Naval Fire Controlmen and Asbestos Exposure

Military asbestos use was prevalent during World War II, as protecting equipment and assets became a priority. Asbestos was a choice material due to its ability to contain heat and prevent fires, and it was a very affordable option. Consequently, the military's consumption of asbestos reached such an extent that civilian use was prohibited to conserve the material for the war effort.

The use of this toxic substance reached an all-time high with a plethora of asbestos-containing products manufactured for shipbuilding. Over 300 items made with this fibrous mineral were used in naval vessels built for the war effort, providing a contaminated working and living environment. Such an abundant asbestos presence in military property made exposure a high risk for all personnel who served between 1930 and 1980, especially former service members of the Navy, including fire controlmen or fire control technicians (FT).

It wasn't until the 1980s that the Navy became aware of the health risks asbestos represented and immediately began to take action. Although it was a step in the right direction, it couldn't help the many veterans who were already exposed to asbestos dust and developed life-altering diseases decades after their service. At the time, it was incorrectly believed that only long asbestos fibers were dangerous and that asbestos dust was inert. Nowadays, it is widely known that inhaling or ingesting even the smallest quantity of asbestos dust can lead to asbestos-related health problems. Airborne asbestos fibers can easily enter our system due to their microscopic size, and our bodies lack the defense mechanism to eliminate them. They attach to the lining of the lungs, causing continuous irritation, chronic inflammation, and permanent tissue scarring with the potential of cell modifications that may evolve into tumors and further progress into asbestos-related cancers such as:

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

Former military personnel diagnosed with these cancers become eligible for expedited claims and immediately qualify for compensation if they can provide proof of asbestos exposure and their medical documents show one of these malignant diseases.

Fulfilling Duty on Navy Ships Came With the Risk of Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos is a health risk when wear and tear destroys its structure, and the mineral crumbles, becoming friable. When disturbed, friable asbestos releases sharp-edged fibers into the air, resulting in fine dust that can float in the air for hours. Disturbing asbestos was a routine occurrence on naval vessels, as tasks like maintenance and repair were ongoing to keep them in fighting shape.

With nearly every component on Navy ships containing asbestos, there was virtually nowhere personnel could go to avoid the toxic mineral. Moreover, specific jobs brought about a higher risk of asbestos exposure. For fire controlmen, working hours meant being under the deck, in the plotting rooms below the waterline, and inside the armor belt. The poorly ventilated spaces under the deck increased their chances of inhaling or ingesting airborne asbestos fibers while carrying out tasks such as:

• operating and maintaining weapons direction systems
• communicating with the turrets and the ship's command
• watching the rangekeeper's dials
• observing gun system status indicators for problems
• correcting arising fire range problems
• reconfiguring the system to mitigate its effect

FTs were highly skilled technicians responsible for operating various range-finding gear and solving ballistics calculations to control the firing of the ship's guns. Before a surface action started, the FT's duty was to make manual inputs for the average initial velocity of the projectiles fired out of the battery's gun barrels and values of air density. Once all this information was given, the rangekeeper calculated the relative motion between its ship and the target. Gun fire control technicians also tracked the actual position of the target in:

• bearing
• elevation
• range

The FT ranking was established and split from the gunner's mate rating in 1941. FTs were employed initially for naval gunfire support and surface combat, but their responsibilities expanded into anti-aircraft warfare during World War II.

Timely Detection of Asbestos Diseases Can Prolong Life Expectancy

Illnesses stemming from asbestos exposure are frequently misdiagnosed due to their complexity. Most doctors can easily misread the symptoms and reach false conclusions, unintentionally delaying the appropriate treatment when time is of the essence. Diagnosing asbestos-related lung conditions is challenging, as these affections can be very similar to common chronic lung diseases. Only a pulmonologist with experience in treating patients with lung diseases caused by asbestos exposure can assess these conditions accurately and recognize the stage. Aside from the classical physical exam of listening for abnormal sounds with the stethoscope, the diagnostic process may also include tests such as:

• imaging tests (chest X-ray or a CT scan)
• blood tests
• pulmonary function tests
• biopsy
• oxygen desaturation tests

To ensure that they receive an exact diagnosis and adequate treatment begins as soon as possible, veterans should request a second or even a third doctor's opinion outside the VA. Former service members can significantly help the doctor to reach a correct diagnosis by being open about their military time and potential asbestos exposure during service on the ships. By sharing these essential details, they could help the discovery of non-cancerous 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 illnesses don't qualify veterans for compensation, they should be closely observed, as they tend to develop into cancer. When diagnosed with a cancer linked to their exposure, former service members will qualify for compensation.

Assisting Navy Veterans to File for the Deserved Indemnification

The Navy mandated asbestos on its vessels to prepare them for battle and maximize personnel safety. Consequently, Navy ships built before the 1980s were covered with asbestos from bow to stern. It is why all veterans who served onboard these vessels were at an increased risk for asbestos-related health issues. Former naval personnel diagnosed with cancer due to military asbestos exposure may seek compensation through the asbestos trust funds and the VA if they have proof of their exposure.

Many veterans may have yet to discover that they worked in an asbestos-contaminated environment during their duty, and asbestos exposure may be the cause of their disease. Should you decide to take legal action and file claims to receive financial compensation, we can help by connecting you with the best legal specialist for your case.