Lung Cancer, Mesothelioma, and Marine Veterans

United States Marine Corps veterans who were exposed to asbestos during their service are at risk of developing mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases. We can help USMC 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 if you may be eligible.

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Written and Fact-Checked by: Lung Cancer Group

Last updated: January 18, 2024

Top Topics:

Marines With Asbestos Cancers
Asbestos Use in the Marine Corps
Compensation for Lung Cancer & Mesothelioma
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Why Are Marines at Risk of Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer?

The U.S. Marine Corps, like all branches of the military, used asbestos from the 1930s until the 1980s. This naturally-occurring mineral is durable, heat-resistant, and cheap — but it can also cause serious illnesses like cancer.

When asbestos fibers are disturbed or damaged, they can become airborne. Marines working with or around asbestos could breathe in these microscopic fibers, which remain in the body for years and irritate healthy tissue.

Marine veterans exposed to asbestos could be at risk of:

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

Other lung conditions, like asbestosis, may also impact USMC veterans.

Companies that made products containing asbestos hid the danger of this material in order to protect their profits, which led to millions of veterans being exposed to asbestos.

If you or a loved one is a U.S. veteran with lung cancer or mesothelioma after serving in the Marines, our team may be able to help you secure VA benefits, legal compensation, and justice. Find out if you qualify for assistance now with a free case review.

Marine Veterans and Mesothelioma Symptoms

Symptoms of both mesothelioma and lung cancer can take 10-50 years to develop, so it’s important for U.S. Marine Corps veterans who were exposed to asbestos to be aware of the signs of asbestos-related diseases — even if the exposure took place decades ago.

Early detection may allow Marines with mesothelioma or lung cancer to receive treatments that could help them live longer.

Symptoms of both mesothelioma and lung cancer can include:

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

If you were exposed to asbestos while serving in the Marine Corps and you’re now experiencing any of these symptoms, contact a doctor as soon as possible.

Asbestos Use in the Marine Corps

When training, working, or simply living on base, members of the Marine Corps could have come into contact with asbestos.

Learn more about how the U.S. Marine Corps used asbestos.

Marine Bases & Barracks

Many buildings across Marine Corp bases contained asbestos. This material could be found in floor tiles, insulation, and more.

Marine Corps bases with asbestos included:

Camp Lejeune in North Carolina
Camp Pendleton in California
Marine Corps Air Station Yuma in Arizona
Parris Island Recruiting Depot in South Carolina

Marine Vehicles

Marine vehicles were often built with asbestos-containing materials.

Asbestos could often be found in:

Brakes and brake pads
Engines
Gaskets
Insulation

Marines who worked as mechanics or repairmen of Marine vehicles were at a particularly high risk of asbestos exposure.

Marine Corps Shipyards

Shipyards are known for being one of the worst places in terms of asbestos exposure for workers, and military shipyards are no exception.

All Marine Corps shipbuilding and repair work took place in shipyards, and asbestos was constantly released into the air by workers and repairmen, potentially affecting everyone nearby.

It’s believed that actor and Marine Corps veteran Steve McQueen, who passed away from mesothelioma, was exposed to asbestos at a shipyard.

Navy Ships

Marines who served on Navy ships were likely exposed to asbestos. This is because almost every Naval vessel relied on asbestos between the 1930s and early 1980s due to government mandates and the need for fireproofing.

On Navy ships, asbestos could be found in:

Bulkheads
Boilers
Cables
Ceiling tiles
Deck flooring
Engines
Gaskets
Insulation
Pipes
Valves

Since ships have poor ventilation below deck, fibers from asbestos-based products could remain in the air for hours at a time, putting Marines at an increased risk of exposure.

Marine Corps Jobs at High Risk of Asbestos Exposure

While all Marines who served during the 20th century may have been exposed to asbestos, some worked with asbestos products on a daily basis as part of their jobs.

Marine jobs with a high risk of asbestos exposure include:

Boiler room workers
Construction workers
Engine room workers
Firemen
Insulators
Mechanics
Pipefitters
Repairmen
Shipyard workers

Members of the Marine Corps who held these higher-risk roles before the military stopped using asbestos products should regularly monitor their health and look for signs of mesothelioma or lung cancer.

Secondhand Asbestos Exposure Risk in Marine Corps Families

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

Marine service members who worked with asbestos may have unknowingly carried stray fibers home on their clothing, skin, or hair, accidentally exposing their families.

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

Compensation for Marines Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer

If you or a loved one was diagnosed with lung cancer or mesothelioma after serving in the Marine Corps, 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

Marine Corps veterans who developed mesothelioma or lung cancer after being exposed to asbestos in the military may be eligible for disability compensation and health care offered by the VA.

Did You Know?

Veterans with mesothelioma almost always receive a 100% VA disability rating. This means they’re typically eligible for almost $4,000 a month or more through disability compensation.

If a Marine Corps veteran in your family passed away from lung cancer or mesothelioma, you may also be able to access VA benefits. The VA offers survivors benefits and compensation for funeral expenses to support the loved ones of veterans.

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 might receive more based on the specifics of their case.

Almost all lawsuits are resolved through mesothelioma or lung cancer settlements, which means you likely won’t have to appear in court to receive compensation.

In the event that a veteran has already passed away from their illness, you or a 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 companies that made the asbestos products you were exposed to while in the Marine Corps declared bankruptcy, you may still be able to pursue compensation for your lung cancer or mesothelioma diagnosis by filing trust fund claims.

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

Marine Corps 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 U.S. Marine Veterans With Mesothelioma or Lung Cancer

At Lung Cancer Group, our team is here to support U.S. Marine Corps veterans with lung cancer or mesothelioma.

We may be able to help you access:

VA health care and disability benefits
Compensation from lawsuits and trust funds
Mesothelioma treatment options

Our team works with asbestos lawyers across the country who can help Marines with lung cancer or mesothelioma pursue the justice they deserve. We can connect you with an experienced attorney if you qualify.

Call (877) 446-5767 now or get a free case review to find out more about the options available to you.

Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma Marine Corps FAQs

Why do Marine veterans get mesothelioma?

Exposure to asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma, and many Marine veterans were likely exposed to asbestos during their military service.

This dangerous mineral could be found in ships, vehicles, and buildings across Marine Corps bases between the 1930s and early 1980s.

At the time, the Marine Corps didn’t know the dangers of asbestos-containing products — private companies did, though, and hid the risks to keep making money.

Is asbestos still used in the Marines?

The Marine Corps stopped using asbestos to make new assets in the 1980s. While there may still be some products containing asbestos found in older ships, bases, and vehicles, the military has taken steps to safely manage and secure these products.

Can you get compensation for lung cancer caused by asbestos?

Yes. U.S. Marine Corps veterans with asbestos lung cancer may be able to pursue compensation from:

Lung cancer lawsuits
Trust fund claims
VA benefits

Settlements for asbestos lung cancer are typically around $100,000, but USMC veterans may be able to secure much more than this with the help of an experienced lung cancer lawyer.

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 married U.S. Marine Corps veterans with mesothelioma. Patients may also be able to access free or low-cost health care through the VA.

Lung Cancer group can help you file a VA claim or increase your current disability rating. Get a free case review now to find out how we may be able to support you.

Did all branches of the military use asbestos?

Yes. Before the dangerous of asbestos were known, it was used by all military branches:

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