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Before the 1980s, asbestos was widely used throughout U.S. Navy ships and shipyards. Decades later, U.S. Navy veterans remain at risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
As a veteran-founded law firm, Simmons Hanly Conroy has helped thousands of veterans and their loved ones secure compensation for their medical care and more.
Call (800) 326-8900 now to learn more about your options for free.
Throughout the 20th century, the U.S. Navy’s fleet of ships rapidly expanded. During this time, asbestos was heavily relied upon in the shipbuilding process because of its durability, thermal properties and affordability.
Many asbestos companies knew that asbestos could cause deadly illnesses, but they kept this information from the public and the military in order to protect their profits.
When disturbed, microscopic asbestos fibers can become airborne and inhaled or ingested by those working nearby.
Over the course of 10-50 years, these fibers irritate healthy tissue within the body and may lead to serious diseases like mesothelioma.
Today, approximately 33% of all mesothelioma cases are caused by asbestos exposure on U.S. Navy ships or at naval shipyards.
Between 1940 and the 1970s, the U.S. Navy used over 300 different asbestos products on their ships. Asbestos could be found throughout the ships, including in the engine and boiler rooms, pump rooms, mess halls and living quarters.
Because of its widespread usage, everyone on board was at risk of coming into contact with asbestos fibers.
On U.S. naval ships, parts that contained asbestos include:
The extensive use of asbestos on U.S. Navy ships posed a significant health risk to service members — a risk that asbestos companies worked to keep hidden from the military and public for decades.
“I always had gaskets to work on. Always had valves to work on. I always knew that there was asbestos. Nobody ever said anything about it being dangerous."
Asbestos products were present on all naval ship classes, putting countless sailors at risk of developing mesothelioma.
If you served on one of the U.S. Navy ships below and were diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may be eligible for financial compensation.
Our team can help you figure out when, where and how you were exposed to asbestos as part of the legal process. Call (800) 326-8900 now to get started.
U.S. Navy veterans with mesothelioma and their loved ones may be able to file a mesothelioma claim and pursue compensation with the help of our asbestos attorneys.
Mesothelioma compensation can help pay for medical and travel costs, daily living expenses and whatever else the client wishes.
If you were diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may be able to access compensation from:
Mesothelioma claims are filed against the companies that produced or distributed the asbestos products you were exposed to while working on U.S. Navy ships.
We don’t take legal action against the U.S. Navy or the government.
"I served in the Navy for 20 years. I always knew that there was asbestos. What convinced me about a lawsuit was that I wasn't suing the government, I wasn't suing the U.S. Navy. I was suing the manufacturer because they knew many years prior what it would do to the human being."
In 1999, U.S. Army veteran John Simmons founded Simmons Hanly Conroy to help those impacted by mesothelioma fight for the justice they deserve.
Since then, our national mesothelioma law firm has worked with thousands of veterans who were exposed to asbestos during their military service, securing over $9.6 billion for clients nationwide.
Our mesothelioma lawyers and staff members — many of whom have also served in the Armed Forces — have a strong understanding of the specific laws that apply to veterans, which allows us to fight on their behalf.
If you or a loved one developed mesothelioma after working on a U.S. Navy ship, we may be able to help you pursue financial compensation from all of the avenues available.
Call (800) 326-8900 for a free legal consultation to learn more.
“Our law firm has represented over 3,000 veterans, and we’ve employed staff who have served across all of the U.S. Armed Forces.”
In 1953, Walter proudly joined the U.S. Navy. He spent the next 20 years working as a boilerman before retiring to build a homestead in Washington.
Unfortunately, Walter’s days of gardening and hunting were cut short by a pleural mesothelioma diagnosis. Walter had been exposed to asbestos fibers during his time in the U.S. Navy, which caused him to become ill decades later.
After his diagnosis, Walter’s friend connected him with Simmons Hanly Conroy. Walter wanted to take action against the asbestos companies responsible for his exposure. Just a few days later, he had an entire legal team working on his behalf.
“They could go back to day one and had the paperwork to back them up. I couldn’t stop thinking to myself ‘Oh, wow! These boys know what they’re doin.’”
– Walter, Mesothelioma Patient & Firm Client
After identifying the companies that made the asbestos products that he had been exposed to, Walter’s legal team was able to secure a $40.1 million mesothelioma verdict on his behalf.
Frank served as a boatswain’s mate in the U.S. Navy throughout the 1940s. On December 7, 1941, he was working in the kitchen when bombs were dropped on the USS Arizona. The attack on Pearl Harbor had begun.
Frank’s vivid memories of that day never faded, even as the years passed and he eventually left the military.
After his time in the U.S. Navy, Frank returned to his home state of Texas. Here, he worked various jobs that may have also exposed him to asbestos — including as a laborer and printing machine operator.
Eventually, Frank began experiencing chest pain and difficulty breathing. His doctor diagnosed him with mesothelioma, and soon after, he began working with the asbestos attorneys at Simmons Hanly Conroy to seek justice through a mesothelioma lawsuit.
Sadly, Frank passed away on December 7, 2011 — exactly 70 years after he lived through the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Asbestos was found in various types of U.S. Navy ships, including:
It’s important to note that this list is not exhaustive, and asbestos may have been present in other types of U.S. Navy ships as well.
If you or a loved one was diagnosed with mesothelioma, contact Simmons Hanly Conroy now for a free legal consultation. You may be eligible for compensation that won’t prevent you from receiving VA benefits now or in the future.
Asbestos was used in every U.S. Navy ship until the late 1970s, when the U.S. Navy began the process of removing asbestos from its ships.
During the 20th century, over 300 different asbestos products were used throughout naval ships. Today, there are some active ships that still contain asbestos.
However, this is rare, and the asbestos present on these ships is contained in a way that prevents it from impacting the health of those onboard.
In many cases, yes. Members of the U.S. Navy who worked on ships built prior to the 1980s were likely exposed to asbestos during their service.
Since mesothelioma can take 10-50 years to develop, veterans that came in contact with asbestos remain at risk today.
Get the help you deserve. Call (800) 326-8900 now if you or a loved one developed mesothelioma after serving in the U.S. Navy.