If you served in the U.S. Marine Corps before the early 1980s, you could have been exposed to asbestos. This can cause mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other serious illnesses later in life. We’re here to help Marines like you get military benefits, treatments, and compensation.
Marine Veterans and Mesothelioma Risks
You and many other Marine veterans you served with could develop mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure during your service. Asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma, and you could have been exposed through Marine Corps bases, ships, and vehicles.
You and your fellow Marines didn’t know that asbestos could cause cancer as private companies hid the risks for much of the 20th century.
We’re here to help if you or someone you love is a veteran with mesothelioma. We have partnered with retired Marine Corps Major Jonathan Nelson, who can help you get VA disability benefits or increase your disability rating to 100%.
You can access top mesothelioma doctors, treatments, and compensation by working with our team. Get our Free Veterans Packet to see all the ways we can assist you.
How Were Marines Exposed to Asbestos?
The U.S. Marine Corps relied on many asbestos-containing products from the 1930s to the early 1980s, most notably on bases and ships. Asbestos helped keep military assets fireproof and durable.
However, if you worked with or around asbestos materials during your service, you could have breathed in toxic fibers. This could cause you to develop mesothelioma or lung cancer later in life. Learn how you could have been exposed during your time in the Marines below.
Marine Bases and Mesothelioma Risks
Dozens of U.S. Marine bases and barracks around the world had asbestos before the health risks were fully understood. Building materials like cement, insulation, joint compound, and more all contained asbestos.
Marines at the highest risk on base were construction workers who handled asbestos-containing materials every day while building and renovating structures.
Marine bases built with asbestos include:
- Camp Garcia Vieques, Puerto Rico
- Camp H. M. Smith, Marine Corps Base Hawaii
- Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba
- Henderson Hall, Arlington VA
- Marine Barracks, Washington D.C.
- Marine Corps Air Base, Santa Ana, CA
- Marine Corps Air Facility Santa Ana, CA
- Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, CA
- Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, Havelock, NC
- Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro, CA
- Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan
- Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, San Diego, CA
- Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Yuma, AZ
- Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Okinawa, Japan
- Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Jacksonville, NC
- Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, CA
- Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley Butler, Okinawa, Japan
- Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Honolulu, HI
- Marine Corps Base Quantico, Quantico, VA
- Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany, Albany, GA
- Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, Port Royal, SC
- Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, San Diego, CA
- Marine Corps Rifle Range Camp Matthews, San Diego, CA
- Marine Reserve Center, Portland, ME
- Mountain Warfare Training Center, Mono County, CA
“Many military bases that were built from the 1930s to the 1980s contained asbestos in insulation, fireproofing, soundproofing. Service members who were involved in the construction of those buildings, and sometimes even just living in them, could have been exposed.”
— Retired Marine Corps Major Jonathan Nelson, VA-accredited attorney
Many other U.S. Marine bases contained asbestos, and you may have been exposed even if your base isn’t shown above.
U.S. Navy Ships and Mesothelioma Marine Dangers
U.S. Marine Corps veterans who served aboard U.S. Navy ships have a higher risk of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses. Virtually every Navy ship was built with asbestos-containing products before the risks were known.
Marines risked asbestos exposure on Navy vessels from:
- Boilers
- Bulkheads
- Cables
- Ceiling tiles
- Deck flooring
- Engines
- Gaskets
- Insulation
- Pipes
- Valves
The risk was particularly high for Marines serving as boiler tenders or engine room workers, as these areas were cramped and had extremely poor ventilation.
Shipyards & Mesothelioma Marine Risks
Marine Corps personnel working in shipyards were at high risk of asbestos exposure. Shipyard workers handled asbestos materials every day. During World War II, military shipyards were so clouded with asbestos dust that workers couldn’t see to the other ends of rooms, according to The New York Times.
Since asbestos exposure occurred frequently among Marine veterans, mesothelioma is common today. Get our Free Veterans Packet for help accessing VA benefits, treatments, and compensation.
Vehicles and Planes
Many vehicles and planes used by the U.S. Marine Corps relied on asbestos-containing materials. Asbestos helped these products resist heat and friction but released cancer-causing asbestos fibers into the air.
Marines risked exposure to asbestos from:
- Brake pads
- Clutches
- Engine heat shields
- Gaskets
- Insulation
- Seals
- Wiring
Marine mechanics ran the greatest risk of exposure since they installed, repaired, and replaced asbestos-containing materials on vehicles and planes every day.
Video Summary: U.S. Marine Corps veterans are at risk of mesothelioma due to service-related asbestos exposure, but VA benefits and other resources are available to help. View Transcript
Those who served in the United States Marine Corps from the 1930s to the early 1980s may have been exposed to asbestos. Asbestos is a fiber-like mineral known to cause mesothelioma and other cancers.
Asbestos was widely used in Marine Corps ships, vehicles, and bases to make these assets durable, insulated, and heat resistant. Unfortunately, inhaling stray asbestos fibers can lead to mesothelioma later in life.
Mesothelioma is a particularly aggressive form of cancer that can affect the lining of the lungs, heart, testicles, or abdomen. It can take 10-50 years for symptoms of mesothelioma to appear, and unfortunately, there is no cure.
Thankfully, If you're a Marine Corps veteran who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of your military service, there are ways to get help.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers many benefits to veterans with mesothelioma, like medical treatments, monthly compensation, financial assistance for loved ones, and much more.
You served your country honorably, and the VA is here to support you in return.
Marine Corps veterans may also qualify for private compensation from a mesothelioma claim. Filing a claim won’t affect your ability to get VA benefits, and you won’t be taking legal action against the military.
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and served in the U.S. Marine Corps, reach out to the Mesothelioma Veterans Center today. We are dedicated to helping you get VA benefits, life-changing treatment, and financial aid.
Secondary Asbestos Exposure and the Marine Corps
If a Marine’s family members lived on a base where asbestos materials were used, they risked secondhand exposure. Marines could come home covered in asbestos dust, exposing loved ones and putting them in danger of mesothelioma.
U.S. Marines also risked exposure after they served, as many civilian jobs relied on asbestos-containing materials. Repeated exposure increases the risk of mesothelioma over time.
VA Benefits and Compensation for Marine Corps Veterans
If you’ve developed mesothelioma after serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, you may qualify for many VA benefits to make the journey ahead easier. These include monthly disability payouts, medical care from top VA doctors, and much more.
Notable mesothelioma Marines VA benefits include:
- Disability compensation: The VA awards a 100% disability rating to veterans with mesothelioma, meaning they can get $4,044.91 a month if married.
- Health care: U.S. Marines with mesothelioma can access free or low-cost mesothelioma treatment if they have VA health care.
- Survivor benefits: Family members can seek compensation, burial reimbursement, health care, and other resources.
Get free help accessing mesothelioma VA benefits from Jonathan Nelson, a retired Marine Corps Major and VA-accredited attorney.
Marines Mesothelioma Compensation Options
In addition to VA benefits, Marine veterans can pursue mesothelioma compensation through the legal system.
Work with our partner mesothelioma law firm, Simmons Hanly Conroy, to explore your legal options. The firm was founded by U.S. veterans and has Marine Corps veterans on staff. Simmons Hanly Conroy won’t sue the military or government, but rather the companies that made asbestos products.
Legal compensation options for Marines include:
- Marines mesothelioma lawsuits: The average asbestos lawsuit awards $1 million or more. You can still get VA benefits if you file a lawsuit.
- Asbestos trust funds: These trusts contain over $30 billion today. Trust fund claims allow you to get money without filing a lawsuit, and you’ll typically start to get paid within 90 days.
- Wrongful death lawsuits: If you lost a Marine Corps veteran you loved to mesothelioma, you can file a mesothelioma wrongful death claim. These typically pay out over $1 million.
Simmons Hanly Conroy can file lawsuits and trust fund claims on your behalf and will do all the work for you, allowing you to get the compensation you deserve as quickly as possible and with less stress.
“I remember a case we handled for one U.S. Marine Corps veteran who sadly passed away from mesothelioma. While we served at different times, we had that brotherhood of service in common. We continued fighting for his family, securing compensation for the profound loss they endured.”
— Michael Stewart, Simmons Hanly Conroy lawyer and U.S. Marine Corps veteran
Mesothelioma Marine Corps Payouts
Our legal partners at Simmons Hanly Conroy have secured $10.3 billion for mesothelioma patients, including many U.S. Marine Corps veterans.
Many Marines and their families have recovered over $1 million with the firm’s help, with the first payments often coming in within 90 days.
Notable mesothelioma payouts for Marine Corps veterans include:
You can use the compensation secured for anything you see fit, including medical bills, mortgages, and travel expenses.
Get a free case review now now to learn how much you or a U.S. Marine veteran you love could potentially secure after a mesothelioma diagnosis.
We Can Help Marines With Mesothelioma
U.S. Marine Corps veterans like you should’ve never been put at risk of asbestos exposure and mesothelioma, but private corporations only thought of the profits.
At the Mesothelioma Veterans Center, we're here to help U.S. Marine veterans and their families access the resources they need after a diagnosis.
Work with us to:
- File for or increase mesothelioma Marine VA benefits
- Find top doctors and cancer treatments
- Seek legal payouts from lawsuits and trust funds
- Get the support you and your family deserve.
Get a Free Veterans Packet or call (877) 450-8973 to see all the ways we can help you or a loved one with mesothelioma.
Marine Veterans and Mesothelioma FAQs
Why do Marines get mesothelioma?
U.S. Marine Corps veterans are at a high risk of mesothelioma since they may have been exposed to asbestos on a regular basis while serving.
Asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma. All branches of the military used asbestos-containing materials up until the early 1980s. Marines risked exposure from bases, vehicles, planes, and Navy ships.
What is the VA rating for mesothelioma?
The VA rates almost all cases of service-connected mesothelioma as a 100% disability. This means veterans of the U.S. Marines and other military branches can get the highest disability payouts and lowest health care premiums.
Jonathan Nelson, a retired Marine Corps Major and VA-accredited attorney, can help you file for VA benefits or increase your rating to 100% for free. Get started now.
Are Marines exposed to asbestos?
Yes, many U.S. Marines were exposed to asbestos-containing materials during their service.
Dozens of military bases relied on asbestos products. Marines were also at risk if they were stationed on Navy ships, all of which contained asbestos before the early 1980s.
Marines who worked as mechanics risked exposure to car components like brake pads and insulation that contained asbestos. Many cases of mesothelioma in Marines are linked back to service-related exposure.
How did Steve McQueen get mesothelioma?
Actor and U.S. Marine Corps veteran Steve McQueen developed mesothelioma during his time as a shipyard worker.
“We believe Steve was first exposed to cancer in the late ‘40s while working at the Washington D.C. Naval Yard, removing asbestos-filled insulation from the hold of a ship,” says his widow, Barbara Minty McQueen.
Diagnosed in 1979 with pleural mesothelioma, Steve died a year later at the age of 50 — but his legacy of the “King of Cool,” and his proud Marine Corps service, endures to this day.
Is asbestos still used by the U.S. Marine Corps?
The U.S. Marine Corps doesn’t use asbestos in any new buildings, ships, or other assets. However, older U.S. military structures may still contain asbestos even today.
Though steps were taken to remove most of the asbestos found on older military bases and ships, it was simply impossible to remove it all.
Can Marine veterans get compensation for asbestos?
Yes, U.S. Marine veterans may be able to get compensation for asbestos exposure if they’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease.
The VA offers $4,044.91 in monthly compensation for married veterans with mesothelioma.
Eligible Marines can also seek money from asbestos trust fund claims and lawsuits, which award $1 million or more on average. Taking legal action won’t affect a veteran's ability to receive VA benefits.
Do merchant marines get mesothelioma?
Yes, those who served in the U.S. merchant marines could develop mesothelioma. This is because many merchant marine ships relied on asbestos-containing products.
Those serving in the Merchant Marines often risked exposure on a daily basis aboard ships when working with materials like boilers, insulation, and pipes. As a result, rates of mesothelioma in merchant mariners are high.
How do you prove asbestos exposure in the military?
You may not fully remember how, when, or where you were exposed to asbestos in the U.S. Marine Corps. However, our team can determine this for you by reviewing your military service, work history, and more.
This information can be used to prove why you deserve mesothelioma VA benefits and legal compensation. Call (877) 450-8973 for help proving your military asbestos exposure and getting the financial support you deserve.
