Fort Knox Asbestos Exposure

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About Fort Knox and the Risk of Mesothelioma

Founded in 1918 in Hardin County, Kentucky, Fort Knox has played an important role in the U.S. Army and the broader U.S. military for decades.

Known today for the U.S. Bullion Depository, a massive storehouse of gold, this Army base also played a key role in World War II, when thousands of service members trained to lead armed divisions and operate tanks.

Yet Fort Knox may have put service members in danger of serious illnesses. Like many military bases built during the mid-20th century, Fort Knox relied on construction materials containing asbestos. Army personnel exposed could go on to develop mesothelioma or other serious illnesses later in life.

Quick Facts About Fort Knox & Asbestos

• Asbestos products: Floor tiles, drywall, roofing materials, gaskets, insulation, and fireproofing materials
• Health dangers: Asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis
• Who was at risk: Construction workers, maintenance personnel, and families living on base

We may be able to help if you or a loved one has mesothelioma and served at Fort Knox. We can assist with pursuing benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), exploring treatments, and seeking compensation. Get started with our Free Veterans Packet.

How Was Asbestos Used at Fort Knox?

Asbestos was incorporated into many building systems across U.S. Army bases throughout the 20th century. Fort Knox was no exception.

Products containing asbestos were widely used in army barracks, mechanical systems, and other facilities across U.S. Army bases like Fort Knox.

Asbestos products used at Fort Knox included:

• Adhesives
• Automotive parts like brake pads
• Boilers
• Ceiling products
• Drywall
• Flooring
• HVAC systems
• Insulation
• Pipes
• Roofing shingles
• Wall 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

As buildings aged, repairs and renovations could release dangerous asbestos fibers into the air. U.S. Army personnel working with or around asbestos products could breathe the fibers in without realizing it.

Once inside the body, the fibers could cause long-term irritation that leads to mesothelioma 10-50 years later.

High-Risk Fort Knox Asbestos Exposure Jobs

Anyone serving at Fort Knox could have risked exposure to asbestos-containing products. With that said, some military roles came with a higher risk than others, as they required Army personnel to handle asbestos materials on an everyday basis.

Fort Knox Army occupations at risk of asbestos exposure included:

• Boiler operators and equipment technicians
• Building maintenance crews
• Construction engineers and workers
• Electricians working with insulated wiring
• HVAC technicians responsible for heating systems
• Vehicle mechanics and maintenance personnel

U.S. Army service members did not realize that asbestos-containing materials were dangerous. This is because private manufacturers hid the health risks from those serving, as well as the general public, for decades to make a profit.

Secondhand Fort Knox Asbestos Exposure

Many family members lived in base housing while their relatives served in the U.S. Army. If service members came in contact with asbsetos as part of their military duties, they could expose loved ones living on base upon returning home. This is known as secondary asbestos exposure.

Today, spouses and children of U.S. Army veterans stationed at Fort Knox run a higher risk of mesothelioma and other cancers directly as a result of secondhand asbestos exposure that occurred decades ago.

This exposure wasn’t your fault. We’re here to help you seek the VA benefits, treatment, and compensation you deserve after a mesothelioma diagnosis. Learn more with our Free Veterans Packet.

Modern-Day Asbestos Dangers at Fort Knox

While asbestos is no longer used in the new construction of military bases, older structures at Fort Knox and other Army installations may have asbestos present even today.

For example, Fort Knox’s Ireland Army Community Hospital underwent a major demolition project that lasted through 2022. Because the hospital had been built with asbestos, significant remediation efforts had to be undertaken in order to prevent exposure.

“They are going to be doing a lot of interior asbestos abatement. Anyone passing by won’t know that the demolition is going on, other than maybe some dumpsters appearing outside.”
– Nick Bibelhauser, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Health Risks Linked to Fort Knox Asbestos Exposure

Any U.S. Army veteran exposed to asbestos at Fort Knox could later be diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness.

There’s a long latency period of 10-50 years between exposure and the development of symptoms. As a result, those who served at Fort Knox decades ago may still be at risk.

Notable asbestos-related illnesses include:

• Mesothelioma: Only asbestos causes mesothelioma, and U.S. veterans account for 1 in 3 diagnoses each year due to widespread military exposure.
• Lung cancer: U.S. veterans run a greater risk of lung cancer if they breathed in asbestos fibers. The danger increases Army veterans who were smokers, as the damage to the lungs worsens.
• Asbestosis: This isn’t cancer, but a serious illness where the lungs get stiff and scarred over time. It can lead to fatal breathing complications as the lungs shut down.

Army veterans who have gotten sick with an asbestos-related disease shouldn’t blame themselves. You had no way of knowing that asbestos was harmful. Private manufacturers of asbestos-containing products should’ve disclosed the risks, but instead focused on making money.

VA Benefits for Veterans Harmed by Fort Knox Asbestos

U.S. Army veterans facing mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses after serving at Fort Knox could be eligible for many different VA benefits.

Mesothelioma VA benefits help veterans and loved ones get the care and financial restitution they deserve following a diagnosis. The VA typically rates mesothelioma as a 100% disability, so veterans have low copays and high financial payouts.

Available VA benefits for asbestos victims may include:

• Disability compensation: This benefit typically pays out $4,158.17 a month to veterans with mesothelioma.
• Health care: Specialized doctors and cancer centers treat mesothelioma veterans through the VA health care system.
• Aid & Attendance (A&A): These are additional payouts for veterans who need help with everyday living.
• Housebound benefits: This is compensation for veterans who can’t leave home due to a disability.
• Survivor benefits: These are supportive options for family members of veterans who died.

The Mesothelioma Veterans Center stands ready to help you file for benefits or increase your disability to 100%. Major Nelson, our VA-accredited attorney, is ready to help you for free. Get started now.

Fort Knox Asbestos Compensation

Besides your VA benefits, you may qualify for additional asbestos compensation and resources following a mesothelioma diagnosis. In fact, significant financial payouts are available through legal action.

Filing a legal claim will not impact your mesothelioma VA benefits and does not involve suing the military or government. Rather, experienced attorneys will pursue fair payouts from companies that hid the health risks of asbestos from you and countless others.

Mesothelioma legal compensation is available from:

• Mesothelioma lawsuits: The average payout is around $1 million, and you may start to get compensated within 90 days through mesothelioma settlements.
• Asbestos trust funds: Claims with trust funds do not involve suing anyone, and there is over $30 billion available right now.
• Wrongful death lawsuits: If a veteran you loved passed away from mesothelioma, you may be eligible for this type of legal claim, which is worth over $1 million.

The Mesothelioma Veterans Center’s legal partners are Simmons Hanly Conroy and Sokolove Law. These dedicated law firms have VA-accredited lawyers and fellow U.S. veterans on staff, ready to help you seek compensation with less stress.

Ready to Help Army Veterans Harmed by Fort Knox Asbestos Exposure

Far too many U.S. Army veterans have gone on to develop serious asbestos-related cancers like mesothelioma 10-50 years after serving at Fort Knox. Mesothelioma can devastate veterans trying to enjoy a much-deserved retirement.

The Mesothelioma Veterans Center is ready to support U.S. veterans and their families facing uncertainty and stress following a mesothelioma diagnosis.

Major Nelson and our staff can assist with:

• Filing or maximizing VA benefits
• Exploring your treatment options
• Pursuing mesothelioma compensation
• Reviewing more support options

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  “I am here to help veterans make sure that they can access all the benefits that they're entitled to, and to make sure that their family's taken care of if they pass away.

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

Call (877) 450-8973 or get a Free Veterans Packet now to learn how our team can assist you or someone you love facing a mesothelioma diagnosis.