Commissioning Crews and Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos was the military's material of choice when the WW2 wartime effort needed large quantities of fair-priced materials. In shipbuilding, the fibrous mineral was essential in insulating against heat, water, and corrosion. This is why, in Navy ships built before the 1980s, asbestos was used in everything from mess halls to boiler rooms.

Moreover, it was common practice to line the entire hull with asbestos, and additionally, the Navy used more than 300 products containing the toxic mineral on ships built for the war effort. With this toxic material on the ships from bow to stern, all ship's personnel were at a high risk of asbestos exposure, and some military occupations required veterans to work closely with asbestos-containing materials.

When asbestos toxicity became widespread, the armed forces began investing in massive asbestos abatement efforts, successfully removing most of the material by the late 1990s. By that time, however, thousands of veterans developed diseases stemming from asbestos exposure. Because asbestos diseases have a latency period of 10-50 years, veterans who were exposed to asbestos decades ago remain at risk of developing severe illnesses linked to their service, among them asbestos cancers such as:

• pharyngeal cancer
• colorectal cancer
• mesothelioma
• laryngeal cancer
• esophageal cancer
• urogenital cancer
• bronchial cancer
• lung cancer
• gastrointestinal cancer

Those diagnosed with one of the malignancies listed above meet the requirements for expedited claims and are eligible for compensation if they have proof of asbestos exposure and their medical papers show one of these diseases.

Risking Asbestos Exposure During the Ship's Commissions

The life of a Navy ship begins with its launching and commissioning ceremonies, both open to the public, except during WWII, when the Navy yards were closed to the public for security reasons.

As shipbuilding picked up during WWII, some ships were launched in pairs and had their launches and commissioning ceremonies combined. However, ships didn't have to be new to get a commissioning ceremony - overhauled vessels also had their re-commissioning ceremony. As shipyards were abundant with asbestos, exposure to airborne toxic fibers was a risk for naval personnel and shipyard employees working on:

• commissioning
• re-commissioning
• decommissioning

Working on shipboard tasks was an added exposure risk for the members of the commissioning crews due to poor ventilation below the deck, where asbestos dust could linger in the air for hours. After the launch, shipyards still had months to complete the vessel's construction, depending on the ship's size and complexity. Only after the ship's crew tested the boat on a shakedown cruise was it ready for commissioning. The commissioning crew was responsible for bringing the vessel to life as a U.S. Navy warship and was tasked with maneuvers such as:

• sea trials
• missile launching tests
• basic flight tests on carriers
• electronic and propulsion equipment tests

Commissioning a ship has been a Navy tradition since 1775. It's a formal ceremony in which the ship's captain and crew, in full dress uniforms, stand on board the vessel. After this, the commissioned vessel is on active duty, and the ship and its crew have a military assignment. It's also a tradition to pronounce as plank owners selected crew members present at a ship's commissions.

Veterans Can Prolong Their Lives by Seeking Medical Assistance Immediately

Because they have decades-long latency periods, diseases linked to asbestos exposure are often diagnosed only in advanced stages, considerably reducing the chances of adequate help and timely care. It is why former Navy personnel should undergo regular check-ups and chest X-rays or CT scans together with pulmonary function tests immediately when experiencing:

• shortness of breath
• pain in the chest or shoulder
• persistent dry cough
• general weakness
• night sweats
• fatigue
• unintentional weight loss
• respiratory system complications

The complexity of asbestos illnesses often leads to easy misdiagnosis, as most doctors misinterpret the symptoms. Veterans can ensure an accurate health evaluation and a correct diagnosis by consulting with a pulmonary specialist qualified to treat lung diseases caused by prolonged asbestos exposure. Moreover, requesting a second or a third doctor's opinion outside the VA is strongly advisable, as asbestos conditions tend to generate symptoms resembling common diseases. Speaking to your doctor about military service and possible asbestos exposure is an essential step that not only helps the diagnostic process but could reveal non-cancerous asbestos diseases such as:

• pulmonary fibrosis
• asbestosis
• recurrent pneumonia
• emphysema
• rounded atelectasis
• chronic bronchitis
• pleural effusion
• pleural plaques
• pleural thickening
• COPD
• lung nodules and spots
• asthma

Even if these diseases don't qualify veterans for compensation, they should be kept under observation because they can potentially develop into cancer. Regular medical examinations can catch them in incipient phases, and a cancer diagnosis will make former service members eligible for claims.

Helping Navy Veterans in Receiving the Rightful Compensation

Before the 1980s, asbestos potentially endangered the health of every person onboard naval vessels. After the Navy mandated the use of asbestos in shipbuilding, thousands of ships were built with asbestos products. U.S. Navy veterans who served between World War II and the late 1970s should urgently see their doctor when experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above.

Former service members of the Navy, Merchant Marine, U.S. Army Transport Service, or Coast Guard diagnosed with asbestos cancer may be eligible for disability compensation if they have proof of asbestos exposure. We can help by connecting you with expert asbestos attorneys who are ready to handle your case.