Residents of the state of South Dakota are fortunate; only 31 cases of mesothelioma were diagnosed in the state between 1979 and 1999, while there are an estimated 3,700 mesothelioma lawsuits filed nationally each year. That’s why legal experts are paying close attention to a federal lawsuit that was recently filed by a noted South
The USS Walke (DD-723) was an Allen M. Sumner-class destroyer that operated across multiple theaters, including World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, fulfilling vital missions. At the same time that the Walke’s crew was serving onboard the ship, they were being exposed to extensive amounts of asbestos. The toxic material, which was commonly used in shipbuilding in
In the years surrounding World War II and for decades after, asbestos was considered an essential component for U.S. Navy ship construction, only to be recognized later as carcinogenic. The USS Vogelgesang (DD-862) was one of the ships built at that time, and a significant part of her infrastructure, equipment, and materials contained the deadly mineral. The extensive use
The USS Vesole (DD-878) was a Gearing-class destroyer that served the United States Navy with distinction from 1945 to 1976. Like virtually all naval vessels constructed during the mid-20th century, the ship contained extensive amounts of asbestos throughout her structure, and thousands of sailors who sailed and served on her during her decades of active service were exposed to
The USS Thorn was a destroyer that served the United States Navy from 1980 to 2004. As the twenty-sixth ship of the Spruance Class destroyer program, she was built during the time that, despite growing awareness of its dangers, asbestos remained a standard component of naval shipbuilding. Throughout her career, the ship’s crew and any maintenance personnel
The USS Steinaker (DD-863) was a Gearing-class destroyer that served the U.S. Navy for nearly four decades. The USS Steinaker received several awards for the important roles it played in Cold War operations and the Vietnam War, but the vessel has also been linked to serious health conditions in many of the veterans who were exposed to asbestos while serving
The USS Shields (DD-596) was a Fletcher-class destroyer that served with distinction during World War II, the Korean War, and throughout the Cold War period. The vessel participated in combat operations, peacekeeping missions, and training exercises across the Pacific. Like all warships constructed during this era, the USS Shields contained extensive asbestos materials integrated into its construction and systems,
The USS Robert L. Wilson (DD/DDE-847) was among the 98 ships of the Gearing-class destroyers built for the U.S. Navy during the 1940s. While praised for the speed and exceptional handling that made her indispensable to the military, the vessel’s advantages and accomplishments have been offset by the significant asbestos exposure endured by her crew members. The
The USS Peterson (DD-969) served as the seventh destroyer of the Spruance-class that significantly advanced America’s naval warfare capabilities. Over 25 years of service, the ship participated in Cold War surveillance operations, Middle East conflicts, NATO exercises, and counter-terrorism missions following 9/11. Despite her modern design, the Peterson’s construction and subsequent modifications still incorporated the
The USS Spruance (DD-963) served as the lead ship of a brand new class of warship, with all the destroyers that came after her using the same design referred to as a Spruance-class destroyer. During her thirty-year career from 1975 to 2005, the state-of-the-art vessel participated in Cold War operations, the Persian Gulf conflicts, counter-narcotics missions, and