did not warn the sailors. They did not provide protective equipment. They did not train sailors on how to work safely with asbestos.
That was wrong. And the law says the Navy and the companies that made asbestos products must pay for the harm they caused.
Which Navy Jobs Had the Highest Asbestos Exposure?
Every sailor on a ship was exposed to asbestos. But some jobs had much higher exposure than others.
Boiler Tenders
Boiler tenders worked directly with boilers that were insulated with asbestos. They worked in boiler rooms where asbestos fibers were constantly in the air. They repaired and maintained boilers, disturbing the asbestos insulation. This is one of the highest-risk jobs.
Machinist’s Mates
Machinist’s mates worked on engines, pumps, and other machinery. They replaced gaskets and packing materials that contained asbestos. They worked in confined spaces where asbestos fibers accumulated. Their exposure was extremely high.
Pipefitters and Pipefitter Mates
Pipefitters worked on pipes throughout the ship. The pipes were insulated with asbestos. When they cut, removed, or repaired pipes, they released asbestos fibers into the air. They also worked with asbestos gaskets and packing.
Enginemen
Enginemen worked in engine rooms and fire rooms. They operated and maintained engines, boilers, and auxiliary equipment. They were surrounded by asbestos every single day.
Electrician’s Mates
Electrician’s mates worked with electrical wiring that was insulated with asbestos. They cut and stripped wires, releasing asbestos fibers. They also worked in confined spaces where asbestos exposure was high.
Hull Maintenance Technicians
Hull maintenance technicians repaired and maintained the ship’s structure. They worked with asbestos-containing materials used in bulkheads, decks, and other structural components.
Insulators
Insulators were responsible for installing and repairing insulation throughout the ship. Much of that insulation contained asbestos. This job had probably the highest asbestos exposure of all.
Shipyard Workers
Shipyard workers built, repaired, and maintained ships. They worked with asbestos every day. Welders, pipefitters, electricians, insulators, carpenters, and laborers were all exposed. Even office workers and storekeepers in shipyards were exposed to asbestos fibers in the air.
Damage Controlmen
Damage controlmen responded to emergencies on the ship, including fires. When fires damaged asbestos-containing materials, they were exposed to high levels of asbestos fibers.
Which Navy Ships Had Asbestos?
Almost every ship built before the 1980s contained asbestos. This includes:
- Aircraft carriers (Essex-class, Midway-class, Forrestal-class, Kitty Hawk-class, Enterprise-class, Nimitz-class)
- Battleships (Iowa-class, South Dakota-class, North Carolina-class)
- Cruisers (Baltimore-class, Cleveland-class, Des Moines-class, Boston-class)
- Destroyers (Fletcher-class, Allen M. Sumner-class, Gearing-class, Forrest Sherman-class)
- Frigates (Knox-class, Oliver Hazard Perry-class)
- Submarines (Gato-class, Balao-class, Los Angeles-class, George Washington-class)
- Amphibious assault ships (Iwo Jima-class, Tarawa-class)
- Auxiliary ships (tankers, supply ships, repair ships, tenders)
If you served on any ship built before the early 1980s, you were exposed to asbestos. The age of the ship matters more than the type. Older ships had more asbestos.
What If You Never Served on a Ship?
Many Navy veterans were exposed to asbestos even if they never set foot on a ship.
Shipyard workers: You worked in shipyards building, repairing, or maintaining ships. The shipyards themselves were filled with asbestos.
Shore-based personnel: You worked in naval bases, barracks, offices, and other facilities that contained asbestos in insulation, flooring, ceiling tiles, and wall panels.
Aviation personnel: You worked on aircraft that contained asbestos in brake pads, gaskets, and insulation.
Support personnel: You worked in any capacity on a naval base. Asbestos was everywhere.
If you served in the Navy, you were exposed. Period.
Asbestos-Related Diseases in Navy Veterans
The same asbestos diseases that affect civilian workers also affect Navy veterans.
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart. Almost every case of mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. Navy veterans have one of the highest rates of mesothelioma of any group.
Lung Cancer from Asbestos
Asbestos causes lung cancer. If you were exposed to asbestos and also smoked, your risk is 50 to 90 times higher than someone who did neither. Many Navy veterans have developed lung cancer from their asbestos exposure.
Asbestosis
Asbestosis is a serious lung disease caused by scarring from asbestos fibers. It causes shortness of breath that gets worse over time. There is no cure.
Pleural Plaques and Thickening
These are non-cancerous conditions that affect the lining of the lungs. They are a sign that you have been exposed to asbestos. They can cause chest pain and shortness of breath.
VA Benefits for Navy Veterans with Asbestos Disease
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recognizes asbestos-related diseases as service-connected conditions for Navy veterans who were exposed to asbestos during their service.
VA Disability Compensation
If you have a service-connected asbestos-related disease, you may receive monthly tax-free disability payments. The amount depends on how disabled you are.
For 2025, a single veteran with a 100 percent disability rating receives over $3,800 per month. Veterans with mesothelioma almost always receive a 100 percent rating.
VA Health Care
Veterans with service-connected asbestos diseases are eligible for free health care at VA hospitals and clinics. This includes doctor visits, hospital stays, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy.
How to Apply for VA Benefits
You can apply online at VA.gov, by mail, or in person at a VA regional office. You will need:
- Your military discharge papers (DD214)
- Medical records showing your diagnosis
- Evidence of asbestos exposure during your service
A Veterans Service Officer (VSO) can help you with your application for free. Contact the American Legion, VFW, or DAV.
Legal Rights: Compensation from Asbestos Companies
In addition to VA benefits, you may also be entitled to compensation from the companies that made the asbestos products that caused your disease.
The Navy did not make asbestos. They bought it from private companies. Companies like Johns-Manville, Owens Corning, W.R. Grace, Pittsburgh Corning, and many others.
These companies knew asbestos was dangerous. They hid the truth. They kept selling asbestos to the Navy. They put your life at risk.
The law says they must pay.
Asbestos Bankruptcy Trusts
Many asbestos companies went bankrupt because of lawsuits. When they went bankrupt, courts required them to set aside money for victims. There are over sixty trust funds holding more than thirty billion dollars.
You can file claims with these trust funds. Your lawyer will help you identify which trust funds apply to your case.
Lawsuits Against Asbestos Companies
You can also sue companies that are still in business. Lawsuits can result in larger payouts than trust funds, but they take longer and there is a risk of losing.
How Much Money Can You Get?
Every case is different. For Navy veterans with mesothelioma, compensation often ranges from 1millionto2 million or more. For lung cancer, compensation often ranges from 100,000to500,000. For asbestosis, compensation is generally lower.
Your lawyer can give you a better estimate based on your specific situation.
Do You Need a Lawyer?
Yes. Asbestos claims are complicated. You need a lawyer who specializes in asbestos cases. Do not hire a general personal injury lawyer.
The best asbestos lawyer for Navy veterans will:
- Give you a free consultation
- Work on contingency (you pay nothing upfront)
- Have handled hundreds of Navy veteran cases
- Know which trust funds are paying and how much
- Be willing to travel to you
Do not worry about finding a lawyer in your city. Asbestos lawyers work with veterans all over the country. They can handle everything by phone, mail, and email.
What If You Have Already Applied for VA Benefits and Were Denied?
Many veterans are denied the first time they apply for VA benefits. Do not give up. You can appeal.
The appeals process has several levels. A VSO or lawyer can help you with your appeal. Many veterans win their appeals.
What If You Smoked?
Many Navy veterans smoked. That does not disqualify you from compensation. The law recognizes that asbestos contributed to your disease, even if smoking also contributed.
If you have lung cancer and you both smoked and were exposed to asbestos, you can still get compensation. Your compensation may be reduced, but you can still get money.
Do not let fear of smoking history stop you from calling a lawyer.
What If Your Loved One Died from an Asbestos Disease?
You can still file claims on their behalf. This is called a wrongful death claim. The money goes to the spouse, children, or other dependents.
Do not wait. There are deadlines for filing wrongful death claims. Call a lawyer as soon as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I prove I was exposed to asbestos in the Navy?
Your service records show where you served and what your job was. Navy records show what ships had asbestos. Your lawyer can also get statements from fellow service members who remember working with asbestos.
Do I need to know exactly which product caused my disease?
No. You just need to show that you were exposed to asbestos during your service. Your lawyer will help identify which companies likely made the asbestos products you encountered.
How long does it take to get VA benefits?
Processing times vary. Some veterans receive a decision in a few months. Others wait a year or longer. If you have a serious illness, you can request an expedited review.
Can I receive VA benefits and asbestos trust fund money at the same time?
Yes. VA benefits are separate from trust fund claims. You can receive both.
What if I was exposed to asbestos in the Navy but also in civilian jobs?
That is fine. Your lawyer will pursue all sources of compensation.
How long do I have to file a legal claim?
Every state has a deadline called the statute of limitations. It is usually one to four years from the date you were diagnosed or from the date of death. Call a lawyer as soon as possible.
Resources for Navy Veterans
- VA Benefits Hotline: 1-800-827-1000
- Asbestos Claims Hotline: 1-800-352-0874 (Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation)
- American Legion: www.legion.org
- Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW): www.vfw.org
- Disabled American Veterans (DAV): www.dav.org
Final Thoughts: You Earned These Benefits
You served your country. You put on the uniform. You stood ready to give your life. You did not know that the greatest threat to your health would come not from enemy fire, but from the asbestos hidden in the ships where you served.
That was not your fault. It was not your commanders’ fault. The companies that made and sold asbestos products knew the danger. They hid the truth. They kept selling asbestos to the Navy for decades.
Now you have mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis. You are facing surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or immunotherapy. You are worried about your family. You are worried about your finances.
But here is the truth. The VA has benefits for people like you. Monthly tax-free payments. Free health care. Help for your family after you are gone.
And the asbestos companies have trust funds with billions of dollars for people like you.
These benefits are not charity. You earned them. You served. Now it is time for your country to serve you.
Do not wait. File your VA claim today. Call a lawyer today. Get the help you need. Get the money you deserve.
You served your country. Now let your country serve you.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information about asbestos exposure, health risks, VA benefits, and legal rights for Navy veterans. It does not constitute medical advice or legal advice. Every case is different. Always consult with qualified medical professionals and attorneys about your specific situation. If you are a Navy veteran with symptoms of an asbestos-related disease, see a doctor immediately. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis, contact a qualified asbestos lawyer and a Veterans Service Officer to understand your legal rights and VA benefits.