Mesothelioma and U.S. Army Veterans

The U.S. Army’s widespread use of asbestos throughout most of the 20th century put countless veterans at risk of mesothelioma and other life-threatening illnesses. Army veterans with mesothelioma may be entitled to VA benefits and legal compensation. Call (888) 726-9160 to see if we may be able to help you seek justice for asbestos exposure in the Army.

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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

$4.3 million for a U.S. Army veteran and boilermaker
$1.56 million to U.S. Army veteran in Pennsylvania
$3.2 million for a U.S. Army veteran and maintenance worker

Fact-Checked and Legally Reviewed by: Rae Theodore

Last updated: Nov 26, 2024

Veterans and Asbestos Exposure in the Army

Asbestos, valued for its affordability, durability, and fire-resistant qualities, was heavily used by the U.S. Army and all other military branches before the hazards became public knowledge in the 1980s.

When asbestos fibers are breathed in or swallowed, they can become lodged inside the body, irritate healthy tissue, and cause asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma decades later.

Today, 33% of all mesothelioma patients are U.S. military veterans.

Army veterans with mesothelioma may be eligible for benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and compensation from lawsuits filed against asbestos-related companies. These companies knew about the health risks of exposure but stayed silent to keep making money.

LawFirm.com has partnered with VA-accredited lawyers who’ve secured billions of dollars on behalf of veterans across the country. Get a free case review now to see if they may be able to fight for the compensation you deserve.

U.S. Army Asbestos Use

The U.S. Army used asbestos-containing materials to build and maintain military assets and protect them from the elements.

Asbestos products could be found in Army barracks, mess halls, tanks, and trucks, posing a danger to the military service members who handled them or worked in their vicinity.

Asbestos products used by the Army include:

Boilers
Brake linings and pads
Ceiling tiles
Cement
Fireproofing
Gaskets
HVAC systems
Insulation
Paint
Piping
Valves
Roofing materials
Many other products

Did you know?

Asbestos was often used for ammunition storage to reduce the effects of a fire in the event of an accidental ignition.

Even a single exposure to asbestos can lead to serious illnesses like mesothelioma in Army veterans decades later.

High-Risk Army Asbestos Exposure Jobs

While any veteran may have been at risk, service members who worked certain jobs were more likely to experience asbestos exposure in the Army on a daily basis.

Those in the U.S. Corps of Army Engineers, for example, built structures using hundreds of asbestos-based building materials.

Other Army jobs at high risk of asbestos exposure include:

Artillery personnel
Carpenters
Construction workers
Demolition technicians
Drywallers
Electricians
Firefighters
Insulators
Laborers
Mechanics
Pipefitters and plumbers
Tankers
Welders

When members of the Army performed these jobs, asbestos fibers may have been released into the air, placing anyone nearby in harm’s way.

Military personnel may have also unknowingly carried asbestos dust home on their clothes or skin, causing family members to become sick due to secondhand exposure.

List of U.S. Army Bases with Known Asbestos

Asbestos exposure in the Army may have occurred in bases across the country.

Army bases linked to asbestos include:

Fort Belvoir in Virginia
Fort Benning in Georgia
Fort Bragg in North Carolina
Fort Campbell in Kentucky/Tennessee
Fort Dix in New Jersey
Fort Hood in Texas
Fort Knox in Kentucky
Fort Lewis in Washington
Fort McClellan in Alabama
Fort Meade in Maryland
Fort Ord in California
Fort Polk in Louisiana
Fort Riley in Kansas
Fort Rucker in Alabama
Fort Sam Houston in Texas
Fort Sill in Oklahoma

Asbestos in Army barracks, mess halls, and other structures on base may have caused military veterans to develop diseases like mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis decades after serving.

“Off-site locations known as Army reserves were also prone to the usage of asbestos.”

– Purple Heart Foundation

Compensation for Mesothelioma and the Army

Veterans with mesothelioma from asbestos exposure in the Army may be entitled to compensation from legal claims and other sources.

Mesothelioma Army compensation options include:

Asbestos trust funds: An estimated $30 billion is available in bankruptcy trusts established by asbestos companies that wanted to avoid lawsuits. Army asbestos exposure victims may be able to access compensation from multiple trust funds without leaving the comfort of their home.
Mesothelioma personal injury lawsuits: These lawsuits award over $1 million on average to U.S. Army veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma. Skilled lawyers can handle all aspects of Army asbestos lawsuits, so veterans can focus on their health and family.
Mesothelioma wrongful death lawsuits: Family members and estate representatives of Army veterans who’ve passed away from their illness may be able to file a wrongful death claim and pursue compensation for their medical bills, funeral costs, and suffering.
VA benefits: The U.S. Army mesothelioma disability rating is 100% for veterans with this cancer, allowing them to access benefits worth almost $4,000 per month, free or low-cost VA health care, and more.

The VA-accredited lawyers we work with can file a VA claim for disability benefits on your behalf or increase the amount you already receive after a mesothelioma diagnosis. Get started right now with a free case review.

Army Veterans and Mesothelioma Settlements and Verdicts

Army veterans with mesothelioma secure over $1 million on average from mesothelioma lawsuits.

The VA-accredited attorneys we’ve partnered with have recovered hundreds of millions for veterans impacted by asbestos exposure in the Army.

Mesothelioma settlements and verdicts secured by our legal partners include:

$4.3 million to a U.S. Army veteran and boilermaker
$2.9 million for a U.S. Army veteran and pipefitter in Colorado
$2.4 million in California for the heirs of a U.S. Army veteran
$2.25 million to a U.S. Army veteran and roofer from Washington
$1.88 million for the family of a 70-year-old U.S. Army veteran in New York
$1.8 million to the family of an Illinois veteran and mesothelioma patient
$1.76 million in Texas for a U.S. Army veteran and longshoreman
$1.56 million to the loved ones of an 83-year-old U.S. Army veteran from Pennsylvania

The amount of compensation you may receive for military asbestos exposure in the Army depends on many factors, like the cost of your medical bills, lost wages, and more.

See if a top mesothelioma lawyer may be able to secure settlement compensation on your behalf during a free case review.

Help for Army Veterans With Mesothelioma

Asbestos exposure in the Army put millions of military members at risk of mesothelioma and other life-threatening diseases. While asbestos companies knew of the hazards connected to their products, they hid this information from the military to keep making money.

LawFirm.com has partnered with experienced mesothelioma law firms that can help veterans affected by Army asbestos exposure pursue the compensation and justice they deserve.

Our VA-accredited legal partners:

Can help mesothelioma Army veterans in all 50 states
Have secured billions of dollars for military families impacted by asbestos
Handle all aspects of Army asbestos lawsuits, making the process stress-free
Never charge any upfront or out-of-pocket fees

“You must go to a reputable law firm. If your loved one is a veteran, make sure the law firm has a lawyer who specializes in dealing with veterans’ cases.”

– Karen D’Alessandro, daughter of Army veteran and mesothelioma survivor Gene

Call (888) 726-9160 right now or complete our form to take the first step toward the compensation and benefits you deserve.

Mesothelioma and Army Veterans FAQs

What if I was exposed to asbestos in the Army?

If you experienced asbestos exposure in the Army, you may be at risk of developing a serious illness like mesothelioma or lung cancer.

Army veterans with an asbestos-related disease may be entitled to:

Army asbestos lawsuit settlements, which award $1 million+ on average for illnesses like mesothelioma
Asbestos trust fund claims, which often provide first payouts within 90 days
VA disability payments worth nearly $4,000 a month

Call (888) 726-9160 right now to find out if a top asbestos lawyer may be able to seek compensation on your behalf.

What is the VA rating for exposure to asbestos in the Army?

The VA disability rating for asbestos exposure can go up to 100%, depending on the asbestos-related illness you’ve been diagnosed with.

Army veterans with mesothelioma or lung cancer, for example, are eligible for the maximum monthly disability compensation of almost $4,000 a month.

Get a free case review now to see if our partner VA-accredited attorneys may be able to help you file for VA benefits or maximize the amount you already receive.

What military bases have asbestos?

Dozens of military bases have been linked to asbestos, including many Army bases. Asbestos in Army barracks, mess halls, and other structures on base posed a danger to military members.

Army bases that had asbestos included Camp Dodge, Fort Dix, and Fort Hood. Veterans who experienced Army asbestos exposure on these and other bases are in danger of developing serious illnesses like mesothelioma today.

When did the Army stop using asbestos?

The U.S. Army stopped using asbestos in new construction by the early 1980s when the dangers came to light. However, asbestos products could still be found in older buildings, posing a risk to anyone in the area.