Fort Bragg Asbestos Exposure

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Fort Bragg and Mesothelioma Risks

Located near Fayetteville, North Carolina, Fort Bragg has long been one of the largest U.S. Army bases in the country. Established in 1918, the base became a major training and deployment hub for the U.S. Army Airborne Division and other units.

However, like many Army bases during the 20th century, Fort Bragg used asbestos in numerous construction materials throughout its buildings. Aging, maintenance work, and renovations could release asbestos fibers into the air, exposing service members.

Many U.S. Army veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma today were exposed decades earlier during their time at bases like Fort Bragg.

Quick Facts on Fort Bragg & Asbestos

• Also known as: Camp Bragg, Fort Liberty, Fort Bragg Army Base
• Asbestos products: Floor tiles, insulation, fireproofing materials, and HVAC components
• Health risks: Mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, and other asbestos-related diseases
• Who was at risk: Army construction workers, maintenance crews, and families living on base

If you or a loved one served at Fort Bragg and now has mesothelioma, we can help you file for benefits offered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and recover other essential resources. Get our Free Veterans Packet to learn more.

List of Asbestos Products Used at Fort Bragg Army Base

A wide range of buildings and structures across Fort Bragg relied on components containing asbestos for decades. These materials were favored by the Army as they were cheap, versatile, durable, and fireproof.

As a result, many Army service members risked exposure to asbestos on a regular basis, which could cause them to get sick later in life.

At Fort Bragg, asbestos was commonly used in:

• Boiler insulation and fireproofing materials
• Ceiling tiles and wallboard insulation
• Electrical insulation materials and wiring
• Floor tiles and adhesives used in barracks and offices
• Gaskets and packing used in machinery
• HVAC insulation systems
• Pipe insulation used in heating systems
• Roofing shingles and cement panels

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  “Many military buildings that were constructed from the 1930s to the 1980s contained asbestos in insulation, fireproofing, and soundproofing. So people who were involved in the construction of those buildings could have been exposed to asbestos.”

  — Major Jonathan Nelson (Ret), VA-accredited attorney & Marine Corps veteran

All types of buildings, ranging from administrative offices to Army barracks and even base housing, may have contained asbestos products.

U.S. Army personnel didn’t realize that asbestos-containing materials were harmful. This is because manufacturers hid the health risks so they could continue to profit from their use.

High-Risk Asbestos Exposure Occupations at Fort Bragg

Anyone who served at Fort Bragg prior to the early 1980s could have been at risk of asbestos exposure. With that said, several military roles carried an increased risk because they put U.S. veterans in direct contact with asbestos on an everyday basis.

No level of asbestos exposure is considered safe, but those who are exposed routinely have a higher chance of developing mesothelioma or other serious health problems later in life.

Fort Bragg roles with a high risk of exposure included:

• Boiler operators and repair technicians
• Building maintenance staff
• Construction workers and engineers
• Electricians working with insulated wiring
• HVAC technicians and maintenance workers
• Mechanics and vehicle repair personnel

These roles often involved working directly with insulation and other asbestos-containing materials. While U.S. Army veterans may remember working with or around asbestos, they didn't realize the danger.

This is because many private manufacturers of the products in question concealed the truth for decades to make significant profits, disregarding the health of brave service members in the process.

Secondhand Fort Bragg Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos exposure at Fort Bragg wasn’t limited to active-duty personnel. Loved ones who lived in family housing on base may have also been put at risk of secondary asbestos exposure.

When Army service members who worked with or around asbestos could come home, they would often bring asbestos dust and fibers with them on their equipment, uniforms, and skin. This routinely exposed family members, putting them in danger of mesothelioma and other serious illnesses decades later.

We may be able to assist with filing for VA benefits, exploring treatments, and securing compensation if you were exposed to asbestos at Fort Bragg and later got sick. Get our Free Veterans Packet to learn more.

Modern-Day Asbestos Risks at Fort Bragg

The U.S. Army no longer uses asbestos in the construction of new buildings or bases. However, older structures at Fort Bragg may still contain asbestos today.

Without proper precautions, Army personnel could be exposed during renovations or demolition work at Fort Bragg.

In 2022, the Army had to move over 1,200 soldiers living in Fort Bragg’s aging Smoke Bomb Hill barracks to other housing due to ongoing problems with mold and asbestos.

Health Risks Linked to Fort Bragg Asbestos Exposure

U.S. Army veterans and loved ones exposed to asbestos while serving at Fort Bragg could go on to develop serious asbestos-related illnesses, including cancers like mesothelioma.

These diseases can take 10-50 years to appear after initial exposure, so many U.S. Army veterans are diagnosed long after leaving military service.

The most serious asbestos-related diseases include:

• Mesothelioma: This rare and aggressive cancer forms in the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or other body parts. Asbestos exposure is the only known cause of this disease. U.S. veterans account for 33% of mesothelioma cases due to widespread military asbestos exposure.
• Lung cancer: Asbestos exposure can significantly increase the risk of lung cancer. This is especially true among veterans who worked in environments where asbestos fibers were frequently disturbed.
• Asbestosis: This chronic lung disease can be caused by breathing asbestos fibers. The fibers cause scarring in the lungs, leading to significant breathing complications over time.

If you or a U.S. Army veteran you love developed any of these illnesses, it's not your fault. You and thousands of other veterans have been put at risk of getting sick because private manufacturers hid the health risks of asbestos exposure.

VA Benefits for Fort Bragg Asbestos Exposure

Army veterans who have developed asbestos-related diseases stemming from military service may qualify for a wide range of benefits through the VA.

These mesothelioma VA benefits are designed to help veterans and family members manage the medical and financial challenges associated with asbestos-related diseases. Mesothelioma is usually considered a 100% VA disability, meaning U.S. veterans have the lowest copays and highest monthly financial payouts.

Available VA benefits for asbestos victims may include:

• Disability compensation: Monthly payments for veterans with mesothelioma, typically worth $4,158.17 monthly.
• Health care: Access to specialized treatment through VA hospitals and medical centers.
• Aid & Attendance (A&A): Financial assistance for veterans who require help with daily activities.
• Housebound benefits: Support for veterans whose medical condition limits their ability to leave home.
• Survivor benefits: Compensation and support for loved ones of U.S. veterans who have passed away.

At the Mesothelioma Veterans Center, we can help you file for mesothelioma VA benefits for free. Major Nelson is a VA-accredited attorney and an expert in the VA claims process, making it much easier for you to get the benefits you deserve. Get started now.

Compensation for Fort Bragg Asbestos Exposure

If you or a veteran you love developed mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease after serving at Fort Bragg, you may be entitled to asbestos compensation in addition to your VA benefits through the legal system.

You can still get full mesothelioma VA benefits if you decide to pursue legal compensation, and you won’t be involved with the military or government. Instead, any legal action is taken against manufacturers of asbestos-containing materials that hid the dangers from you and countless others.

Compensation options available for veterans include:

• Mesothelioma lawsuits: These typically award $1 million or more, with the first payouts coming in 90 days or less through asbestos settlements.
• Asbestos trust funds: Over $30 billion is available through these trust funds for those with asbestos-related diseases, without involving a lawsuit.
• Wrongful death lawsuits: Families who lost a veteran to mesothelioma may be able to file a wrongful death claim, many of which pay out $1 million.

The Mesothelioma Veterans Center has partnered with Simmons Hanly Conroy and Sokolove Law, leading law firms with fellow U.S. veterans and VA-accredited attorneys on staff, to guide veterans like you through the legal process. They’ll handle all the steps, making it easier and less stressful.

Helping Veterans With Mesothelioma From Fort Bragg Asbestos Exposure

U.S. Army veterans like you didn’t realize that asbestos exposure at Fort Bragg could lead to life-threatening diseases like mesothelioma 10-50 years later. Today, many fellow veterans have gotten sick when they should have been enjoying retirement.

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be incredibly stressful, but our team is ready to support you and your family during this time.

Major Nelson and our team can help you:

• File for or increase your VA benefits
• More clearly understand your treatment options
• Pursue financial compensation
• Receive the support your family needs

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  “I want to make sure veterans have the opportunity to get the benefits they need now and to make sure their families are provided for in the future.”

  — Major Jonathan Nelson (Ret), VA-accredited attorney & Marine Corps veteran

Call (877) 450-8973 or get a Free Veterans Packet now to find out more about military asbestos exposure, mesothelioma VA benefits, and other resources available to you.