Mesothelioma and U.S. Coast Guard Veterans

United States Coast Guard veterans may be at risk of mesothelioma and other illnesses because the military used asbestos products for much of the 20th century. Veterans with mesothelioma from Coast Guard asbestos exposure may be eligible for VA benefits and financial compensation. Call (888) 726-9160 to see if we may be able to help you access both.

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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

$2.6 million for a U.S. Coast Guard veteran in Arizona
$1.4 million to a U.S. Coast Guard who worked in shipping
$1.7 million for a U.S. Coast Guard veteran in South Carolina

Fact-Checked and Legally Reviewed by: Rae Theodore

Last updated: Nov 26, 2024

U.S. Coast Guard Asbestos Dangers

Like all military branches, the U.S. Coast Guard relied on asbestos to build and maintain ships, bases, aircraft, and vehicles. Asbestos was inexpensive, lightweight, and fireproof, so it was widely used until its risks became known in the early 1980s.

Asbestos is a known carcinogen, and even a single exposure can cause someone to become sick 10-50 years later. As a result, Coast Guard veterans who breathed in or swallowed asbestos fibers are still at risk of developing mesothelioma today.

Veterans may have experienced Coast Guard asbestos exposure while:

Building, renovating, or servicing ships, and other assets
Serving on Coast Guard vessels
Working in Coast Guard shipyards

Coast Guard veterans with mesothelioma may be eligible for benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) worth nearly $4,000 per month and legal compensation that awards $1 million+ on average.

LawFirm.com has partnered with top mesothelioma attorneys who have secured billions of dollars for veterans and their families nationwide.

Get a free case review now to see if our legal partners may be able to fight for justice and compensation on your behalf.

Coast Guard Asbestos Use

The Coast Guard relied on hundreds of asbestos-containing products to keep its ships afloat and protect them from corrosion and fire.

Asbestos products used by the Coast Guard include:

Adhesives
Boilers
Ceiling and floor tiles
Cement
Deck coverings
Drywall
Electrical wiring
Insulation
Fireproofing materials
Gaskets
Pipes
Pumps
Ropes
Valves

Asbestos-containing materials may release fibers into the air when they’re installed, manipulated, or damaged, posing a risk of exposure to those nearby.

While asbestos product manufacturers knew of the dangers, they hid this information from the military and the public to protect their profits.

List of Coast Guard Cutters With Asbestos

The main type of ship used by the U.S. Coast Guard was the cutter. Over 300 cutters likely contained asbestos, putting those who served on them at risk.

Coast Guard cutters that contained asbestos include:

USCGC Bering Strait (WHEC-382)
USCGC Chincoteague (WHEC-375)
USCGC Courageous (WMEC-622)
USCGC Dallas (WHEC-716)
USCGC Dauntless (WMEC-624)
USCGC Dependable (WMEC-626)
USCGC Durable (WMEC-628)
USCGC Escape (WMEC-6)
USCGC Gallatin (WHEC-721)
USCGC Half Moon (WHEC-378)
USCGC Hamilton (WHEC-715)
USCGC Humboldt (WHEC-372)
USCGC Ingham (WPG-35)
USCGC Iroquois (WHEC-43)
USCGC Jarvis (WHEC-725)
USCGC Mackinac (WHEC-373)
USCGC Minnetonka (WHEC-67)
USCGC Mojave (WPG-47)
USCGC Pontchartrain (WHEC-70)
USCGC Reliance (WMEC-615)
USCGC Sebago (WHEC-42)
USCGC Sherman (WHEC-720)
USCGC Steadfast (WMEC-623)
USCGC Tampa (WPG-48)
USCGC Valiant (WMEC-621)
USCGC Vigilant (WMEC-617)
USCGC Vigorous (WMEC-627)
USCGC Winona (WHEC-65)

This is not a complete list — many other Coast Guard cutters also contained asbestos.

While asbestos in Coast Guard ships wasn’t confined to a specific area, some regions were more hazardous than others. Equipment in engine, pump, and boiler rooms generated heat, so they contained a large number of asbestos-based products.

“The close quarters type of living on these vessels allowed for asbestos fibers to travel easily to other areas of the ship, potentially exposing everyone on board.”

– Purple Heart Foundation

Call (888) 726-9160 right now to see if we can help you pursue compensation for mesothelioma from Coast Guard cutters with asbestos.

High-Risk Asbestos Exposure Coast Guard Jobs

While anyone who served in the Coast Guard may have been exposed to asbestos, those in certain roles faced a greater risk.

High-risk Coast Guard asbestos exposure jobs include:

Boiler tenders
Electricians
Engine room workers
Firefighters
Insulation workers
Mechanics
Plumbers and pipefitters
Shipbuilders and shipyard workers

Due to the nature of their work and the environments in which they performed their duties, these military service members may have experienced Coast Guard asbestos exposure on a regular basis.

Coast Guard Asbestos Exposure Bases

Many Coast Guard bases across the United States have been linked to asbestos. Veterans who lived on base or worked there face an increased chance of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos diseases.

Coast Guard bases with asbestos include:

Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod in Massachusetts
Coast Guard Base Alameda in California
Coast Guard Base Honolulu in Hawaii
Coast Guard Base Kodiak in Alaska
Coast Guard Sector New York in New York
Coast Guard Base Seattle in Washington
Coast Guard Training Center Petaluma in California
Curtis Bay Coast Guard Yard in Maryland

Did you know?

Coast Guard asbestos exposure wasn’t limited to service members. Family members who lived on base or came in contact with asbestos that a loved one unknowingly brought home on their clothes may have become sick from secondhand exposure.

Compensation for Mesothelioma in Coast Guard Veterans

Military personnel diagnosed with mesothelioma from Coast Guard asbestos exposure may qualify for compensation from several different sources. Learn more about these mesothelioma compensation options below.

Asbestos Trust Funds

An estimated $30 billion is sitting in trust funds created by asbestos companies that filed for bankruptcy to avoid facing lawsuits. You may be eligible for payments from multiple asbestos trust funds, increasing your total payout.

An asbestos lawyer can file claims with all of the trusts you qualify for. Trust fund claims don’t require you to appear in court, and many mesothelioma patients start receiving their first payouts within 90 days.

Find out 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. These legal claims are filed against the companies responsible for your illness, not the U.S. military or government. They almost always end in out-of-court settlements.

If you’ve lost a loved one to an asbestos-related illness, you may be able to file a mesothelioma wrongful death lawsuit on their behalf. Compensation can help pay for their medical bills, funeral costs, and more.

An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can make the legal process as easy and stress-free as possible, so you can focus on your health and family.

VA Benefit Claims

Mesothelioma Coast Guard victims may qualify for several types of VA benefits.

VA benefits for mesothelioma and the Coast Guard include:

Disability compensation of almost $4,000 a month
Free or inexpensive medical care
Pensions
Survivors benefits

Benefits can help ensure you get the care you deserve for mesothelioma from Coast Guard asbestos exposure.

At LawFirm.com, we work with VA-accredited attorneys who can prepare claims on your behalf.

Get a free case review now to see if we can help you file for VA benefits or increase the amount you already receive.

Settlements for Coast Guard Veterans With Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma lawsuit settlements award $1 million+ on average, allowing patients to secure compensation without going to court.

Mesothelioma Coast Guard settlements include:

$2.6 million for a U.S. Coast Guard service veteran from Arizona
$1.7 million to an electrician and U.S. Coast Guard veteran in South Carolina
$1.4 million for a U.S. Coast Guard veteran who worked in the shipping industry
$1.2 million to a Texas boiler tender who served in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard

Mesothelioma Coast Guard settlements can help pay for a veteran’s medical bills, lost wages, living expenses, and more.

Taking legal action is also a way to stand up to negligent asbestos companies and hold them accountable for the harm they caused you.

Get a free case review now to see if a top mesothelioma lawyer may be able to fight for the justice you deserve.

Help for Asbestos Exposure in the Coast Guard

U.S. Coast Guard veterans believed the ships they served on and the bases where they worked were safe for themselves and their families. Asbestos companies knew of the dangers but kept quiet to everyone’s detriment but their own.

LawFirm.com has partnered with top mesothelioma attorneys to help veterans sickened by Coast Guard asbestos exposure. These legal professionals have taken on negligent asbestos companies and secured billions of dollars for military veterans and families.

Our legal partners:

Are accredited by the VA
Can help Coast Guard families in all 50 states
Have decades of experience helping asbestos victims
Never charge any upfront or hourly fees

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

Mesothelioma Coast Guard FAQs

What if I was exposed to asbestos in the Coast Guard?

If you were exposed to asbestos while serving in the Coast Guard, you may be eligible for VA benefits and legal compensation for mesothelioma, lung cancer, or another asbestos-related disease.

VA disability compensation for mesothelioma is worth nearly $4,000 a month, and mesothelioma lawsuit settlements award over $1 million on average.

Call (888) 726-9160 now to see if one of our VA-accredited legal partners may be able to help you get everything you deserve.

How much is the VA compensation for Coast Guard asbestos exposure?

VA compensation for Coast Guard asbestos exposure that results in mesothelioma is almost $4,000 per month.

Veterans with mesothelioma from Coast Guard service may also qualify for:

Free or low-cost health care
In-home care
Pensions
Survivors benefits

An asbestos attorney can help you file for VA benefits or increase the amount you already receive after a diagnosis.

Can I claim if I have been exposed to asbestos in the Coast Guard?

Yes, you may be able to claim VA benefits and file an asbestos lawsuit if you suffered mesothelioma or another illness from Coast Guard asbestos exposure.

VA benefits pay nearly $4,000 monthly for the asbestos-caused cancer mesothelioma. Mesothelioma lawsuits award over $1 million on average in out-of-court settlements.

The mesothelioma lawyers we’ve partnered with have secured billions of dollars for veterans and their families. They never charge any upfront or hourly fees and can handle all of the paperwork on your behalf.

Get a free case review now to see if they may be able to pursue compensation on your behalf.