The Coast Guard, Asbestos Exposure, and Mesothelioma

The U.S. Coast Guard has a long history of asbestos use on its vessels. Asbestos on ships and in equipment exposed countless Coast Guard veterans who are now at risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos illnesses. Coast Guard veterans with mesothelioma are eligible for healthcare and other benefits.

If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may be eligible for substantial compensation. There is currently over $30 billion in asbestos trust funds set up for victims of asbestos-related diseases. Fill out our form to get a free Financial Compensation Packet. You’ll learn about the experienced mesothelioma lawyers in your area, how to get paid in 90 days, how to file a claim for the asbestos trust funds, and more.

Why Are Coast Guard Veterans at Risk for Mesothelioma?

Out of approximately 3,000 new cases in the U.S. every year, 30% of mesothelioma diagnoses are in veterans. All branches of the military, including the Coast Guard, used asbestos extensively and put service members at risk of exposure and later illness.

Like the U.S. Navy, the Coast Guard operated ships and boats built with large amounts of asbestos in many components. Asbestos was used to insulate and protect against heat and friction in gaskets, insulation, steam pipes, boilers, and many other components.

Even protective clothing worn by damage control parties to fight shipboard fires had asbestos fibers woven into their material. This was done to protect ships and crews from fires, especially at sea. Even the bases and shore installations used by the Coast Guard contained asbestos.

“Asbestos use in the Coast Guard put veterans at risk for mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, and other illnesses. Prolonged exposure to asbestos fibers can lead to severe health complications, often manifesting only after several decades.

While symptoms may take years to surface, the resulting conditions are frequently incurable and terminal. The risk is particularly concerning because, by the time symptoms emerge, significant and irreversible damage may have already occurred.

Associated Health Conditions

• Mesothelioma: A rare and aggressive cancer primarily affecting the lining of the lungs and abdomen.
• Lung Cancer: Often indistinguishable from other forms of lung cancer, but with a direct link to asbestos exposure.
• Asbestosis: A chronic lung disease causing scarring of lung tissue, leading to severe breathing difficulties.

Understanding the impact of asbestos exposure is crucial for those who served, as early detection and intervention can play a critical role in managing these serious health issues.”

Which Veterans Are Most at Risk for Mesothelioma?

All Coast Guard veterans are at risk, but some were more likely to experience ongoing exposure than others:

• Shipyard and ship insulators
• Ship inspectors
• Boiler room workers
• Engine room workers
• Vessel renovators
• Construction workers
• Demolition workers

What Benefits Are Available to Coast Guard Veterans With Mesothelioma?

If you have mesothelioma or another asbestos illness related to your time serving in the Coast Guard, you could be eligible for one or more types of benefits and compensation.

VA Compensation for Coast Guard Veterans

The Coast Guard is part of the U.S. Armed Forces, so veterans are entitled to benefits offered by the U.S. Veterans Administration (VA). The VA provides disability compensation to qualifying veterans, which is a tax-free monthly payment designed to support those who have sustained a service-connected disability.

A service-connected disability occurs when an injury or illness arises from duties performed in the military, impacting everyday functioning. The VA determines your degree of disability through medical records or a VA-administered health examination. This assessment results in a disability rating, expressed as a percentage. The higher the percentage, the more significant the disability and, consequently, the higher your monthly payout.

Monthly disability compensation varies depending on your degree of disability. The VA assigns a 100% disability rating to mesothelioma and asbestos lung cancer. Veterans with these illnesses and the required documentation are entitled to full disability payments.

Additionally, the VA offers special disability compensation to certain veterans. If you have mesothelioma and need care in your home, you could qualify for this additional benefit.

By understanding these details, Coast Guard veterans can better navigate their eligibility for disability compensation and ensure they receive the support they’re entitled to for their service-connected conditions.

Specialized Healthcare for Veterans

Veterans can receive medical care at VA medical centers across the U.S. Because mesothelioma rates are so high in veterans, several VA facilities offer specialist mesothelioma care and treatment for other asbestos illnesses.

Some VA medical centers with access to mesothelioma specialists are in Houston, Boston, Los Angeles, and Miami. These facilties connect with local hospitals, giving veterans access to even more specialists.

Benefits for Dependents and Family Members

Monthly disability compensation for veterans with mesothelioma includes additional payment for spouses, dependent children, and, in some cases, parents.

Families can also apply for dependency and indemnity compensation, payments to certain family members after the death of a veteran. Funeral benefits are also available.

Benefits Available to Civilian Employees Exposed to Asbestos in Coast Guard Shipyards

Civilian employees working in Coast Guard shipyards and exposed to asbestos face unique challenges. Although they aren’t eligible for VA benefits, there are still several avenues for support available to them:

Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB)

For those looking for healthcare coverage, the Federal Employee Health Benefits program is a valuable resource. This program extends its coverage to Coast Guard civilian employees, retirees, and their families. Surviving family members may also utilize the program following the employee’s death. Eligible recipients include spouses, children up to the age of 26, and adult disabled children unable to support themselves.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

Social Security Disability Insurance offers financial relief for those unable to work due to a disability. This program provides monthly, tax-free payments to eligible individuals whose disabilities are anticipated to last more than a year or result in death. To be eligible, individuals must have paid into the Social Security system through either payroll or self-employment taxes and demonstrate their disability to the Social Security Administration.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Supplemental Security Income is designed for individuals over 65 or those with disabilities who have limited income and resources. Recipients can receive SSI benefits without having contributed to Social Security. Application for both SSI and SSDI can be completed online or in person at your local Social Security office.

These programs provide a safety net for civilian employees facing health issues due to asbestos exposure, helping to mitigate financial burdens and provide necessary support.

Can Veterans Sue the Coast Guard for Asbestos Exposure?

Veterans cannot sue the military or federal government for asbestos exposure during service. The VA offers benefits that compensate injured and ill veterans for service-related harm.

Understanding the VA Pension: Eligibility and Benefits

The VA pension is a financial assistance program designed for veterans who served during times of war and have a low income. It is distinct from disability benefits and does not require a service-connected disability for eligibility.

Eligibility Requirements:

To qualify for the VA pension, veterans must meet several criteria:

1. Service During Wartime: The veteran must have actively served during designated wartime periods.
2. Income Guidelines: Only those with limited financial resources are eligible, emphasizing the program’s focus on low-income individuals.
3. Age or Disability Considerations: While a service-connected disability is not necessary, some general age or disability conditions may enhance eligibility for additional benefits.
4. Net Payment Rule: If a veteran qualifies for both a pension and disability compensation, they will receive the payment that results in the highest net benefit. However, it’s important to note that both benefits cannot be claimed simultaneously.

Additional Benefits:

Veterans receiving a VA pension may also qualify for:

• Aid and Attendance Allowance: Designed for veterans requiring assistance with daily activities due to disabilities.
• Housebound Benefits: Available to veterans whose disabilities significantly limit their ability to leave their home.

These supplemental benefits aim to provide additional financial support to those veterans facing significant day-to-day living challenges due to disabilities.

For veterans and their families, understanding the intricacies of these benefits can be crucial in securing the support they need.

Understanding VA Health Care: What It Is and What It Covers

VA Health Care is a comprehensive medical service program exclusively for veterans who have served on active duty and received an honorable discharge or a discharge that isn’t dishonorable. This program aims to ensure that those who have served the nation receive the necessary health services as part of their benefits.

What Does VA Health Care Cover?

VA Health Care offers a broad range of services, including but not limited to:

• Preventive Care: Routine check-ups, vaccinations, and regular health screenings to maintain your well-being.
• Diagnostic Tests: Various tests and assessments to diagnose potential health issues accurately.
• Medical Treatment: Access to treatments for a wide array of medical conditions. This includes consultations with specialists and hospitalization if needed.
• Therapy: Includes physical therapy, mental health counseling, and other therapeutic services to aid recovery and support mental health.
• Rehabilitation: Essential services to help veterans recover from physical injuries or surgeries.
• Acute Care: Urgent medical attention for accidents, sudden illnesses, or severe health issues.
• Prescription Drugs: Medications prescribed by VA health professionals, ensuring veterans have access to necessary pharmaceuticals.

Accessibility and Additional Support

Veterans can receive these medical services through their local VA medical centers or VA health clinics. If a specific service is unavailable in the immediate vicinity, third-party clinics that have been approved by the VA may also be used. Additionally, the program provides reimbursement for travel expenses if veterans need to travel long distances for their medical treatments.

For those diagnosed with mesothelioma or similar conditions related to asbestos exposure during their service, VA Health Care may offer specialized care at no cost. This commitment highlights the program’s focus on meeting the unique medical needs of veterans effectively.

Other Options for Compensation – Lawsuits and Asbestos Trusts

Although veterans cannot sue the military, they can sue asbestos companies for compensation. Many companies supplied the Coast Guard and other branches of the military with asbestos materials. Veterans can hold them accountable in one of two ways:

• Mesothelioma lawsuit. If the asbestos companies involved are still in business, you can sue them for damages. Most mesothelioma lawsuits end in settlements for the victim.
• Asbestos trust fund claim. If the companies went bankrupt, you could be eligible for an asbestos trust fund claim. Bankrupt companies were required to set up these trusts to compensate future claimants with asbestos illnesses.

Talk to an experienced asbestos or mesothelioma lawyer to take these steps. Asbestos cases and claims can be very complicated. The right law firm will have the resources available to gather evidence, prove your case, and get you a settlement.

What Damages May Be Recoverable in a Lawsuit Related to Asbestos Exposure?

If you’ve been affected by asbestos exposure, it’s crucial to understand the potential damages you may be entitled to recover through a lawsuit. Below is a breakdown of compensations often sought in these cases:

• Healthcare Costs: This includes any expenses for medical treatments, hospital stays, doctor’s visits, medications, and ongoing care related to the exposure.
• Lost Income: If the exposure has affected your ability to work, you may be able to claim compensation for lost wages or reduced earning capacity.
• Domestic Services: Any costs incurred from needing help with household tasks due to your condition might be recoverable.
• Physical and Emotional Distress: This covers compensation for both the physical pain and the emotional suffering endured as a result of the exposure.
• Consortium Loss: Compensation might be sought if the exposure has adversely affected your relationship with your spouse.
• Psychological Impact: This includes the compensation for mental distress such as anxiety or depression triggered by your medical condition.
• Diminished Quality of Life: If your ability to enjoy daily activities and overall quality of life has been compromised, this can also form part of your claim.

Each case is unique, and the damages awarded can vary significantly. Consulting with legal experts can provide guidance tailored to your specific situation.

Understanding who may be liable for asbestos exposure in the U.S. Coast Guard involves looking beyond the military itself. Primarily, liability extends to the manufacturers and suppliers of asbestos-containing products used by the military. These companies, despite knowing the risks, continued to sell their hazardous products, often leading to devastating health issues for those in contact with them.

Here are some potential parties that might be held accountable:

• Manufacturers: Companies that produced asbestos materials knew of the risks but failed to warn users or provide safer alternatives.
• Distributors and Suppliers: Entities that distributed or supplied asbestos products to military branches can also be liable. They played a pivotal role in the asbestos supply chain.
• Contractors and Subcontractors: Businesses hired to install or maintain asbestos-containing products could also be at fault if they failed to adhere to safety protocols or misrepresented the dangers.

Affected individuals, including active-duty personnel and civilian workers, may have legal grounds to seek compensation. This extends to surviving family members, who could file claims on behalf of loved ones impacted by asbestos-related illnesses.

Types of Compensation: Compensation can include costs for medical treatment, loss of income, and emotional damages. Additional damages might cover pain and suffering, reduced quality of life, and even legal penalties against negligent companies.

Legal Considerations: It’s essential to be aware of legal nuances, such as statutes of limitations or jurisdictional limitations on damages. Therefore, contacting an experienced asbestos attorney swiftly is crucial for exploring your legal options and organizing a strong case.

Several companies have historically been known to supply asbestos-containing products to the military. These include well-known manufacturers and suppliers from both the insulation and construction industries, as well as other specialized sectors.

Key Companies in Asbestos Supply to the Military:

1. AO Smith Water Products Company – This company was involved in producing various industrial and commercial products, which included materials containing asbestos.
2. Metalclad Insulation Corporation – Specialized in insulation materials, this corporation provided products that often incorporated asbestos for its heat-resistant properties.
3. Owens-Illinois – Renowned for its glass products, Owens-Illinois also distributed asbestos-containing materials used extensively in military applications.
4. Fibreboard Corporation – A major player in the manufacturing of construction materials, Fibreboard Corporation supplied asbestos products that were utilized in numerous military infrastructure projects.
5. John Crane, Inc. – Known for its mechanical products, John Crane, Inc. offered components that included asbestos, employed in various military machinery and equipment.

These companies contributed significantly to the military’s reliance on asbestos for its durability and fire-resistant characteristics, despite the health risks that eventually surfaced.

Asbestos in Coast Guard Vessels

The U.S. Navy is larger and often gets more attention for past asbestos use, but the Coast Guard also used asbestos in all its major vessels throughout much of the 20th Century.

Many high-endurance cutters launched between 1939 and 1980 contained substantial amounts of ACMs, and many veterans were exposed to asbestos on them.

Asbestos in Coast Guard Stations and Buildings

Although the Coast Guard is smaller than the Navy, it has a nationwide network of bases, air stations, headquarters, repair facilities, and administration buildings to support its sea and air assets. Some of these facilities are relatively new and were built with materials that don’t contain asbestos.

However, many Coast Guard shore installations date from as far back as the 1800s. Even those Coast Guard buildings renovated between 1915 and 1980 include asbestos materials.

Asbestos-based products, including flooring material, roof tiles, insul, and even wiring, were used in berthing spaces, repair shops, barracks, dependent housing, and schools.

Under most conditions, asbestos is harmless if it’s left undisturbed. However, activities such as repairs or renovations stir up “friable” asbestos fibers and release them into the environment.

Coast Guard regulations now state that “(u)nprotected personnel shall not be exposed to airborne asbestos fiber concentrations greater than 0.1 fibers per cubic centimeter [0.1 f/cc) averaged over an eight-hour day.” Health experts have determined that exposures that exceed these levels pose serious health risks.

The Coast Guard also prohibits using ACMs even though there are no satisfactory substitutes. This requirement applies to shipboard use, shore installations, and aircraft.

Examples of United States Coast Guard Locations Associated with Asbestos Use:

• Mt. Edgecumb Coast Guard barracks, Sitka, Alaska
• U.S. Coast Guard, Alameda, California
• U.S. Coast Guard, 12th District, San Francisco, California
• U.S. Coast Guard Yard, Curtis Bay, Baltimore, Maryland
• U.S. Coast Guard ET Shop/ CGES Warehouse Building # 105, San Juan, Puerto Rico
• U.S. Coast Guard, Mess Hall, Building 39, Alameda, California
• U.S. Coast Guard, Mess Hall, Building 9, Benicia, California
• U.S. Coast Guard, Pier 16, Long Beach, California
• U.S. Coast Guard, Terminal Island, California
• U.S. Coast Guard, Sebago Lake, Maine
• U.S. Coast Guard Air Station, Borinquen, Puerto Rico
• U.S. Coast Guard Air Station, San Francisco, California
• U.S. Coast Guard Air Station, St. Petersburg, Florida
• U.S. Coast Guard Navigation School, Groton, Connecticut
• U.S. Coast Guard, Gulfport, Mississippi
• U.S. Coast Guard, Loran-A Radar Station: Ocean Cape, Spruce Cape, and  Biorka, Alaska
• U.S. Coast Guard Air Station, New York, New York
• U.S. Coast Guard Station, Tybee Island, Georgia
• U.S. Coast Guard Station, Islamorada, Florida
• U.S. Coast Guard Station, Panama City, Florida
• U.S. Coast Guard Station, Yankeetown, Florida

Are Coast Guard Service Members Still at Risk of Asbestos Exposure?

Unfortunately, the dangers of asbestos have not disappeared. Asbestos was used so heavily that it has been impossible to abate or replace it all, especially in buildings. Many military installations, including Coast Guard bases, still have asbestos in buildings, barracks, and housing. The asbestos should be contained, but if disturbed, could cause exposure.

The Hidden Dangers of Asbestos

Asbestos poses a significant health hazard when its fibers are damaged or disturbed, causing them to become airborne. At this point, they can be easily inhaled. These fibers are microscopic, making them invisible to the naked eye, which adds to their danger. Furthermore, there are no immediate symptoms to alert individuals that they have inhaled these harmful fibers, allowing health risks to go unnoticed until they develop into serious conditions.

Monitoring and Prevention

The Coast Guard’s Occupational Medical Surveillance & Evaluation Program provides Coast Guardsmen with monitoring for exposure to asbestos and other toxic chemicals. Current service members and veterans can undergo medical screenings through this program to catch illnesses earlier. This proactive approach is crucial in environments where asbestos could still be present, ensuring any health impacts are identified and managed promptly.

By understanding both the pervasive presence of asbestos and the invisible nature of its fibers, service members can better appreciate the need for vigilance and regular health monitoring.

Legal Help and Additional Information

Remember to fill out our form to get your free Financial Compensation Packet, with information on experienced asbestos and mesothelioma lawyers in your area. Keep in mind that if you have mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may be eligible for considerable compensation. For additional assistance, contact us at 800-793-4540.