Many former naval personnel were exposed to asbestos aboard naval vessels, causing them to developMesothelioma and other serious asbestos-related illnesses. However,the asbestos on these vessels is safely contained and doesnt pose a threat to human health. For help, contact an attorney as soon as possible to avoid missing out. Get help filing for VA benefits from our team some of whom are even fellow veterans and learn about other forms of compensation right now. During the 1930s through the 1970s, before the health risks of asbestos exposure were widely known, the toxic mineral was commonly used in the construction and repairing of naval ships, including cruisers. The above list is not exhaustive. He knew what kind of a man I was and how involved I was with my job in the Navy. A top cancer doctor in California, Dr. Cameron treats pleural mesothelioma in Navy veterans with the most effective treatments available. While U.S. Navy destroyers ensure the safety of America, widespread use of asbestos aboard these vessels has endangered the lives of many veterans who have served the nation. USS Independence (CV-62) The USS Independence was the final ship constructed in the Forrestal class of aircraft carriers. Until the 1970s, asbestos was a common material on U.S. Navy ships. Get our free Navy ships guide to learn more about the risks of asbestos on these vessels. It added strength, durability, and fire resistance to the ships at a low cost. You could qualify for this amount or less, depending on your case. Navy shipbuilding expanded seventeen-fold from 1939 to 1945. The ship was later dismantled, and the asbestos was removed. USS Ajax (AR-6) returned from the United States to Japan in February 1960 and in June received orders changing her home port from San Diego to Sasebo. Our Patient Advocates can help you access these benefits get started right now. Government and Navy knowledge regarding health hazards of asbestos: A state of the science evaluation (1900 to 1970). View Transcript. The Navys 140-passenger cruiser has been linked to asbestos exposure. Asbestos-containing products were often used on: When the U.S. Navy finally began to remove asbestos products from its ships in the early 1980s, it was too late for thousands of U.S. Navy veterans who were already exposed. Asbestos-containing materials were used to build every U.S. Navy ship from the 1930s to the early 1980s there were no exceptions. If you worked on any of the naval vessels listed below and were exposed to asbestos, you may be entitled to compensation for your illness. There were a number of other jobs that often exposed service members on Navy ships to asbestos. The Navy used it in nearly every aspect of each ship, from bow to stern. Some areas of U.S. Navy ships used more asbestos than others. For example, the USS, When exploring the collections below, please note that some of the collections have been generically identified as Classified or Declassified. This is intended to assist researchers in determining the general state of the records. There is no definitive answer to this question as there is no central repository of information regarding the asbestos content of navy ships. Family members could be exposed if they touched the clothes (such as while doing laundry). At the disposal of decommissioned ships today, there are still old asbestos products that have been linked to cancer. In response, courts ordered these companies to set aside money in asbestos trust funds for current and future asbestos victims. Attorney Chris Guinn is a shareholder at Simmons Hanly Conroy. Because the definition of asbestos free varies from state to state, using this term incorrectly can be misleading. Asbestos Use on Navy Cruisers: History of Use & Exposure Anyone working in or even walking through a shipyard was at risk of inhaling asbestos. Asbestos Exposure on Navy Destroyers | Mesothelioma From The Navy Asbestos-containing products were widely used in all Navy ships from the 1930s to the early 1980s. The National Archives is staffed to provide basic referencing services and cannot perform the research required for this topic. The ship was made with asbestos, which is a material that is known to cause cancer. In the 1970s, the U.S. Navy began to phase out the use of asbestos in ships, and by the early 1990s, most ships in the Navy fleet had been asbestos-free. He says, we're gonna go inside and take a look. Did You Know? These lawyers will work on a veterans behalf to get the most compensation. The Navy used asbestos to construct their ships quickly, inadvertently putting everyone on board at risk.