Navy cruisers contained asbestos in different parts of the ship. Asbestos on cruisers was very common. When the asbestos fibers were agitated or broke down, it would expose those in the surrounding environment to the carcinogen.
Where Asbestos was Used
Between the 1930s to the 1970s, asbestos was used to build Navy cruisers. Different places of the cruisers where asbestos was used include pipes, switches, ceiling tiles, boiler rooms, and engine rooms.
Since asbestos on cruisers was commonplace for a very long time, the components of equipment on the ships would wear down over time. When asbestos fibers are disturbed, they become dangerous. When things would wear down on the ship or when repairs were done, the asbestos fibers would be released. Breathing in these fibers is extremely dangerous as they can become lodged in the linings of certain organs in the body. This can lead to diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.
Who is at Risk?
Navy veterans who worked on repairing ships are at the highest risk for developing an asbestos-related disease. Crew members on the cruisers were also put in danger as asbestos was used all throughout the ships.
Navy cruisers were used during many different wars, including World War I, World War II, The Korean War, The Vietnam War, and The Cold War.
Some Navy Cruisers that contained asbestos were:
- USS Albany
- USS Baltimore
- USS Helena
- USS Juneau
Compensation through the VA
If you are a Navy veteran and have developed an asbestos-related disease such as mesothelioma, there are different ways to pursue compensation. The United States Department of Veteran Affairs has benefits available to veterans who have developed mesothelioma, including disability compensation that is paid monthly. Usually, mesothelioma is rated as a 100% disability by the VA, allowing for those who have been diagnosed with this cancer to receive the highest possible monthly compensation amount.
Lawsuits
Although it is not possible to sue the military, there are ways to pursue compensation through lawsuits. Lawsuits can be filed against the company or companies that manufactured the products that they then sold to the Navy to be used on the cruisers. We can help you file a lawsuit against the companies that exposed you to asbestos.
Trust Funds
Another way to pursue compensation is through filing a claim with an asbestos trust fund. There is over $30 billion dollars available for victims of asbestos-related diseases that has been set aside in trust funds. We can help file a claim or claims with these trust funds.
Asbestos on cruisers was used for decades and this exposed workers and those on board to the hazardous material. If you were a Navy veteran and exposed to asbestos and have now developed an asbestos-related disease, such as mesothelioma, we can help you pursue compensation for your diagnosis.
For more information, or to find out if you have a viable claim, call us at (800) 505-6000 or fill out our contact form. We have the knowledge and experience to help you get the compensation you deserve.
Sources:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09553002.2018.1551641
