Military Asbestos Exposure: Legal Help for California Veterans

Military service has always demanded sacrifice, but many veterans were unknowingly exposed to a silent and deadly threat: asbestos. Between the 1930s and late 1970s, asbestos was heavily used in all branches of the U.S. military, including the Navy, Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps. Its heat resistance and insulating properties made it a staple in shipbuilding, construction, and equipment manufacturing. Today, many California veterans face devastating diagnoses such as mesothelioma and asbestosis due to exposure that occurred decades ago. This article outlines how asbestos exposure occurred in the military, the unique risks for California veterans, and the legal help available for pursuing compensation.

How Military Veterans Were Exposed to Asbestos

Asbestos was used extensively in nearly every military installation, vehicle, and vessel. The most common sources of asbestos exposure for service members included:

  • Naval Ships: Asbestos was present in engine rooms, boiler rooms, insulation, gaskets, and pipe lagging. U.S. Navy veterans, especially those who served on ships built before 1980, faced daily exposure in confined spaces.
  • Military Aircraft and Vehicles: Brake pads, insulation, and gaskets in airplanes and tanks contained asbestos. Mechanics who repaired or maintained these vehicles were at high risk.
  • Military Bases: Barracks, mess halls, and other on-base buildings often had asbestos in flooring, ceiling tiles, insulation, and roofing materials.
  • Combat and Construction Zones: Veterans involved in demolitions, engineering, or construction may have encountered asbestos in older infrastructure or while rebuilding in war-torn regions.

Unfortunately, protective gear and awareness of asbestos risks were limited. Veterans often worked in dusty conditions with no knowledge that they were breathing in toxic fibers.

Why California Veterans Face a Unique Burden

California is home to one of the largest veteran populations in the United States. With more than 1.6 million veterans residing in the state, many are affected by past asbestos exposure. California also has:

  • Major military installations, including Naval Base San Diego, Camp Pendleton, Travis Air Force Base, and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.
  • Shipyards and defense contractors, such as those in San Diego, Long Beach, and Vallejo, where Navy ships were built and maintained.
  • Veterans hospitals and care centers, where asbestos-related illnesses are increasingly diagnosed and treated.

The high number of military facilities and long history of naval operations in California make it a hotspot for asbestos-related claims.

Health Conditions Linked to Asbestos Exposure

Military asbestos exposure can lead to life-altering diseases, typically decades after the exposure occurred. Common illnesses include:

  • Mesothelioma: A rare and aggressive cancer affecting the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart. It is almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure.
  • Asbestosis: A chronic lung condition marked by scarring of lung tissue, leading to respiratory distress and reduced oxygen capacity.
  • Lung Cancer: Veterans who smoked and were also exposed to asbestos face a significantly higher risk of developing lung cancer.
  • Pleural Plaques and Effusions: Non-cancerous thickening or fluid buildup around the lungs, often early indicators of more serious disease.

Because symptoms can take 20–50 years to emerge, many veterans are diagnosed only after the disease has progressed to a late stage.

Filing a VA Claim for Asbestos-Related Illnesses

Veterans who develop asbestos-related diseases may be eligible for benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). To file a successful VA claim, the veteran must demonstrate:

  • A service-related diagnosis such as mesothelioma or asbestosis.
  • Evidence of asbestos exposure during active duty.
  • A clear medical link between exposure and the illness.

The VA provides compensation, health care, and dependency benefits to eligible veterans and surviving family members. However, filing can be complicated and often requires strong documentation and expert legal help to navigate the bureaucracy.

Filing a Lawsuit or Trust Claim Outside the VA

In addition to VA benefits, many veterans can pursue compensation through asbestos bankruptcy trusts or civil lawsuits. These legal options do not interfere with VA benefits and can provide significant additional compensation.

  • Asbestos Trust Claims: Over 60 asbestos trusts exist, set up by bankrupt manufacturers to compensate victims. Veterans can file multiple claims if they were exposed to products from different companies.
  • Product Liability Lawsuits: Veterans can sue solvent companies that manufactured or supplied asbestos-containing products. In California, such cases often settle out of court for substantial amounts.
  • Wrongful Death Claims: Surviving spouses and family members can file wrongful death claims if a veteran dies from an asbestos-related disease.

Importantly, these lawsuits are not directed at the military or the U.S. government, but at the private companies that supplied asbestos-laden materials.

How California Law Supports Asbestos Victims

California is considered one of the most favorable states for asbestos litigation. Some reasons include:

  • Expedited Case Handling: California courts allow fast-tracking of asbestos cases, especially for terminally ill plaintiffs.
  • Generous Compensation Laws: State law permits recovery for pain and suffering, lost wages, medical expenses, and punitive damages.
  • High Settlements: California juries have awarded multi-million-dollar verdicts in mesothelioma cases involving veterans.

Veterans who reside in California or were stationed at California bases during their service have legal standing to file asbestos lawsuits in the state, even if the exposure occurred elsewhere.

Statute of Limitations for Filing Claims

Timing is critical in asbestos cases. In California:

  • Victims have one year from the date of diagnosis to file a personal injury lawsuit.
  • Family members have one year from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim.
  • Asbestos trust claims must follow each trust’s specific deadlines, often aligned with court statutes.

Because diseases like mesothelioma have such long latency periods, courts may allow exceptions if the exposure link was only recently discovered. Nevertheless, acting promptly ensures the best chance of recovery.

Finding the Right Legal Representation

Veterans seeking justice for asbestos-related illnesses should consult a legal team with experience in both asbestos litigation and military service claims. A qualified attorney can help by:

  • Identifying all sources of asbestos exposure, including ships, job sites, and products.
  • Filing VA claims alongside lawsuits or trust fund applications.
  • Managing deadlines and documentation to avoid dismissal of claims.
  • Negotiating settlements and advocating for full compensation.

Veterans should choose California mesothelioma attorneys who operate on a contingency basis, meaning there are no legal fees unless they win the case or secure a settlement.

Conclusion

Asbestos exposure remains one of the most tragic and overlooked dangers faced by U.S. military veterans. California veterans, in particular, face high rates of mesothelioma and related diseases due to the state’s long military and shipbuilding history. Fortunately, multiple avenues for justice and compensation exist, including VA benefits, asbestos trust claims, and product liability lawsuits. With proper legal help, veterans and their families can pursue the resources they need to cope with these life-altering diagnoses.

References