Gunner's mates

Exposed to asbestos at their workplace

Gunner's mates image

The rating of gunner’s mate was established in 1794, making it one of the oldest in the U.S. Navy. People who served as gunner’s mates were responsible for operating and maintaining guided missile launching systems, underwater explosive weapons such as torpedoes, rockets and missiles and the systems employed to launch such weapons, namely gun mounts and other equipment, as well as small arms magazines. Since they would also make mechanical, electrical and electronic casualty analysis and repair, maintain, test and calibrate ordnance equipment, their asbestos exposure was quite high. Therefore, former gunner’s mates are today at considerable risk of receiving a terrible diagnosis.

Claim Evaluation

Gunner’s mates were in charge of operating and maintaining guided missile launching and torpedo launching systems, rocket launchers, gun mounts and other ordnance systems and equipment, stowing, securing, requisitioning and reclassifying explosives, training and supervising crews in the use of all types of ordnance equipment, servicing hydraulic and pneumatic systems and operating and maintaining special weapons systems. Their work also involved testing and inspecting ammunition, missiles and their components, preparing torpedoes and torpedo launching equipment for checkout and firing and supervising military personnel in handling and stowing of ammunition. Since they had to perform maintenance and repair work to asbestos components, their exposure was significant.

Relevant job titles

  • weapon administrator
  • small arms technician
  • weapon delivery system technician
  • aircraft mechanics and service technician
  • electronics engineering technician
  • storage and distribution manager
  • infantryman
  • artilleryman

Eligible
Veterans

Filing a claim with asbestos trust funds does not disqualify you from disability compensation from the VA.

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Asbestos-related cancer eligible for filing a claim

If you developed one of the following cancers as a result of occupational exposure, you are eligible for compensation. If you are too ill, a family member can help you with the legal process. In the unfortunate event that you pass away before recovering compensation, your surviving family members will receive compensation on your behalf.

Lung Cancer Mesothelioma Throat Cancer Esophageal Cancer Bronchial Cancer Gastrointestinal Cancer Colorectal Cancer

If, however, you struggle with non-cancerous pleural diseases such as asbestosis, pulmonary fibrosis, pleural plaques, pleural effusion, diffuse pleural thickening, COPD (emphysema & chronic bronchitis), pleurisy, lung nodules, lung spots, asthma, pneumonitis, tuberculosis, rounded atelectasis or lung scarring, please seek a second or even a third opinion as the rate of misdiagnosis is very high among the victims of asbestos exposure.