Navy Cruisers and Asbestos

U.S. Navy cruisers are warships that played essential roles in some of the nation’s wars. Cruisers contained an excessive amount of asbestos. Navy cruisers and asbestos put veterans at risk for developing life-threatening asbestos-related illnesses.

If you or a loved one have mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may be eligible for a large amount of compensation. Fill out our form to receive our free Financial Compensation Packet. Our packet is loaded with information on experienced mesothelioma attorneys in your area, how to file a claim for asbestos trust funds, how to get paid in 90 days, and more. 

About Navy Cruisers

Cruisers are navy ships that come in different sizes, ranging from small protected cruisers to massive armored cruisers. According to the U.S. Navy, cruisers can take out airborne targets, as well as the ocean, under waves, and onshore targets.

A formal limit was placed on cruisers in 1922 by the Washington Naval Treaty. When World War II started, however, cruisers became the most used vessels once battleships were no longer utilized.

The navy used cruisers for shore raiding and bombardment, commerce raid, air defense, and more.

When the Cold War started, the navy created guided-missile cruisers. Guided-missile cruisers provided air defense for the military.

Today, six nations in the world operate cruisers, including the United States, Japan, Greece, South Korea, Peru, and Russia. Only a few cruisers remain in operation for the navy. The U.S. currently has 22 Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers in use in the navy.

Navy Cruisers and Asbestos

From the late 1920s until the late 1970s, asbestos was heavily used to construct and repair navy cruisers. Cruisers contained asbestos in:

• Ceilings
• Boiler rooms
• Engine rooms
• Insulation for pipes
• Switches
• Flooring
• Storage rooms, and more

The following are among a few of the cruisers are confirmed to have asbestos:

• USS Baltimore
• USS Columbus
• USS St. Paul
• USS Canberra
• USS Quincy
• USS Albany
• USS St. Paul
• USS Helena
• USS New Orleans
• USS Norfolk
• USS Ranger

Veterans at Risk of Developing Mesothelioma

Navy veterans are at a heightened risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases, especially those who served before the late 1970s.

Veterans responsible for repairing or upgrading cruisers had to pull out parts from the ships littered with asbestos, resulting in airborne asbestos fibers permeating the air.

Unbeknownst to them, workers continuously inhaled the tiny, fine, and odorless asbestos fibers.

Veterans who held the following job roles in the navy are also at risk:

• Electricians
• Welders
• Plumbers
• Construction workers
• Painters
• Pipefitters
• Boilermakers
• Insulators
• Crew members aboard the cruisers

Crew members were exposed to the hazardous mineral almost daily. As they performed their duties aboard cruisers, they were around asbestos anywhere on the vessels that they went.

In addition, numerous crew members worked in small rooms with inadequate ventilation, which heightened the risk of developing malignant mesothelioma and other asbestos illnesses even further.

Children and spouses of veterans are at risk as well. Since workers didn’t have proper protection when working aboard cruisers, they would come home with asbestos fibers embedded in their work clothing, hair, and on their skin. This resulted in second-hand exposure for family members.

If you served in the U.S. Navy, it’s important to get regular medical checkups from a physician. Be sure to let your physician know that you may have worked around asbestos.

Contact an experienced mesothelioma lawyer to find out what you can do to get compensation for your illness.

Help and Resources for Veterans and Their Loved Ones

If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may qualify for significant compensation. Remember to fill out our form to get your free Financial Compensation Packet, with information on experienced asbestos and mesothelioma lawyers in your area. If you need additional assistance, contact us toll-free at 800-793-4540.