Navy Machinery Repairmen and Asbestos Exposure

The U.S. Navy designated the naturally occurring asbestos mineral as the most efficient and cost-effective insulation material in 1922. During World War II, asbestos became critical to the whole U.S. military, especially the Navy and the Air Force. Shipping and shipbuilding were essential, and military aircraft and even incendiary bombs also contained asbestos.

Although asbestos exposure has posed severe health risks to many individuals over the past century, few groups have been as affected as those who served in the Navy, including machinery repairmen (MRs). As the Navy became one of the largest consumers of asbestos, thousands of service members worked in highly contaminated environments on ships built before 1980, routinely risking exposure to asbestos.

Generally, Navy personnel worked in enclosed spaces on naval vessels that lacked proper ventilation, an ideal environment for inhaling asbestos dust. Airborne asbestos fibers are highly hazardous because once inhaled or ingested, the body can't eliminate them. These microscopic particles are sharp-edged and attach to the lining of organs, and, over time, these embedded mineral threads will scar the soft tissue surrounding organs, causing tumors that can turn into asbestos-related cancers, such as:

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

Former Navy personnel diagnosed with malignancies from above qualify for filing claims and may access benefits if there's proof of asbestos exposure and their medical files reflect an asbestos cancer diagnosis.

Increased Risk of Asbestos Exposure Due to Service on a Navy Ship

The most dangerous shipboard spaces in terms of contamination were the tight-fitting, poorly ventilated areas, and shipboard rooms and shops are limited in size by the ship's design.

MRs usually worked indoors in a machine shop environment when assigned to a Navy ship, as well as in shore stations both in the U.S. and overseas. Moreover, when assigned to watch duty, they have likely been in every part of the ship. All things eventually break down, and machinery in U.S. naval vessels is no exception. Maintaining and repairing was the duty of the MRs who handled tasks such as:

• making replacement parts
• repairing engines and auxiliary systems
• manufacturing tools for repairs and maintenance
• etch and engrave metal and other materials

MRs worked with everything from engines and propulsion systems to deck equipment. Their duties to manufacturing replacement parts, overhauling equipment, and ensuring the operation of critical systems involve using:

• machine tools
• hand tools
• precision measuring instruments
• precision measuring instruments
• electroplates and flame sprays

MRs frequently supported other ratings, such as enginemen, by providing manufactured parts or repairing their equipment. They also diagnosed mechanical issues, developed, and implemented repair solutions. MRs were the "go-to" experts, crucial for keeping the Navy's ships operational during WWII and ensuring the fleet remained ready.

The MR rating was created in 1948 by combining the shop machinist and the outside machinist ratings of the machinist's mate rating. While both ratings worked with machinery, machinist's mates (MM) primarily operated and maintained the central propulsion machinery, while MRs specialized in machine shop work and repairs to auxiliary equipment. Another rating working with machinery was the enginemen, responsible for the operation and maintenance of propulsion and auxiliary machinery, and they relied on MRs for machine shop support and specialized repairs.

Misdiagnosis Shortens Veterans' Lives

Any misdiagnosed disease steals precious time from life. Still, when an asbestos-related disease is incorrectly diagnosed, the consequences are more impactful: it delays or prevents timely and effective treatment when veterans' asbestos exposure has already stolen years. Illnesses stemming from inhaling or ingesting asbestos fibers often get misdiagnosed due to sharing similar features with more common respiratory conditions like pneumonia or asthma. On top of this, only a limited number of physicians have direct experience and a deeper understanding of asbestos-related diseases. It is why it's crucial to inform the doctor about your military service when experiencing:

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

The biological mechanisms underlying asbestos-related illnesses are complex and involve a multilevel process of interactions among genetic factors and other potential contaminants. It's the reason many doctors misread symptoms and make incorrect diagnoses. Speaking about possible asbestos exposure is essential to avoid misdiagnosis and begin adequate treatment that stops the disease from progressing. Periodic lung checkups, chest X-rays, and pulmonary function tests are also necessary tools that can reveal asbestos fibers in the lungs, clear evidence of veterans' asbestos exposure. The toxic mineral particles can also cause benign 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 illnesses don't qualify a veteran to receive compensation, they should be observed, as non-cancerous asbestos conditions tend to develop into cancer. To be on the safer side, veterans should request a second or third opinion from a pulmonary specialist outside the VA. It ensures an exact evaluation and diagnosis and could disclose asbestos cancers that make former service members eligible to file claims and help establish the best course of treatment.

We Offer Assistance for Veterans in Filing Toxic Exposure Claims

Veterans who served our country between World War II and the early 1980s and were exposed to asbestos may be entitled to significant VA benefits, compensation from asbestos trust funds, and even new protections under the PACT Act. These programs exist to support you and your family, covering medical care, monthly payments, and more. Even if the PACT Act doesn't expedite your claim, you can make significant progress with the help of a qualified lawyer.

After collecting all necessary documents and crucial information to iron out your case, an attorney specializing in toxic exposure will ensure the proper paperwork is filed on your behalf. They will also make sure that your claims comply with VA regulations. We can help you contact legal experts ready to represent your case.