Can Veterans Sue for Asbestos Exposure?

Understanding Your Rights After a Mesothelioma Diagnosis

Many U.S. veterans were unknowingly exposed to asbestos during their service. From Navy shipyards to Air Force bases, asbestos-containing materials were used in ships, aircraft, vehicles, and housing for decades. Veterans asbestos exposure has led to thousands of mesothelioma and lung cancer diagnoses across all branches of the military.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer , or another asbestos-related illness, you may be wondering:

Can veterans sue for asbestos exposure?
The answer is yes — in many cases, they can. Veterans can pursue compensation from the private companies that made or supplied asbestos products to the military, and they may also qualify for VA benefits and asbestos trust fund payments.

Related read: Can I Sue for Asbestos Exposure? The Asbestos Lawsuit Process

How Veterans Were Exposed to Asbestos in the Military

From the 1930s through the 1980s, veterans asbestos exposure occurred throughout the U.S. military due to the widespread use of heat-resistant and fireproof materials. Service members were often exposed in:

• Navy ships: boilers, pipes, gaskets, insulation, pumps, and engine rooms
• Army and Air Force bases: barracks, brake linings, ceiling tiles, and vehicle parts
• Shipyards and repair facilities: sanding, cutting, or removing asbestos materials
• Aircraft maintenance: clutches, gaskets, and insulation panels

Because the fibers are microscopic, service members inhaled or ingested them without knowing. Decades later, those fibers can cause mesothelioma or lung scarring.

Legal Options for Veterans Affected by Asbestos Exposure

1. Suing the Companies That Made or Supplied Asbestos Products

Asbestos lawsuits brought by veterans are not against the military but against private companies—such as the manufacturers of valves, insulation, gaskets, and pumps used aboard ships and bases.
These companies knew asbestos was dangerous but failed to warn service members, leading to widespread veterans asbestos exposure.

If you can show:

• You worked with or around asbestos-containing products, and
• You now have an asbestos-related illness,

…then you may be eligible to bring a legal claim for medical costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and family compensation.

2. Filing Claims With Asbestos Trust Funds

Many asbestos manufacturers went bankrupt years ago and set up trust funds to compensate people harmed by their products. Veterans and their families impacted by asbestos exposure can file claims directly with these trusts—without going to court.

Each trust has its own requirements, but most need:

• Proof of diagnosis
• Evidence of exposure (military job records, ship logs, or witness statements)
• Medical documentation

Your attorney can often file claims with multiple trusts to maximize recovery veterans asbestos exposure cases.

3. Applying for VA Benefits

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes mesothelioma and other asbestos diseases as service-connected conditions when exposure happened during active duty.
Veterans affected by asbestos exposure may qualify for:

• VA Disability Compensation (monthly tax-free payments)
• VA Health Care for treatment at approved cancer centers
• Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) for surviving spouses or dependents

You can pursue VA benefits and legal claims at the same time—one does not cancel the other.

What You’ll Need to Prove

Whether filing a lawsuit or trust claim for veterans asbestos exposure, these are the key pieces of evidence:

Your lawyer can work with military records, co-workers, and expert witnesses to build this evidence and establish the connection between your illness and military asbestos exposure.

Why Choose a Lawyer Experienced in Veteran Asbestos Cases

Veteran cases are unique. A skilled asbestos attorney understands:

• How to trace exposure aboard specific ships or bases
• How to file VA claims without affecting legal rights
• Which asbestos companies supplied the military
• How to meet filing deadlines that vary by state

At Cohen, Placitella & Roth, we’ve helped veterans and families nationwide recover compensation for asbestos-related illnesses for more than 40 years. Our team of asbestos attorneys combines decades of asbestos litigation experience with compassion for those who served.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file a claim if my loved one has passed away from veterans asbestos exposure?

Yes. Surviving family members can file a wrongful death claim or trust fund claim and may also qualify for VA survivor benefits.

What if I don’t know where I was exposed to asbestos in the military?

Our legal team can investigate your service history to identify potential asbestos products and locations of exposure. We have databases for almost every military ship that details what asbestos containing equipment was used on the ship.

Will this affect my VA benefits?

No. Filing a lawsuit or trust claim does not impact your eligibility for VA disability compensation.

How long do I have to file a veterans asbestos exposure claim?

Every state has its own statute of limitations (often one to three years after diagnosis depending on the state). Most states are two years with some extending out to 6 years like Minnesota. Because asbestos diseases appear decades later, timing is critical—talk with an attorney as soon as possible.

Take the Next Step

If you or a loved one served in the military and later developed mesothelioma, you don’t have to face this alone.

Cohen, Placitella & Roth helps veterans and families affected by veterans asbestos exposure recover the compensation they deserve from asbestos manufacturers and trusts—at no upfront cost.

Call (888) 324-7683 or visit CPRLaw.com for a free case evaluation.