U.S. Marine Veterans and Mesothelioma

U.S. Marines who served before the 1980s were likely exposed to asbestos, putting them at risk of mesothelioma and other serious illnesses. We can help Marines with mesothelioma pursue benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and compensation from legal claims. Call (888) 726-9160 now to get started.

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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 the family of a U.S. Marine who died of mesothelioma
  • $1.36 million to a U.S. Marine veteran and welder in Michigan
  • $2.63 million for a U.S. Marine veteran and sheet metal worker
Rae Theodore

Fact-Checked and Legally Reviewed by: Rae Theodore

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Mesothelioma & Marines

For most of the 20th century, the U.S. Marine Corps used asbestos in many different ways because it was inexpensive, durable, and fire-resistant.

When microscopic asbestos fibers are breathed in or swallowed, they can become stuck inside the body and cause veterans to develop asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma and lung cancer 10-50 years later.

Did you know?

Around 33% of all mesothelioma patients are U.S. military veterans due to the widespread use of asbestos across all military branches.

Veterans with mesothelioma may qualify for VA benefits worth nearly $4,000 a month and compensation from lawsuits against asbestos companies that award over $1 million on average. These companies knew about the dangers of asbestos but kept quiet to protect their profits.

LawFirm.com works with VA-accredited lawyers who have secured over $9 billion for those impacted by mesothelioma, including U.S. Marine Corps veterans and their families.

Get a free case review now to see if they may be able to fight for the compensation you deserve.

U.S. Marines Asbestos Use

Before the dangers of asbestos became known, the Marines relied on hundreds of asbestos-containing materials to build and maintain military bases, ships, and vehicles.

Marine asbestos products include:

  • Adhesives
  • Boilers
  • Brake pads and shoes
  • Cement
  • Drywall
  • Electrical wiring
  • Engines
  • Insulation
  • Fireproofing materials
  • Floor tiles
  • Gaskets
  • Joint compound
  • Paint
  • Piping
  • Roofing materials
  • Valves

When disturbed, asbestos-containing products may release fibers into the air, putting anyone in the area at risk.

A mesothelioma attorney can figure out which asbestos products you were exposed to and which companies are to blame.

Marine Asbestos Exposure on Ships

The Marine Corps is a division of the U.S. Navy, so many Marines served on Navy ships as part of their duty. These veterans face the highest risk of military asbestos exposure since the Navy used more asbestos than any other branch.

Marine veterans could have been exposed to asbestos anywhere on a Navy vessel. When asbestos was disturbed on a ship, the fibers could remain airborne for hours, posing a risk to anyone nearby. However, some areas were more hazardous than others.

High-risk ship areas include:

  • Boiler rooms
  • Engine rooms
  • Pump rooms
  • Propulsion rooms

Marine veterans who worked in these rooms likely came in contact with asbestos on a regular basis, increasing their risk of mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other life-threatening illnesses.

Marine shipyard workers may have also been exposed to asbestos while building, repairing, or renovating vessels.

High-Risk Jobs for Mesothelioma in the Marines

While anyone who served in the Marines before the early 1980s was likely exposed to asbestos, some veterans worked jobs that caused them to be exposed daily.

High-risk Marine veteran asbestos exposure jobs include:

  • Construction workers
  • Boiler room workers
  • Demolition specialists
  • Electricians
  • Engine room workers
  • Firefighters
  • Insulators
  • Mechanics
  • Seamen
  • Welders

Those who served in these roles may have also worked in confined spaces with little ventilation, increasing their risk of developing mesothelioma decades later.

Call (888) 726-9160 right now if you or someone you love is a Marine veteran with mesothelioma. We can help you understand your legal options and connect you with a lawyer if you qualify.

Marine Base Mesothelioma Risk Sites

Many Marine Corps bases across the United States were built with asbestos products. Veterans who lived or worked there before efforts were taken to remove asbestos face an increased risk of developing illnesses like mesothelioma.

Marine bases with asbestos include:

  • U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in North Carolina
  • U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina
  • U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in California
  • U.S. Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia
  • U.S. Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow in California
  • U.S. Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island in South Carolina

This is not a complete list. Dozens of other U.S. Marine Corps bases used asbestos, including international bases like Camp Smedley Butler in Japan and Guantanamo Naval Base in Cuba.

Compensation for Marine Veterans With Mesothelioma

Service members diagnosed with mesothelioma from U.S. Marines asbestos exposure may be eligible for compensation from several different sources.

Learn more about mesothelioma compensation options for affected veterans below.

Asbestos Trust Funds

An estimated $30 billion is available in trusts established by asbestos companies that declared bankruptcy to dodge lawsuits. You may qualify for payments from multiple asbestos trust funds, maximizing your total payout.

A mesothelioma lawyer can file asbestos trust fund claims with each trust you’re eligible for. These claims don’t require you to appear in court, and many victims start receiving their first payouts in 90 days or less.

Find out if you may be able to access asbestos trust fund compensation right now.

Mesothelioma Lawsuits

Mesothelioma personal injury lawsuits award $1 million+ on average. These claims are filed against the companies responsible for making you sick — not the U.S. military or government. They almost always end in out-of-court settlements.

If a loved one has passed away from an asbestos-related illness, you may be able to file a mesothelioma wrongful death lawsuit and seek compensation to help pay for their medical treatment, funeral costs, and more.

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

VA Benefit Claims

U.S. Marine Corps veterans with mesothelioma typically qualify for a 100% disability rating and may be eligible for several types of VA benefits.

VA benefits for Marine veterans with mesothelioma include:

  • Disability compensation worth nearly $4,000 a month
  • Free or low-cost medical care
  • Pensions
  • Survivors benefits

The VA provides benefits to help lessen the financial burden related to mesothelioma from the Marines.

LawFirm.com partners with VA-accredited attorneys who can help you file for VA benefits or increase the amount you currently receive.

Get a free case review now to see if we can connect you with an experienced mesothelioma attorney for veterans.

Settlements for Marines & Asbestos Exposure

Veterans with mesothelioma from asbestos exposure in the Marines may be able to seek compensation from a lawsuit. Mesothelioma lawsuits award over $1 million on average, often without going to court.

Mesothelioma Marine settlements and verdicts secured by our legal partners include:

  • $4.3 million to the family of a 52-year-old U.S. Marine veteran who passed away
  • $1 million for a U.S. Marine veteran and laborer with peritoneal mesothelioma
  • $1.36 million to a U.S. Marine veteran and welder
  • $2.6 million for a U.S. Marine veteran and insulator in Virginia
  • $1.37 million to a U.S. Marine veteran and salesman in Florida
  • $1.99 million for a U.S. Marine veteran and machinist with a mesothelioma diagnosis
  • Over $2.6 million to a U.S. Marine veteran and sheet metal worker

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

Taking legal action is also a way to fight back against the asbestos companies that caused you or a loved one harm.

Get a free case review now to see if an experienced mesothelioma lawyer may be able to seek justice on your behalf.

Get Help for Mesothelioma in the Marine Corps

U.S. Marine Corps veterans didn’t know that the asbestos in their bases and ships was dangerous. The companies that made these products knew about the hazards, but they kept quiet to keep making money.

LawFirm.com works with top mesothelioma attorneys who can help Marine veterans with mesothelioma. These legal professionals have secured over $9 billion for military veterans and others impacted by asbestos diseases.

Our legal partners:

  • Are accredited by the VA
  • Can help Marine Corps families in all 50 states
  • Have decades of experience advocating for asbestos victims
  • Never charge any upfront or out-of-pocket fees

Call (888) 726-9160 right now or complete our form to see if they may be able to help you, too.

Mesothelioma in Marines FAQs

What is the VA disability rating for mesothelioma from the Marines?

The VA disability rating for mesothelioma from military service is typically 100%.

This allows affected veterans to get the highest payouts possible, which award almost $4,000 per month in tax-free compensation.

What benefits do Marine veterans with mesothelioma get?

Marine veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma qualify for many different benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

VA benefits for Marine veterans and mesothelioma include:

  • Disability compensation of nearly $4,000 a month
  • Free VA health care
  • Pensions
  • Survivor benefits

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

How much compensation for a Marine’s death from mesothelioma?

The amount of compensation you may receive for the death of a family member from mesothelioma linked to their service in the Marines or other branches of the military varies from case to case.

These mesothelioma lawsuits award over $1 million on average, but our legal partners have secured much larger payouts for some military families.

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

Rae Theodore

Fact-Checked and Legally Reviewed by: Rae Theodore

Rae Theodore is a writer and editor with more than 30 years of experience in legal publishing. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Pennsylvania State University.

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). About mesothelioma. Retrieved August 7, 2024, from https://www.cdc.gov/mesothelioma/about/index.html
  2. Morning Journal. (2021, June 7). Simon Greenstone Panatier secures $12.1 million verdict in Ohio asbestos mesothelioma case. Retrieved August 7, 2024, from https://www.morningjournal.com/2021/06/07/simon-greenstone-panatier-secures-121-million-verdict-in-ohio-asbestos-mesothelioma-case/
  3. National Center for Biotechnology Information. (2021). Article title. Retrieved August 7, 2024, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8394725/
  4. Simmons Hanly Conroy. (2024, July 3). “U.S. Marine Corps Veterans with Mesothelioma.” Retrieved on August 7, 2024 from https://www.simmonsfirm.com/mesothelioma/veterans/marines/
  5. Sokolove Law. (2024, August 1). “Mesothelioma & U.S. Marine Corps Veterans.” Retrieved on August 7, 2024, from https://www.sokolovelaw.com/mesothelioma/veterans-mesothelioma/marines/
  6. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2023, July 18). “Asbestos exposure.” Retrieved August 7, 2024, from https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/hazardous-materials-exposure/asbestos/
  7. War Related Illness & Injury Study Center. (n.d.). Asbestos exposure. Retrieved August 7, 2024, from https://www.warrelatedillness.va.gov/WARRELATEDILLNESS/education/factsheets/asbestos-exposure.pdf
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