Naval Engineering Officers and Asbestos Exposure

Since the mid-1700s, naval shipyards have been essential to the U.S. Navy to ensure effective and timely fleet readiness maintenance. Until asbestos regulations in the 1980s, most of the work done on naval vessels involved the use of asbestos, exposing millions of workers and naval personnel to the risk of developing asbestos-related diseases.

Even though asbestos exposure in the Navy occurs mainly on ships and in shipyards, sailors in land-based occupations were no exception. Additionally, although asbestos use was generally eliminated, it wasn't strictly prohibited. Ships built until 1980 and even after 1985 may still contain asbestos.

Given that Navy veterans experienced the most extensive asbestos exposure during military service, they face a heightened risk of developing illnesses stemming from their exposure. Asbestos-related conditions are painful diseases that shorten life expectancy and generally develop 20, 30, 40, or more years after the initial exposure. Consequently, Navy veterans who served during the Second World War, Korea, Vietnam, and the Gulf War are still being diagnosed with such diseases even today, including engineering officers.

Inhaling or ingesting asbestos dust causes tissue irritation of organs, permanent scarring, and, eventually, cell mutations, which can progress into tumors over time. Although not all tumors will make malignant progression, they have the potential to develop into asbestos-related cancers such as:

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

Former personnel of the Navy diagnosed with the cancers specified above can file expedited claims and qualify for compensation if they have proof of asbestos exposure and their medical documents state one of these malignant illnesses.

High Risk of Asbestos Exposure While on a Navy Ship

Many medical studies among shipyard workers show the dangers of inhaling or ingesting asbestos dust. Still, few have examined the occurrence of asbestos diseases and death among exposed sailors serving on ships at sea.

However, those focused on this matter revealed that sailors' permissible exposure limits based on an 8-hour workday were highly inadequate to protect their health. Moreover, Navy veterans worked and lived at their worksite, and life on ships built before the 1980s hid a high risk of exposure to shipboard asbestos.

Naval engineering officers oversaw the engine rooms as part of one of the Navy's most hidden but critical jobs: making the steam that propelled most of the naval fleet through the seas. They often worked in an area that allowed them very little time to get topside on a ship. This heightened the chances of asbestos exposure, as the tight and ill-ventilated places below the ship's deck were the most hazardous. Engineering officers were responsible for ensuring all aspects of the vessel's engineering plant and associated subjects were in optimum operating order:

• steam propulsion
• boiler units
• diesel propulsion
• fire rooms
• main machinery rooms
• electrical, cooling, and steering systems

In WWII surface warfare, engineering division officers and department heads also qualified for command at sea as first Surface Warfare Officers and Unrestricted Line Officers.

An Exact Diagnosis May Add Years to Life in an Asbestos Disease

Due to the decades-long latency period of conditions stemming from asbestos exposure, their timely discovery and correct diagnosis have become a difficult task for most medical specialists. Because of this long developing period, veterans are often diagnosed when their disease is in advanced stages, considerably reducing their chances of receiving adequate medical attention and timely care. It's the reason why former naval personnel should attend periodic check-ups and undergo chest X-rays or CT scans along with pulmonary function tests immediately when experiencing symptoms such as:

• shortness of breath
• chest pain
• chest tightness
• wheezing
• dizziness
• fatigue
• unintentional weight loss
• persistent dry cough
• pain with inspiration

Asbestos diseases are complex and often have symptoms similar to common health conditions. so misdiagnosis happens frequently. Because most doctors are likely to misinterpret the signs, you should request advice from a pulmonary specialist qualified to treat lung diseases caused by routine asbestos exposure. It can greatly help an accurate health evaluation and a precise diagnosis. You also can ensure a more correct assessment by seeking a second or a third doctor's opinion outside the VA. Making known to your doctor the military service and possible asbestos exposure on the ships also speeds up the diagnostic process and can 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

Although these conditions don't qualify veterans for compensation, they should be observed as they tend to become cancerous. Regular visits to the doctor help uncover malignant diseases in incipient phases, and a cancer diagnosis will make you eligible for claims.

Assisting Veterans to Seek Financial Compensation

Former personnel of the Navy, Army Transport Service, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Merchant Marine diagnosed with asbestos cancer can apply for compensation to cover their expenditures, including medical treatments and lost income. However, claims have a statute of limitations, so being up-to-date spares you from filing after the deadline has expired.

To avoid being unable to pursue compensation, you should contact a lawyer as soon as possible after you receive the diagnosis to ensure your claims are filed on time. We can help you contact experienced asbestos attorneys who are ready to use their expertise to service your case.