U.S. Air Force Veterans and Mesothelioma

The U.S. Air Force used asbestos products to keep its planes and other military assets running and protected from the elements. As a result, many veterans are at risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Veterans with mesothelioma may be able to access compensation from lawsuits and VA claims. Call (888) 726-9160 to see if we can help you get the benefits you deserve.

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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

$5.2 million for a U.S. Air Force veteran and roofer in Florida
$4.25 million for a U.S. Air Force veteran and welder from Indiana
$5.1 million for a U.S. Air Force veteran in Illinois

Fact-Checked and Legally Reviewed by: Rae Theodore

Last updated: Nov 26, 2024

The Link Between the Air Force and Mesothelioma

Before the dangers of asbestos became known to the public, the U.S. Air Force relied heavily on this material because it was cheap, durable, and heat-resistant. Asbestos could be found in planes, bases, and aircraft equipment.

A single incident of asbestos exposure can lead to mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer, 10-50 years later. Certain Air Force veterans, like mechanics, construction workers, and welders, are especially at risk since they worked with asbestos products on a daily basis.

Hundreds of different asbestos products could be found in Air Force housing and aircraft equipment, like jets, helicopters, and propeller planes. Air Force veterans who worked with or near these products are at risk of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses.

Did you know?

Due to the U.S. military’s widespread use of asbestos, about 33% of all mesothelioma patients are veterans.

Companies that manufactured asbestos products knew of the dangers but hid this information from the public and the military to protect their profits.

At LawFirm.com, our team can help eligible Air Force veterans with mesothelioma fight back against these greedy corporations and pursue compensation. Get a free case review now to see if one of our trusted legal partners may be able to seek justice on your behalf.

The U.S. Air Force and Asbestos Use

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that hundreds of manufacturers used since it was cheap, readily available, and versatile.

Asbestos-containing products could be found in many U.S. Air Force assets, like buildings, barracks, hangars, vehicles, and planes. Asbestos has insulating properties that prevented overheating and fire risks in jets and other aircraft.

Asbestos products that placed U.S. Air Force veterans at risk include:

Adhesives
Boilers
Brakes and brake pads
Drywall
Electrical wiring
Floor tiles
Gaskets
Heat shields
Insulation
Joint compound
Piping
Roofing
Valves

This is not a complete list. Thousands of other asbestos products and construction materials may have caused Air Force veterans to come in contact with asbestos.

When Air Force personnel installed or serviced these items, tiny asbestos fibers may have been released into the air. Anyone in the vicinity was at risk of breathing in or swallowing these fibers and developing mesothelioma and other serious diseases decades later.

Call (888) 726-9160 right now if you were diagnosed with mesothelioma after serving in the U.S. Air Force. Our team is standing by to see if we may be able to connect you with a top mesothelioma attorney.

Air Force Asbestos Exposure Jobs

While all U.S. Air Force veterans may have come in contact with asbestos during their military service, those who served in certain roles likely suffered asbestos exposure on a daily basis. Prolonged exposure has been linked to a greater risk of asbestos-related illnesses.

High-risk Air Force asbestos jobs included:

Airmen
Aircraft mechanics
Aviation machinist’s mates
Boiler tenders
Construction workers
Gunners and gunner’s mates
HVAC specialists
Pilots
Pipefitters and plumbers
Vehicle mechanics
Welders

Air Force personnel who worked these jobs and were later diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease like mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis may be entitled to compensation from VA benefits and other sources.

List of Air Force Bases With Asbestos

Dozens of Air Force bases across the U.S. used asbestos for most use of the 20th century, placing those who served at these locations in danger.

Asbestos on Air Force bases could be found at:

Charleston Air Force Base in South Carolina
Dover Air Force Base in Delaware
Forbes Air Force Base in Kansas
Gunter Air Force Base in Alabama
Langley Air Force Base in Virginia
Los Angeles Air Force Base in California
Mitchell Air Force Base in New York
Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado

Most states had at least one Air Force base that contained asbestos products, endangering anyone who lived or worked there.

“For veterans of the Air Force, exposure to asbestos most likely happened on actual Air Force bases. … Servicemen and women most at risk of exposure were the ones who lived on these bases with their families.”

– The Purple Heart Foundation

Compensation for Mesothelioma and Air Force Veterans

U.S. Air Force veterans with asbestos-related diseases may be eligible for mesothelioma compensation from multiple sources. A mesothelioma lawyer will handle all of the legal legwork and pursue compensation from each type of claim you qualify for.

Asbestos Trust Funds

There’s an estimated $30 billion still available in trust funds set up by companies that declared bankruptcy to dodge asbestos lawsuits. You may qualify for payouts from multiple asbestos trust funds, maximizing your potential payout.

An asbestos lawyer can help you file claims with all of the trusts that you qualify for. Many mesothelioma victims start receiving their first payments in less than 90 days.

Find out if you may be able to access asbestos trust funds right now.

Mesothelioma Lawsuits

Mesothelioma personal injury lawsuits award over $1 million on average and are filed against the asbestos companies responsible for making you sick. The vast majority of these lawsuits result in out-of-court settlements, providing asbestos victims with quicker access to much-needed financial compensation.

If you’ve lost a loved one to an asbestos disease, you may be able to file a mesothelioma wrongful death lawsuit. Compensation can help pay for their medical bills, funeral costs, pain and suffering, and more. It’s also a way for family members to honor their memory and find closure.

A mesothelioma lawyer can handle all aspects of the legal process for you, so you can focus on your health.

VA Benefit Claims

Air Force veterans with mesothelioma from service-related asbestos exposure qualify for a 100% disability rating, allowing them to get the most compensation possible from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

VA benefits include:

Disability compensation of about $4,000 per month
Free or low-cost VA health care
Pensions
Survivors benefits

See if we may be able to help you file for VA benefits or increase the amount you already receive following a mesothelioma diagnosis. We’ve partnered with VA-accredited attorneys who can help you file with ease. Get started right now with a free case review.

Mesothelioma and the Air Force Settlement & Verdict Amounts

The average mesothelioma settlement is over $1 million, but the asbestos lawyers we work with have secured much larger payouts for some U.S. Air Force veterans with this cancer.

Settlements and verdicts secured by our legal partners include:

$3.9 million for a U.S. Air Force veteran in Colorado
$3.86 million to a U.S. Air Force veteran and electrician from Arizona
$2.95 million for a U.S. Air Force veteran and plumber from Colorado
Over $2 million for a U.S. Air Force veteran and repairman in Florida
$2 million to a U.S. Air Force veteran and machinist from Colorado
$1.9 million on behalf of a U.S. Air Force veteran and pipefitter
Over $2.9 million to a U.S. Air Force veteran in Wisconsin
$1.86 million for a U.S. Air Force veteran in Virginia
$3.56 million on behalf of a U.S. Air Force veteran and teacher in Arizona

Potential compensation amounts depend on an Air Force veteran’s diagnosis, medical expenses, and other factors. Regardless of the facts of your case, a mesothelioma lawyer will fight for the maximum compensation possible.

See if a mesothelioma lawyer may be able to pursue an asbestos settlement for you during a free case review.

Help for Mesothelioma Air Force Veterans

Air Force veterans who bravely served their country were put in harm’s way by asbestos companies that prioritized profits over human well-being.

LawFirm.com can help U.S. Air Force veterans with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases seek justice.

Our VA-accredited legal partners:

Are able to link Air Force asbestos exposure to a veteran’s illness
Can assist Air Force veterans in all 50 states
Have secured billions of dollars for military families impacted by asbestos
Handle all of the paperwork, making the process as easy as possible
Never charge any upfront or hourly fees

Call (888) 726-9160 right now or fill out our form to see if we can help maximize your VA benefits and seek the compensation you deserve.

Air Force and Mesothelioma FAQs

Is mesothelioma a VA disability?

Yes, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) considers mesothelioma to be a 100% disability.

Air Force veterans with mesothelioma connected to their service may be entitled to various benefits to help them manage this cancer.

VA benefits for mesothelioma and Air Force veterans include:

Disability payments of nearly $4,000 per month
Free or low-cost health care
In-home care
Survivor benefits if a veteran has passed away

Call (888) 726-9160 right now to see if our VA-accredited attorneys can help you file for benefits or increase the amount you already receive.

Who is most likely to get mesothelioma?

U.S. Air Force veterans and those who served in other branches of the military before the late 1980s are most likely to develop mesothelioma. Today, about 1 in 3 mesothelioma patients are U.S. veterans.

The U.S. military used asbestos products in bases, aircraft, and other assets, putting those who served at risk of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.

How do you prove Air Force asbestos exposure?

An experienced asbestos attorney can identify which asbestos-containing products you may have been exposed to during your time in the Air Force and link these products to your illness.

They do this by reviewing your military records and job history while cross-referencing this information with data they’ve collected on asbestos products and at-risk worksites.

How much do Air Force veterans get for mesothelioma?

U.S. Air Force veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma secure $1 million+ on average from asbestos lawsuits.

They may also be entitled to mesothelioma compensation from asbestos trust funds and VA benefits, which pay almost $4,000 a month.

Get a free case review now to see if one of our legal partners may be able to secure mesothelioma compensation for you.

What Air Force bases have asbestos?

Over 100 Air Force bases were built and maintained using asbestos products before the risks were known.

Air Force asbestos exposure sites included:

Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul, Illinois
Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, Colorado
Griffiss Air Force Base in Rome, New York

U.S. Air Force bases weren’t the only ones that put service members at risk of asbestos exposure. International military bases, like those in Germany, Italy, Japan, and Korea, were also built using asbestos-containing materials.