U.S. Veterans & Mesothelioma

The United States Armed Forces used asbestos products across all branches, putting millions of service members at risk of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. U.S. veterans with mesothelioma may qualify for compensation from VA benefits and asbestos lawsuits. Call (866) 447-8466 to see if our team may be able to help you seek justice.

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Why Take Legal Action?

By filing a lawsuit, you can pursue financial compensation and justice from the asbestos companies that caused you or a loved one harm.

Results Secured

$40 million for a U.S. Navy veteran and boiler tender in Washington
$2.4 million to the family of a U.S. Army veteran from California
$2.9 million for a U.S. Air Force veteran in South Carolina

Written by: Rae Theodore

Last updated: Aug 19, 2024

Fact-Checked and Legally Reviewed by: Amy E. Garrett

U.S. Military Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma

Veterans are at a high risk for mesothelioma due to the U.S. military’s widespread use of asbestos, a cancer-causing substance, from the 1930s to the early 1980s. Asbestos was inexpensive and kept military bases, ships, and other assets insulated and fireproof.

Millions of veterans were exposed to asbestos while they served their country. When tiny asbestos fibers are breathed in or swallowed, they can lead to mesothelioma and other life-threatening illnesses 10-50 years later.

While the companies that supplied the military with asbestos-containing products knew about the dangers of asbestos, the service members who worked with these products didn’t.

Mesothelioma and Veterans at a Glance

About 33% of all mesothelioma diagnoses involve a veteran.
The VA has set a 100% disability rating for mesothelioma and asbestos lung cancer.
VA disability compensation for mesothelioma is nearly $4,000 per month.
Lawsuits against asbestos companies award $1 million+ on average in out-of-court settlements.
Veterans can file both lawsuits and VA benefits claims, with no legal action taken against the military or government.

A mesothelioma lawyer can review the facts of your case and seek financial compensation from all of the options you qualify for.

LawFirm.com has partnered with VA-accredited lawyers who can help veterans with mesothelioma in all 50 states. Together, they’ve secured over $10 billion for asbestos victims nationwide.

Get a free case review now to see if we may be able to help you or someone you love get the justice they deserve.

Asbestos Exposure in the Military

Asbestos use in the U.S. military was widespread before the 1980s, so anyone who served during this time was likely exposed. Asbestos was in military construction materials, vehicle parts, and more. Find out about asbestos exposure in each branch of the military below.

U.S. Air Force: Asbestos could be found throughout military aircraft, including in engines, heat shields, and valves. Mechanics, pilots, and airmen may have been exposed when they serviced or flew in jets and helicopters. Many Air Force bases were also built with asbestos materials.
U.S. Army: Trucks, tanks, and other vehicles used by U.S. Army soldiers may have released asbestos fibers during routine maintenance or from normal wear and tear. Service members may have also come in contact with asbestos on dozens of bases, including Fort Bragg, Fort Campbell, and Fort Hood.
U.S. Coast Guard: A wide range of asbestos products were used to build Coast Guard cutters and other ships as they were lightweight and fire-resistant. The cramped quarters of these vessels increased the risk of exposure for those aboard.
U.S. Marine Corps: U.S. Marines may have encountered asbestos on bases, vehicles, or ships. As a division of the Navy, many Marines served on Navy vessels, which contained asbestos-based components like insulation, fireproofing, and boilers.
U.S. Navy: Navy veterans face the highest risk of mesothelioma since almost every ship used asbestos due to government mandates. The confined nature of Navy ships allowed asbestos fibers to stay airborne for hours, posing a danger to anyone aboard.

“My dad left my life earlier than he should have, and with prior knowledge about asbestos, he could have protected himself and lived his life longer with us.”

– Jeff, son of a U.S. Army veteran who passed away from mesothelioma

LawFirm.com can help veterans with mesothelioma seek the compensation and justice they deserve, regardless of their branch of service or how they were exposed to asbestos.

Compensation Options for Veterans With Mesothelioma

Veterans with mesothelioma from military asbestos exposure may be able to pursue compensation from several sources.

Find out about mesothelioma compensation options for veterans below.

Asbestos Trust Funds

An estimated $30 billion is sitting in bankruptcy trusts set up by asbestos companies in an effort to avoid lawsuits. You could be eligible for payouts from multiple asbestos trust funds, increasing the total amount of money you may receive.

An asbestos lawyer can file mesothelioma trust fund claims with all of the trusts you qualify for. These claims never require you to appear in court, and many patients start receiving initial payouts in 90 days.

See if you may be able to access asbestos trust fund compensation right now.

Mesothelioma Lawsuits

Mesothelioma personal injury lawsuits award over $1 million on average in out-of-court settlements. They’re filed against the companies to blame for your illness — not the U.S. military or government. Filing a lawsuit won’t impact your right to VA benefits.

“We tell our veterans that you should always file the mesothelioma lawsuit because it’s a way to get full compensation.”

– Ricky LeBlanc, managing attorney at Sokolove Law and LawFirm.com legal expert

If a loved one has passed away from an asbestos-related illness, you may qualify to file a mesothelioma wrongful death lawsuit and seek compensation to pay for their medical expenses, funeral costs, and pain and suffering.

An experienced mesothelioma lawyer will handle all of the legal work to make the process as easy and stress-free as possible.

VA Mesothelioma Benefit Claims

U.S. veterans with mesothelioma typically qualify for a 100% disability rating, meaning they can get the highest monthly disability payouts and many other benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

VA benefits for mesothelioma in veterans include:

Disability benefits worth almost $4,000 a month
Free mesothelioma treatment through the VA health care system
Pensions
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) for surviving spouses

The VA provides benefits for veterans with mesothelioma to help lessen the financial costs associated with this illness and get care from top mesothelioma specialists.

LawFirm.com partners with VA-accredited claims agents who can help you file for veterans benefits, increase the amount you currently receive, or appeal a VA claim denial. Get a free case review to see if you’re eligible.

Settlements for Mesothelioma in Veterans

Almost all mesothelioma lawsuits end in out-of-court settlements, allowing veterans to access much-needed compensation from the comfort of their own homes.

Veterans mesothelioma settlements secured by our legal partners include:

Over $11 million on behalf of a U.S. Air Force veteran in Arizona
$9.3 million to the family of a U.S. Navy veteran from Massachusetts
$5.31 million for a Maryland heavy equipment operator and U.S. Army veteran
$4.42 million to a boiler room repairman in the U.S. Navy from Indiana
$4.35 million for an Ohio U.S. Army veteran and construction worker
$4 million to a U.S. Navy veteran and shipyard worker from Massachusetts
$3.6 million on behalf of a Texas asbestos worker and U.S. Army veteran
$3.48 million to a heavy weapons infantryman in the U.S. Army
Over $3 million for an Alaska U.S. Navy veteran and union sheet metal worker
$2.9 million on behalf of a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and construction worker
$2.6 million for a U.S. Air Force veteran and warehouse worker in Kansas
$2.5 million to a union insulator and U.S. Air Force veteran from Tennessee
$4 million for a shipyard worker and U.S. Navy veteran in Massachusetts
$5 million on behalf of a North Dakota U.S. Army veteran and farmer
$10.23 million for a boiler tender and U.S. Navy veteran from California

Money from a veteran’s mesothelioma case can help pay for medical treatment and other expenses related to this cancer.

LawFirm.com works with VA-accredited attorneys who have secured over $10 billion in compensation for veterans and civilians with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.

Call (866) 447-8466 now to see if one of our legal partners may be able to seek mesothelioma compensation on your behalf. It’s free to speak with our team.

Which Products Put Veterans at Risk of Asbestos Exposure?

U.S. military veterans may have been exposed to asbestos lurking in their buildings, vehicles, ships, and aircraft. Asbestos-containing products kept these assets durable, fireproof, and insulated, even during harsh conditions.

When asbestos products were installed, serviced, or damaged, microscopic fibers may have been released, putting those nearby at risk.

Common military asbestos exposure products include:

Adhesives
Boilers and boiler linings
Brake linings and brake pads
Cables
Caulk
Clutch facings
Deck coverings
Engines
Electrical wiring and coatings
Gaskets
Heat shields
Insulation
Lagging and rope
Meters
Packing
Paint
Paneling
Pipes, pipe insulation, and pipe coverings
Pumps
Resins
Sealants
Tiles
Tubing
Turbines
Transmission parts

This is not a complete list — the military used many other asbestos-based products before the health risks became public knowledge.

Negligent asbestos companies knew of the dangers but kept quiet to protect their profits. As a result, millions of innocent service members were put in harm’s way.

“Veterans have a right to hold responsible the companies that produced and sold asbestos-containing materials to the military.”

– Ricky LeBlanc, managing attorney at Sokolove Law and LawFirm.com legal expert

See if we may be able to help you hold the asbestos companies responsible for your illness accountable and seek the compensation you deserve. Take the first step toward justice with a free case review.

High-Risk Asbestos Exposure Jobs in the Military

Anyone who worked with or around asbestos products may have come in contact with the toxic mineral, putting them at risk of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. However, some veterans were exposed on a daily basis, increasing their chances of becoming sick later in life.

High-risk asbestos exposure jobs included:

Aircraft mechanics
Boilermakers and tenders
Construction workers and carpenters
Engine room mechanics
Electricians
Firefighters
Heavy equipment operators
Hull technicians
Insulators
Mechanics
Machinist mates
Painters
Plumbers and pipefitters
Pump and valve workers
Sailors who served on Navy ships
Sick bay workers
Shipbuilders and shipyard workers
Steamfitters
Welders

Secondhand asbestos exposure in the military

Active-duty service members weren’t the only ones at risk of asbestos exposure. Family members may have come in contact with asbestos that their loved ones unknowingly brought home on their skin, hair, or work clothes.

A mesothelioma lawyer can determine how you were exposed and seek the highest amount of compensation from the companies responsible for making you sick.

Legal Help for Veterans With Mesothelioma

The brave men and women who served our country shouldn’t have to shoulder the financial burden of an illness caused by greedy and careless companies.

LawFirm.com has partnered with mesothelioma law firms that can help veterans with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses in all 50 states hold these companies accountable and seek the compensation they deserve.

Our legal partners:

Are staffed by VA-accredited attorneys
Can determine how, when, and where you were exposed to asbestos
Have secured over $10 billion for asbestos victims
Never charge any upfront or hourly fees

“Hiring a mesothelioma law firm was the best decision my dad ever made.”

– Linda, daughter of a U.S. Navy veteran and electrician with mesothelioma

Call (866) 447-8466 right now or get a free case review to see if we may be able to fight hard for everything you deserve.

Veterans and Mesothelioma FAQs

What is the VA rating for mesothelioma?

Both mesothelioma and asbestos lung cancer have a 100% VA disability rating, allowing eligible veterans with these cancers to secure the most amount of compensation possible. In 2024, veterans mesothelioma disability compensation is almost $4,000 a month.

How many veterans have mesothelioma?

Approximately 1,000 veterans are diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma each year in the United States.

The U.S. Armed Forces’s widespread use of asbestos throughout much of the 20th century caused millions of veterans to be exposed during their military service.

Asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma, and service members didn’t know the risks because private companies hid the dangers for decades to make a profit.

How much compensation do veterans get for mesothelioma?

Veterans typically qualify for disability payments of almost $4,000 a month from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for service-related mesothelioma.

Veterans with mesothelioma may also qualify for compensation from asbestos trusts containing an estimated $30 billion and mesothelioma lawsuit settlements worth over $1 million on average.

An asbestos lawyer can create a legal strategy aimed at securing as much compensation on your behalf as possible.

Call (866) 447-8466 now to learn about your legal options and see if we may be able to connect you with a top attorney near you.

Does mesothelioma qualify for disability?

Yes, service-related mesothelioma qualifies for disability compensation from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). With a 100% disability rating, veterans with mesothelioma receive the maximum monthly benefit of nearly $4,000 in tax-free payments.

An experienced lawyer can file a mesothelioma claim on your behalf and seek other types of compensation to increase the amount of money you may receive.

Fact-Checked and Legally Reviewed by: Amy E. GarrettPartner

Lawyer
Editor

Amy Garrett is a partner at Simmons Hanly Conroy with more than 22 years of litigation experience. Amy has helped the firm secure billions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for clients. Over the past two decades, she has gained a reputation as a litigator who advocates for her asbestos and complex litigation clients both inside and outside the courtroom.