Can Veterans Claim Compensation for Asbestos Cancer? Posted on February 23, 2026February 24, 2026 by Christopher Dryfoos 7 Min Read Yes, U.S. veterans with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases can get compensation from several types of mesothelioma compensation claims. With our team’s help, the process is easier than ever before. Because all branches of the military relied heavily on asbestos-containing products, veterans are disproportionately affected by asbestos-related diseases, making up more than 33% of mesothelioma cases today. Veterans can receive compensation for asbestos cancer in several ways: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits Asbestos trust funds Mesothelioma legal claims Asbestos claims after death Asbestos workers' compensation Government compensation for asbestos exposure The average compensation for asbestos cancer is over $1 million, with many veterans receiving even more in addition to monthly benefits. Outside of VA benefits, this money comes from the companies that made products with asbestos — not from the U.S. military or government. Learn about the types of asbestos cancer compensation claims and how to claim asbestos compensation now. Free Case Review for Veterans With Mesothelioma File for or increase VA benefits Get legal payouts worth $1 million+ Law firm founded by veterans Get a Free Case Review Can You Get Compensation for Asbestos Exposure? Yes, you can get compensation if asbestos exposure causes you to develop a serious illness. Many may not realize their illness is related to asbestos since it takes 20-50 years for these to develop after initial exposure. Mesothelioma is arguably the best-known asbestos-related disease, but it’s far from the only one. Other asbestos-related diseases include: Lung cancer Asbestosis Atelectasis (collapsed lung) Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) Pleural plaques Pleural thickening Laryngeal cancer Ovarian cancer Why can I claim compensation for asbestos exposure? You can claim compensation as manufacturers used asbestos in products while hiding the health risks for decades. You may be entitled to payouts, as your illness likely stems from their negligence. For example, Art Putt, a U.S. veteran with mesothelioma, worked with our legal partners to file a lawsuit against the manufacturers of asbestos brakes he was exposed to while working as a mechanic. “The financial freedom from a lawsuit was the one good thing that came out of something bad,” Art says. "We have no financial worries.” Get a Free Veterans Packet to learn more about compensation for asbestos exposure. Money can help cover treatment costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and more. Get a Free Veterans PacketGet information on: Top Treatments Best Doctors Improving Prognosis Get a Free Veterans Packet Types of Mesothelioma Compensation If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease like mesothelioma, it’s important to know that financial support is available through multiple avenues. Compensation from sources like lawsuits, trust funds, and VA benefits can provide families with peace of mind and a way to hold responsible parties accountable while addressing the practical costs of the disease. With compensation for asbestos exposure: You may start to get payouts in 90 days or less. Our legal partners will do all the work of filing for you. Mesothelioma claims award over $1 million on average. Our VA-accredited attorneys can help ensure veterans get any and all types of mesothelioma compensation they qualify for. VA benefits are not affected if veterans get compensation from legal claims. However, you only have a limited amount of time to pursue compensation from some of these sources, so be sure to act now. Don't leave millions on the table when you need it most. 1. Asbestos VA Claims Since 33% of all mesothelioma patients are military veterans, VA benefits play a major role in providing much-needed compensation as well as free health care at top cancer centers across the country. Married veterans can typically receive $4,158.17 a month or more through VA disability compensation. Veterans qualify for the highest payouts since the VA considers mesothelioma to be a 100% disability. In addition to disability compensation, the VA offers multiple benefits that cover other expenses, including additional payouts for in-home care, survivors benefits, and funeral reimbursement. “Families are surprised to learn how many VA benefits are out there, but applying for them can feel overwhelming. We help eligible families gather the information the VA requires, such as service documents, medical records, and timelines, so they can get the benefits they need.” — Major Jonathan Nelson, VA-accredited attorney & USMC veteran (Ret) We can help you apply for or increase your VA benefits if you have mesothelioma. 2. Asbestos Compensation Fund Payouts Asbestos compensation funds were established when companies that produced asbestos-based products went bankrupt to avoid lawsuits. Courts ordered them to establish trust funds to pay back the victims who were exposed to asbestos. Roughly $30 billion is still available in asbestos compensation funds as of 2026. The average payout from these funds is $300,000-$400,000 in addition to money from legal claims and VA benefits. To seek funds from an asbestos trust fund, begin with a free legal consultation from our VA-accredited attorneys. 3. Legal Compensation for Asbestos Exposure Veterans with mesothelioma can claim compensation through lawsuits filed against companies that made the asbestos products they were exposed to. These lawsuits are not filed against the military or government. The average value of a mesothelioma lawsuit is $1 million or more. Our VA-accredited legal partners can help determine if you qualify to file a lawsuit, and if so, can build and file one on your behalf. Did you know?Mesothelioma lawsuits award compensation through out-of-court settlements or trial verdicts. Our partner mesothelioma attorneys will ensure your lawsuit is as strong as possible and will fight to get the highest payouts in your case. Over 99% of lawsuits reach out-of-court mesothelioma settlements, providing a quicker pathway to financial relief. With help from our legal partners, U.S. veterans with mesothelioma may start to receive the first payouts in just a few months. 4. Asbestos Compensation After Death When a veteran dies from mesothelioma, surviving family members may be able to file a wrongful death claim against the companies responsible for the asbestos exposure. This can result in compensation for funeral and burial expenses, outstanding medical bills, lost income and benefits, and the profound loss. Even if the veteran did not file a personal injury claim during their lifetime, families can often still pursue a wrongful death case. Experienced mesothelioma attorneys can investigate the veteran’s service history, identify where exposure occurred, and manage the legal process, so families can focus on healing. 5. Asbestos Workers' Compensation Veterans who developed mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure on the job may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, even if the exposure happened years ago. Workers’ compensation can help cover medical expenses related to mesothelioma, provide partial wage replacement if the veteran was unable to work, and offer death benefits to surviving family in some cases. The exact amount varies by state and circumstances, but monthly workers' compensation payments range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on the severity of the illness and the worker’s prior earnings. However, it's a limited source of financial support for treatment and ongoing care compared to legal claims. 6. Asbestos Government Compensation Veterans and others diagnosed with mesothelioma may also qualify for government compensation programs designed to provide financial support for asbestos-related illnesses. Asbestos government compensation can include: Federal or state disability benefits Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Other public assistance programs for asbestos exposure Payment amounts vary based on the program, but monthly benefits can range from several hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on the victim's work history, severity of illness, and family situation. How to Apply for Asbestos Compensation To apply for asbestos compensation, you need to find a lawyer who specializes in mesothelioma and can help ensure you're pursuing the most money possible for your illness from the companies responsible. They can prove your asbestos exposure history, file your claims, and handle all communications on your behalf. Our legal partners, including VA-accredited attorneys, can do all the work related to building and filing legal claims and asbestos trust fund claims. We’ll also help you file for or increase your VA benefits if you have mesothelioma. There are three easy ways to apply right now: Call (877) 450-8973: You’ll connect with our Patient Advocates, who can help you pursue mesothelioma compensation, if eligible. Contact us now: Fill out the contact form, and we’ll connect with you as quickly as possible to discuss the specifics of your case. Get a free case review: Our team will review the facts of your diagnosis and determine if you can pursue compensation. Working with mesothelioma lawyers can help you get the most compensation available for your family, while ensuring you're getting the most out of the benefits you deserve. "Don't fall into the trap that the VA claim is your best and only solution. We tell our veterans that you should always file the mesothelioma lawsuit because it is a place where you're going to get full compensation. Once the veteran is deceased, the family doesn't receive the same monthly benefit as they once did." – Ricky LeBlanc, VA-Accredited Mesothelioma Attorney at Sokolove Law How Much Are Asbestos Cancer Compensation Claims Payouts? Mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos cancers are usually aggressive and difficult to treat. Few doctors have experience with this rare cancer, so families often have to travel to see specialists. Insurance often doesn't cover everything, leaving families footing the costs. Whether you get compensation from the VA, a lawsuit, or asbestos trust funds, the payouts are typically substantial. Here’s how much compensation is available from: VA benefits: As of 2026, veterans who are married can usually receive $4,158.17 or more per month in disability payouts. Asbestos cancer compensation claims: Compensation for asbestos cancer is between $1 million and $11.4 million on average, depending on whether the case results in a settlement or verdict. Asbestos compensation funds: Over $30 billion is contained in asbestos trust funds, and by filing a claim, you can access your share of this money. Asbestos government compensation: Certain federal, state, or local government programs may provide additional financial assistance, including disability benefits, SSDI, or other public benefit programs for individuals diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases who meet eligibility requirements. Asbestos workers' compensation: If asbestos exposure occurred on the job, workers’ compensation benefits may cover medical expenses and provide partial wage replacement, regardless of who was at fault. By working with one of the best mesothelioma law firms, you can ensure you're getting the maximum payouts possible to help with your medical care, everyday expenses, and providing for your family. Asbestos Compensation Amounts Our legal partners like veteran-founded Simmons Hanly Conroy and well-established Sokolove Law have secured significant compensation for many veterans and families impacted by mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Here are some recent payouts secured for veterans with mesothelioma: $40 million for U.S. Navy veteran Walt Twidwell $34 million to a California mechanic and veteran $4.3 million for the family of a U.S. Marine who died of mesothelioma $3.4 million to a Florida U.S. Navy veteran $1.76 million for a Texas U.S. Army veteran $4.25 million to a U.S. Air Force veteran in Indiana $4.3 million for a Florida Army veteran $11.26 million to a U.S. Air Force veteran in Arizona Regardless of the type of compensation, the amounts are often substantial, providing significant help with treatment and other expenses. Get Compensation for Asbestos Cancer Now If you’re a veteran with mesothelioma, you deserve compensation for asbestos-related diseases — and the top mesothelioma lawyers in our network can help you get it. What happened to you wasn't your fault. Asbestos companies knew these risks but hid them from workers and the government. There are no costs to work with our team and pursue the compensation you need. Find out why we're able to maximize compensation for asbestos cancer: Decades of asbestos litigation experience Billions of dollars successfully recovered across all 50 states Thousands of veterans and civilians with asbestos diseases helped "Veterans never deserved to develop mesothelioma from serving their country. Yet our firm speaks with veterans and families struggling to grapple with the medical, personal, and financial uncertainty this cancer brings every day." – Brian Cooke, Military Asbestos Exposure Lawyer & USMC Veteran Call (877) 450-8973 or get a free case review now to see how we can help you or someone you love with mesothelioma pursue the compensation you need. Our team at Mesothelioma Veterans Center looks forward to hearing your story and helping your family.