The Use of Asbestos in the U.S. Navy

Although as early as the beginning of the 20^th century there were suspicions regarding the health hazards posed by asbestos, the U.S. administration and private companies refused, for a long time, to investigate the issue and to minimize and regulate the uses of asbestos. The U.S. Navy was among the most reticent; as a result, until the early 1980s asbestos was used in hundreds of products that posed serious health risks for the servicemen and women working in their close proximity.

Asbestos Products U.S. Navy Veterans May Have Been Exposed To

Among the applications for asbestos in the U.S. Navy, the following were prevalent:

• Insulation
• Tiling
• Electrical cables
• Gaskets
• Packing
• Sheathing
• Roofing
• Siding
• Brake linings
• Mastics
• Spackling
• Safety clothing for firefighters and welders

U.S. Navy Ships Known for Asbestos Exposure

For the better part of the last century, asbestos was present in over 300 different products on U.S. Navy ships. Consequently, anyone who spent time on a military ship was inevitably exposed to this hazardous mineral, which today is known to cause numerous awful, often life-threatening diseases.

• Lung Cancer
• Mesothelioma
• Asbestosis
• Pulmonary Fibrosis
• Pleurisy
• Lung Nodules
• Pleural Effusion
• Diffuse Pleural Thickening
• Pleural Plagues
• COPD
• Pneumonitis
• Rounded Atelectasis

From asbestosis and COPD to lung cancer and mesothelioma, asbestos exposure mostly results in pulmonary disease. In fact, approximately 30% of lung cancer patients are veterans. If you were aboard any of the following U.S. Navy ships, you were also exposed to asbestos:

Navy Veterans Are Commonly Misdiagnosed with the Wrong Pulmonary Diseases

It is crucial to know that, because the diseases which can ensue from asbestos exposure take a long time to develop, the risk of illness remains throughout your lifetime if you are a Navy veteran. Another important aspect you should be aware of is that oftentimes, people who come to suffer from such a disease do not experience symptoms until it is too advanced to respond to treatment. Therefore, undergoing regular screenings is vital if you have a history of military asbestos exposure. Early diagnosis is instrumental and can even save your life or at least prolong it to a great extent. A simple chest X-ray can reveal the presence of asbestos fibers in your lungs, as well as whether the mineral has caused any damage hitherto.

To promote timely detection and help Navy veterans avoid misdiagnosis – which is unfortunately very common among asbestos victims – the medical specialists at Environmental Litigation Group, P.C. offer screenings free of charge. All you have to do is provide our experts with your most recent chest X-rays and, after a careful evaluation, they will let you know whether there is a cause for concern with regard to the health of your lungs. Benefiting from a second opinion is extremely important when it comes to diseases caused by asbestos exposure, as assigning a correct diagnosis is a challenging task even for the most experienced specialists.

Finally, in the regrettable event you receive a diagnosis, we strongly encourage you to contact our attorneys immediately. As a veteran injured by asbestos exposure, you are eligible for compensation. Over 4 million veterans in the country are receiving financial compensation for asbestos-related diseases at the moment. Since 1990, the lawyers at Environmental Litigation Group, P.C. have been assisting veterans injured by asbestos and their families, who can now easily recover the compensation they deserve. Because the money comes from the asbestos trust funds which have been set up by liable companies within the past three decades, the legal process involves no litigation and takes significantly less time to complete than a regular lawsuit.