Lung Cancer, Mesothelioma, and Coast Guard Veterans

The United States Coast Guard used asbestos in ships, shipyards, and bases for decades. This put members of the Coast Guard at risk of asbestos-related diseases like lung cancer and mesothelioma. We can help USCG veterans with these illnesses pursue benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and legal compensation. Call (877) 446-5767 now to find out your eligibility.

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Written and Fact-Checked by: Lung Cancer Group

Last updated: October 1, 2024

Top Topics:

Asbestos Cancers in Veterans
How Did the USCG Use Asbestos?
Compensation for Lung Cancer & Mesothelioma
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U.S. Coast Guard Veterans With Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer

All branches of the U.S. military used asbestos throughout the 20th century, including the Coast Guard. Exposure to asbestos put service members at risk of lung cancer, mesothelioma, and other asbestos-related illnesses.

It can take 10-50 years for these diseases to develop, so Coast Guard veterans who were exposed to asbestos decades ago are still at risk of mesothelioma and lung cancer today.

If you or a loved one is a U.S. veteran with lung cancer or mesothelioma after serving in the Coast Guard, our team may be able to help you secure VA benefits, legal compensation, and justice. Learn more with our Free Lung Cancer Guide.

Health Challenges from Asbestos Cancers in Coast Guard Veterans

USCG veterans could be at risk of asbestos-related diseases like:

Mesothelioma, which forms in the lining of the lungs, heart, abdomen, or testicles. While this aggressive cancer is incredibly rare, around 33% of all people diagnosed with mesothelioma are U.S. military veterans.
Lung cancer, which forms directly in the lungs and it is the second-most common type of cancer in the United States. Veterans die from lung cancer more than any other type of cancer.

Early detection of these asbestos-related cancers is crucial, as there may be additional treatment options available to Coast Guard veterans that can potentially help them live longer.

Being aware of the symptoms linked to asbestos-related diseases can help to identify them earlier.

Symptoms of both mesothelioma and lung cancer can include:

A persistent cough
Chest pain
Coughing up blood
Fatigue
Shortness of breath
Weight loss

Make sure to see a doctor immediately if you were exposed to asbestos decades ago and are now experiencing any of the symptoms listed above.

How Did the U.S. Coast Guard Use Asbestos?

Members of the U.S. Coast Guard, especially those who served before the 1990s, were at a high risk of asbestos exposure.

Asbestos was valued for its fire-resistant properties, durability, and affordability. It could be found in many products used by the Coast Guard, including shipbuilding materials and insulation.

Asbestos-containing products used by the Coast Guard included:

AdhesivesU.S. Marine Corps
Cement
Floor tiles
Gaskets
Heat-resistant clothing
Insulation
Lagging
Valves
Wiring

For decades, manufacturers hid the fact that their asbestos-containing products could cause life-threatening illnesses.

When asbestos-based products are damaged or begin to break down, microscopic asbestos fibers become airborne. Anyone who breathes in or swallows the fibers could develop mesothelioma 10-50 years later.

The U.S. military and the public became aware of the health issues linked to asbestos in the late 1970s. At this time, the Coast Guard and all other military branches stopped using asbestos and took steps to renovate older buildings and vessels containing the substance.

However, this took time, and millions of service members had already been exposed. Find out more about where asbestos was used in the U.S. Coast Guard.

Coast Guard Ships and Asbestos

Due to its heat- and water-resistant properties, asbestos was used in nearly all components of Coast Guard vessels. Ships with asbestos included cutters, ice breaks, and patrol boats.

Since there was often poor ventilation below deck on Coast Guard ships, fibers from asbestos-based products could remain in the air for hours at a time, putting sailors at an increased risk of exposure.

Almost 250 cutters made before 1991 were built with asbestos, according to an internal review conducted by the U.S Coast Guard.

Coast Guard cutters that used asbestos included:

USCGC Androscoggin (WHEC-68)
USCGC Active (WMEC-618)
USCGC Barataria (WHEC-381)
USCGC Bibb (WPG-31)
USCGC Casco (WHEC-370)
USCGC Coos Bay (WHEC-376)
USCGC Dauntless (WMEC-624)
USCGC Decisive (WMEC-629)
USCGC Escanaba (WHEC-64)
USCGC Escape (WMEC-6)
USCGC Gallatin (WHEC-721)
USCGC Gresham (WHEC-387)
USCGC Humboldt (WHEC-372)
USCGC Half Moon (WHEC-378)
USCGC Iroquois (WHEC-43)
USCGC Jarvis (WHEC-725)
USCGC Klamath (WHEC-66)
USCGC Mackinac (WHEC-373)
USCGC Munro (WHEC-724)
USCGC Owasco (WHEC-39)
USCGC Pontchartrain (WHEC-70)
USCGC Resolute (WMEC-620)
USCGC Rockaway (WHEC-377)
USCGC Sherman (WHEC-720)
USCGC Spencer (WPG-36)
USCGC Tampa (WPG-48)
USCGC Taney (WPG-37)
USCGC Unimak (WHEC-379)
USCGC Valiant (WMEC-621)
USCGC Vigorous (WMEC-627)
USCGC Winnebago (WHEC-40)
USCGC Yakutat (WHEC-380)

This is only a partial list of Coast Guard cutters that used asbestos. Call (877) 446-5767 to find out if a ship you served on may have put you at risk of lung cancer or mesothelioma.

Asbestos in Coast Guard Shipyards

Shipbuilding and repairs often took place in Coast Guard shipyards. While Coast Guard ships were worked on, asbestos-containing products were installed, removed, and repaired, sending fibers flying into the air.

As a result, Coast Guard shipyard workers were among those at the highest risk of asbestos exposure.

Notably, the Curtis Bay Coast Guard Yard in Maryland has been linked to many cases of lung cancer and mesothelioma among veterans.

Coast Guard Bases With Asbestos

Military bases across the country were built with asbestos-containing products before the early 1980s, which put service members at risk of lung cancer, mesothelioma, and other asbestos-related diseases later in life.

The Coast Guard, which was no exception, used products containing asbestos in training centers, mess halls, and other buildings across the base.

Some of the Coast Guard bases that used asbestos include:

U.S. Coast Guard Base in Alameda, California
U.S. Coast Guard Base in Gloucester, New Jersey
U.S. Coast Guard Base in Long Beach, California
U.S. Coast Guard Station in Connecticut
U.S. Coast Guard Yard in Maryland

Our team is standing by to help U.S. Coast Guard veterans with lung cancer or mesothelioma get VA benefits and compensation. Connect with us now.

Coast Guard Jobs at High Risk of Asbestos Exposure

Throughout the 20th century, anyone who served in the Coast Guard could have been exposed to asbestos. However, some jobs put service members at an especially high risk of exposure.

Coast Guard jobs at high risk of asbestos exposure include:

Boiler room workers
Construction workers
Electricians
Engine room workers
Insulators
Mechanics
Pipefitters
Shipyard workers

Coast Guard personnel who served in these roles had to handle asbestos-containing products on a daily basis. During their duties, fibers could enter the air, putting those nearby at risk of inhaling them.

Secondhand Asbestos Exposure in Coast Guard Families

Coast Guard veterans are not the only ones at risk of asbestos-related illnesses like lung cancer. Their family members and loved ones could also be in danger due to secondhand asbestos exposure.

Coast Guard service members who worked with asbestos-containing materials may have unknowingly carried stray fibers home on their clothing, skin, or hair, unintentionally exposing their families.

Many family members of Coast Guard veterans have gone on to develop asbestos-related lung cancer and mesothelioma as a result of secondhand exposure to asbestos.

Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma Coast Guard Compensation

If you or a loved one was diagnosed with lung cancer or mesothelioma after serving in the Coast Guard, you may be able to seek justice and pursue compensation for your illness.

Mesothelioma and lung cancer compensation is available through VA benefits, lawsuits, and asbestos trust funds. These options can help families pay for medical bills, lost wages, daily living expenses, and more.

Find out more about the compensation options that may be available to you.

VA Benefits for Coast Guard Veterans

Coast Guard veterans who developed mesothelioma or lung cancer after being exposed to asbestos in the military may be eligible for VA benefits.

VA benefits for Coast Guard mesothelioma and lung cancer can include:

Disability compensation
Funeral and burial expenses
Pensions
Survivor benefits
VA health care

Did You Know?

Mesothelioma has a 100% VA disability rating, which means some veterans may be eligible for nearly $4,000 a month or more through disability compensation.

Our team can help you pursue VA benefit payouts for qualifying asbestos-related diseases right now. Call (877) 446-5767 to learn more.

Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma Lawsuits

Veterans may qualify to file lawsuits against the companies that manufactured or sold the asbestos-containing products they were exposed to. The U.S. military and government won’t be sued and you can still get VA benefits if you file a lawsuit.

Lawsuits can award significant financial compensation:

Mesothelioma lawsuits typically pay out $1 million to $11.4 million on average to U.S. veterans or civilians.
The average lung cancer lawsuit awards $100,000, but many veterans receive much more based on the specifics of their case.

Almost all lawsuits are resolved through mesothelioma or lung cancer settlements, which means you may not have to appear in court to receive compensation.

In the event that a veteran has already passed away from their illness, a family member or loved one may be eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit on their behalf.

Mesothelioma and lung cancer lawsuits can be filed with the help of an experienced asbestos attorney, who will handle every step of the legal process on your behalf.

Asbestos Trust Fund Claims

Many asbestos companies filed for bankruptcy to avoid being sued. However, these companies were required to put money into asbestos trust funds to compensate current and future victims.

If the company that made the asbestos products you were exposed to in the Coast Guard has declared bankruptcy, you may still be able to file a claim to pursue compensation for your lung cancer or mesothelioma diagnosis.

There is an estimated $30 billion still remaining in asbestos trust funds today.

Coast Guard veterans and their loved ones are often able to pursue compensation from the VA, lawsuits, and trust fund claims at the same time.

We can help you determine what you may be eligible for during a free case review.

Help for Coast Guard Veterans With Mesothelioma or Lung Cancer

U.S. Coast Guard veterans and their families should not have to navigate a lung cancer or mesothelioma diagnosis alone.

Lung Cancer Group is here to help Coast Guard veterans and anyone else harmed by asbestos-related diseases get justice.

By working with our team, you may be able to access:

Benefits offered by the VA
Compensation from lawsuits and trust funds
Mesothelioma treatment options

We can also connect you with top asbestos attorneys if you qualify. An attorney can guide you through the legal process and pursue compensation on your behalf. The lawyers that we work with don’t charge any upfront or hourly fees.

Find out if we may be able to help you following a mesothelioma or lung cancer diagnosis. Call (877) 446-5767 now or get a free case review to discover the options available to you.

FAQs About Lung Cancer, Mesothelioma, and Coast Guard Veterans

How were Coast Guard veterans exposed to asbestos?

U.S. Coast Guard veterans could have been exposed to asbestos-based products used on ships, shipyards, and military bases.

When these products were damaged or worn down, members of the Coast Guard could have swallowed or breathed in airborne asbestos fibers.

Simply living or working on Coast Guard ships or military bases put thousands of service members at risk of asbestos exposure — and it only takes a single asbestos fiber to cause serious illnesses like mesothelioma or lung cancer.

Does the Coast Guard still use asbestos today?

The Coast Guard stopped using asbestos in new vessels after 1991. However, many older ships built before this time could still be in use today.

The Coast Guard published a list of nearly 250 ships that were built with asbestos and still in service as of 2017.

Most vessels have been renovated to keep Coast Guard veterans safe. Some ships may have asbestos-containing products aboard, but in these cases, the materials have been assessed and pose almost no risk to human health.

What is the VA disability rating for mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma has a 100% disability rating from the VA, which awards nearly $4,000 a month to U.S. Coast Guard veterans with mesothelioma. Patients may also be able to access free health care through the VA.

Lung Cancer group can help you file a VA claim or increase your current disability rating.

How much compensation is available for mesothelioma Coast Guard veterans?

Significant compensation may be available for U.S. Coast Guard veterans with mesothelioma.

Compensation options for Coast Guard veterans include:

Asbestos trust funds, which typically award a total of $300,000 to $400,000
Mesothelioma settlements, which are worth $1 million to $1.4 million on average
Mesothelioma verdicts, which are worth $5 million to $11.4 million on average
VA benefits for mesothelioma, which are usually nearly $4,000 a month

In some cases, Coast Guard veterans and their families are able to access trust funds, settlements or verdicts, and VA payouts all at the same time.

Get a free case review now to find out how we may be able to support you.

What is the average settlement for asbestos lung cancer?

The average settlement for asbestos lung cancer is $100,000, but some Coast Guard veterans or their family members may be able to receive much more.

The lawyers we work with have secured significant compensation for families impacted by asbestos lung cancer, including:

$1 million for a lung cancer patient in New York
$912,000 to a West Virginia patient with non-small cell lung cancer
Over $800,000 for a stage 4 lung cancer patient
$760,000 to a man who was exposed to asbestos in boiler rooms
$757,000 for an Ohio lung cancer patient

Lung Cancer Group’s patient advocates may be able to help you pursue compensation following a lung cancer diagnosis. Call (877) 446-5767 now to find you if you may be eligible.

Did all branches of the military use asbestos?

Yes. Before the dangerous of asbestos were known, asbestos was used by the:

After the 1980s, all branches of the military took steps to remove or secure the asbestos-containing products on bases, ships, and aircraft.