The USS Robert H. McCard (DD-822) was a Gearing-class destroyer that served the U.S. Navy from the post-World War II era through the Cold War and the Vietnam conflict. Like virtually every other naval vessel constructed during the mid-20th century, the ship contained extensive amounts of asbestos-containing materials, putting service members aboard the vessel and shipyard personnel who serviced, upgraded, and overhauled
For decades, Halliburton has been a leader in the oil and gas industry, but the company’s history dates back to when asbestos-containing materials were incorporated into many of its products and operations. Employee exposure to this toxic substance, as well as exposure to products made by the many subsidiaries the company added over the years, has resulted in
The USS Grampus (SS-523) was a Tench-class submarine that served the United States Navy from 1949 to 1972. Like virtually all naval vessels constructed during the mid-20th century, the submarine contained asbestos throughout her structure, and hundreds of sailors who served aboard her during her decades of active service were exposed to the mineral’s dangerous fibers. Navy veterans who served on
Mesothelioma is just one of several diseases directly linked to asbestos exposure. While most people think that the mineral’s use has been banned, it continues to be used — and to pose significant health risks — to those working in certain industries. The last several years have seen the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) move
The USS Willis A. Lee (DL-4) represented a bold experiment in naval destroyer design. As one of the first four Mitscher-class destroyer leaders, she tested new concepts in anti-submarine warfare and fleet escort duties. Despite the innovations she represented, the Willis A. Lee’s construction and operation continued the Navy’s historic use of asbestos-containing materials in its ships’ construction, and
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