🪖 Marine Corps Bases & Shipyards

Overlooked Exposure Zones

Thousands of U.S. Marine Corps veterans were exposed to asbestos at bases, shipyards, and training facilities where insulation, brake linings, and construction materials contained asbestos fibers. Marines serving alongside Navy personnel often worked in contaminated repair areas, ship holds, or base housing — unaware of the long-term danger.

This guide reveals where and how asbestos exposure occurred across Marine Corps facilities, which jobs were at highest risk, and how veterans can recover full compensation.

📞 Need help proving Marine asbestos exposure? Call 800.291.0963 for free claim assistance today.

🧭 Step 1: Understanding Marine Corps Asbestos Exposure

Although Marines are not shipbuilders, many were exposed while working in maintenance, repair, and logistics operations connected to Navy shipyards and bases.

Exposure sources included:

• ⚙️ Amphibious assault vehicles (AAVs) with asbestos gaskets and panels.

• 🧱 Base housing, classrooms, and barracks built before 1980.

• 🧰 Mechanics and welders repairing Navy vessels.

• 🚢 Shipyard duty at facilities like Norfolk, Charleston, and Long Beach.

Goal: Recognize that Marines faced both direct and secondary asbestos exposure across service environments.

📁 Step 2: High-Risk Marine Corps Occupations

Certain Marine jobs had especially heavy exposure risk due to proximity to asbestos materials.

High-risk roles:

• 🧱 Combat Engineers and Construction Specialists.

• ⚙️ Mechanics repairing vehicles or amphibious tanks.

• 🪖 Aviation Ground Support Crews.

• 🔥 Firefighters and Damage Control Personnel.

• 🧰 Electricians and Pipefitters on joint-service bases.

Goal: Identify your MOS to establish presumptive asbestos exposure for VA claims.

🏗️ Step 3: Shipyard and Base Exposure Locations

Marine units often trained or worked in areas surrounded by asbestos-containing infrastructure.

Common exposure zones:

• ⚓ Norfolk Naval Shipyard (VA) — ship repair collaboration with Navy units.

• 🧱 Camp Lejeune (NC) — contaminated base housing and maintenance buildings.

• ⚙️ Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard (HI) — joint Marine-Navy repair operations.

• 🚢 Charleston and Long Beach Shipyards — amphibious and dockyard maintenance.

Goal: Use service records to connect your assignment to a known asbestos site.

🩺 Step 4: Health Risks for Exposed Marines

Even short-term exposure can cause asbestos fibers to embed in the lungs or abdomen, leading to severe diseases decades later.

Potential conditions:

• 💀 Malignant pleural mesothelioma.

• 🫁 Lung cancer.

• 💬 Pleural thickening and fibrosis.

• 🩺 Chronic respiratory failure.

Goal: Seek immediate medical evaluation if you develop persistent cough, chest pain, or shortness of breath.

⚖️ Step 5: How to Prove Marine Corps Asbestos Exposure

Strong documentation links your service duties to asbestos-containing environments.

Helpful evidence includes:

• 🧾 DD-214 and MOS records.

• ⚙️ Base maintenance and construction reports.

• 🧱 Barracks or housing blueprints showing asbestos use.

• 💬 Statements from unit members or maintenance crews.

Goal: Collect official and witness evidence for your VA or trust-fund claim.

💼 Step 6: VA Benefits and Compensation for Marines

The VA recognizes asbestos-related diseases as service-connected when credible exposure evidence exists.

Available benefits:

• 💰 100% disability compensation for mesothelioma.

• 🏥 Access to VA mesothelioma treatment centers.

• 🕊️ Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) for survivors.

• ⚖️ Additional compensation from private asbestos trust funds.

Goal: File a VA claim immediately upon diagnosis to preserve all benefits.

🧱 Step 7: How Shipyards Increased Marine Risk

Many Marines performed duties at or near naval shipyards, where asbestos dust was widespread.

Exposure scenarios:

• ⚓ Working inside ship engine rooms or boiler areas.

• ⚙️ Handling equipment wrapped in asbestos insulation.

• 🧾 Participating in ship refitting or amphibious landing craft maintenance.

• 💬 Cleaning contaminated tools or uniforms without protection.

Goal: Document your proximity to high-risk repair environments for compensation claims.

🧠 Step 8: Civil and Trust-Fund Legal Rights

Federal law allows Marines to pursue additional recovery from asbestos manufacturers.

You may qualify for:

• 💵 Asbestos trust-fund claims (over $32 billion available).

• ⚖️ Civil lawsuits against negligent suppliers.

• 🧾 Concurrent VA benefits with no offset reduction.

Goal: Maximize financial recovery by combining VA and private-sector claims.

🌈 Step 9: Survivor Benefits for Marine Families

If a Marine passes away from mesothelioma, surviving spouses and dependents can receive:

• 🕊️ DIC benefits from the VA.

• 💰 Trust-fund or civil settlements.

• 🧾 Funeral cost reimbursement and memorial honors.

Goal: Ensure families access lifetime survivor compensation and recognition.

🤝 Step 10: Getting Professional Assistance

Accredited Veterans Service Officers (VSOs) and attorneys can help Marines collect base records, environmental reports, and trust-fund documentation.

Next steps:

• 🧭 Request service records confirming duty at asbestos sites.

• ⚙️ Gather medical and exposure evidence.

• 🧾 File VA, trust-fund, and civil claims simultaneously.

• 📞 Call for a free case review today.

Goal: Protect your rights and ensure full compensation for your service-connected illness.

🤝 Where to Get Help

Our Marine asbestos advocates work directly with veterans and families to gather records, verify exposure, and file claims quickly.

📞 Call 800.291.0963 now for free Marine Corps asbestos claim assistance.

🧭 Summary

From shipyards to base housing, Marine Corps personnel were heavily exposed to asbestos through joint operations with the Navy. Today, affected veterans can recover full compensation through VA disability, trust funds, and civil lawsuits. Early filing preserves evidence, speeds up benefits, and protects family rights.

Act now to get the justice your service deserves.
800.291.0963