Get A Free Legal Consultation
Focus on your health and loved ones while we focus on your mesothelioma claim.
- We fight to maximize your results
- Many clients get results in as few as 90 days
- No out-of-pocket costs for you or your family
U.S. Air Force Veterans and Mesothelioma
From the 1930s to the late 1970s, asbestos exposure was prevalent at U.S. Air Force bases and aircraft maintenance stations. Exposure came from asbestos-containing materials found in barracks, vehicles and equipment, putting thousands at risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos diseases.
Simmons Hanly Conroy is a veteran-founded law firm. If you or a loved one was diagnosed with mesothelioma after serving in the U.S. Air Force, we may be able to pursue legal compensation on your behalf. Call (800) 326-8900 now to see if you qualify for free.
Risk of Asbestos Exposure for U.S. Air Force Veterans
The U.S. Air Force valued asbestos due to its strength and fire-proofing qualities. They were unaware of the dangers it posed to service members who lived and worked with asbestos products every day.
Since the late 1970s, the U.S. Air Force has gone to great lengths to guard against asbestos exposure.
However, because asbestos-related diseases can take 10-50 years to develop, veterans remain at risk of mesothelioma and other serious illnesses.
Today, veterans make up over 30% of all mesothelioma cases. Call (800) 326-8900 or fill out our contact form today for a free legal consultation.
U.S. Air Force Jobs Affected by Asbestos
Unfortunately, some military occupations may have required veterans to work closely with asbestos due to the nature of their jobs.
U.S. Air Force jobs at high risk of asbestos exposure include:
- Airman
- Airplane crew chief
- Armorer
- Auto mechanic
- Aviation machinist’s mate
- Boiler tender
- Bombardier mechanic
- Carpenter
- Communications specialist
- Electrician
- Electronics technician
- Engineer
- Firefighter
- Fuel specialist
- Gunner
- Heavy equipment operator
- HVAC specialist
- Instructor
- Instrument shop workers
- Jet engine inspector
- Jet mechanic
- Mechanic
- Mechanical/electrical engineer
- Navigation systems technician
- Pilot
- Pipefitter
- Plumber
- Radar technician
- Radio operator
- Repairmen
- Sheet Metal worker
- Supply helper
- Supply warehouse
- Technician
- Truck driver
- Weapons mechanic
- Welder
Simmons Hanly Conroy has represented over 3,000 veterans, including civilian contractors and workers who were employed at U.S. Air Force bases both nationally and internationally.
Asbestos in Aircraft Parts Used by the Military
Asbestos was used in the building and maintenance of aircraft, primarily for its heat-resistant properties.
Asbestos could be found in a variety of aircraft parts, including the:
- Adhesives
- Brakes
- Electrical wiring
- Epoxies
- Gaskets
- Heat shields for engines
- Heating systems in the cockpit
- Insulation in the cargo bay
U.S. Air Force mechanics were especially at risk for exposure, as they were more likely to be around airborne asbestos dust and fibers while working with these parts.
However, products containing asbestos could also be found in other areas around the base.
Get a Free Legal Consultation
- We fight to maximize your results
- Many clients get results in as few as 90 days
- No out-of-pocket costs for you or your family
U.S. Air Force Bases with Asbestos
The construction materials used to build on-base housing, dining halls and other buildings often contained asbestos. Unfortunately, some asbestos may still be present on U.S. Air Force bases today.
Simmons Hanly Conroy is dedicated to working with U.S. Air Force veterans who were negligently exposed to asbestos. Our mesothelioma lawyers can work to secure compensation on your behalf — at no out-of-pocket cost to you or your family.
We’ve represented clients across the country, including at the following U.S. Air Force bases:
- Altus Air Force Base – Altus, OK
- Amarillo Air Force Base/Amarillo Army Air Field – Amarillo, TX
- Andrews Air Force Base/Joint Base – Maryland, MD
- Benton Air Force Station – Scranton, PA
- Bergstrom Air Force Base – Austin, TX
- Brooks Field Air Force Base – San Antonio, TX
- Buckley Air Force Base – Aurora, CO
- Burns Flat Air Force Base/Altus Air Force Base – Altus, OK
- Carswell Air Force Base – Fort Worth, TX
- Chanute Air Force Base – Rantoul, IL
- Clark Air Base – Luzon, PI
- Clinton-Sherman Air Force Base – Burns Flat, OK
- Dobbins Air Reserve Base – Marietta, GA
- Dover Air Force Base – Dover, DE
- Duluth Air National Guard Base – Duluth, MN
- Eaker Air Force Base – Blytheville, AR
- Edwards Air Force Base – Edwards, CA
- Eglin Air Force – Valparaiso, FL
- Eielson Air Force Base – Fairbanks, AK
- Ellsworth Air Force Base – Piedmont, SD
- Elmendorf Air Force Base/Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson – Anchorage, AK
- Ethan Allen Air Force Base/Burlington Air National Guard Base – South Burlington, VT
- Forbes Air Force Base/Forbes Field Air National Guard Base/Topeka Army Air Field – Topeka, KS
- Glasgow Air Force Base – Glasgow, MT
- Grand Forks Air Force Base – Grand Forks, ND
- Griffiss Air Force Base – Rome, NY
- Gunter Air Force base/Maxwell Air Force Base – Montgomery, AL
- Hanna City Air Force Station – Hanna City, IL
- Hanscom Air Force Base – Bedford, MA
- Hickam Air Force Base – Honolulu, HI
- Hill Air Force Base – Ogden, UT
- Holloman Air Force Base – Alamogordo, NM
- Homestead Air Reserve Base – Homestead, FL
- Hurlburt Field – Walton Beach, FL
- K. I. Sawyer Air Force Base – Marquette, MI
- Kadena Air Force Base – Okinawa, Japan
- Keesler Air Force Base – Biloxi, MS
- Kelly Air Force Base/Kelly Field Annex – San Antonio, TX
- Kirtland Air Force Base – Albuquerque, NM
- Lackland Air Force Base – San Antonio, TX
- Liberal Army Air Field – Liberal, KS
- Little Rock Air Force Base – Jacksonville, AR
- Los Angeles Air Force Base – El Segundo, CA
- Lowry Air Force Base – Denver, CO
- Luke Air Force Base – Glendale, AZ
- MacDill Air Force Base – Tampa, FL
- Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base – Montgomery, AL
- McClellan Air Force Base – Sacramento, CA
- McConnell Air Force Base – Wichita, KS
- Miles City Air Force Base – Miles City, MT
- Minot Air Force Base – Minot, ND
- Mountain Home Air Force Base – Boise, ID
- Nellis Air Force Base/ Las Vegas Air Force Base – Nellis, NV
- Newark Air Force Base – Newark, OH
- Norton Air Force Base – San Bernardino, CA
- Offutt Air Force Base – Bellevue, NE
- Onizuka Air Force Station – Sunnyvale, CA
- Othello Air Force Station – Othello, WA
- Parks Air Force Base/Camp Parks – Pleasanton, CA
- Patrick Air Force Base – Satellite Beach, FL
- Pease Air Force Base – Portsmouth, NH
- Peterson Air Force Base – Colorado Springs, CO
- Pinecastle/McCoy Air Force Base – Orlando, FL
- Plattsburgh Air Force Base – Plattsburgh, NY
- Quonset Point Air National Guard Station – North Kingstown RI
- Randolph Air Force Base – San Antonio, TX
- Robins Air Force Base – Warner Robins, GA
- Sampson Air Force Base – Seneca Lake, NY
- Schilling Air Force Base/Smokey Hills Air Force Base – Salina, KS
- Schofield Barracks/Fort Shafter – Wahiawa, HI
- Scott Air Force Base – Belleville, IL
- Selfridge Air Force Base – Township, MI
- Sheppard Air Force Base – Wichita Falls,TX
- Suwon Air Base – Suwon, South Korea
- Tinker Air Force Base – Oklahoma City, OK
- Torrejon Air Force Base – Madrid, Spain
- Travis Air Force Base – Fairfield, CA
- Turner Air Force Base- Albany, GA
- Tyndall Air Force Base – Panama City, FL
- Vandenberg Air Force Base – Lompoc, CA
- Warren Air Force Base/Francis E. Warren Air Force Base – Cheyenne, WY
- Webb Air Force Base – Big Spring, TX
- Westover Air Reserve Base – Chicopee, MA
- Whiteman Air Force Base – Sedalia, MO
- Wright-Patterson Air Force Base – Dayton, OH
- Wurtsmith Air Force Base – Oscoda Charter Township, MI
Don't see your base or maintenance station listed?
This is only a partial list of bases with asbestos. Contact Simmons Hanly Conroy today to see if your base could have exposed you to asbestos.
Compensation for U.S. Air Force Veterans with Mesothelioma
Simmons Hanly Conroy is a national mesothelioma law firm with over 25 years of experience representing clients against asbestos companies.
Our firm handles every step of the legal process, so you can focus on your family and your health. We’ve recovered more than $9.6 billion on behalf of our clients with mesothelioma.
Get a free case evaluation to see if we can help you access justice and compensation too.
Mesothelioma Lawsuits
Many asbestos companies were aware of the fact that asbestos could cause people to develop deadly illnesses, but they hid this information to protect their profits
A mesothelioma lawsuit may allow you to hold these companies accountable for their actions while seeking compensation to pay for medical bills, travel costs and other expenses.
Asbestos Trust Funds
As asbestos companies began to file for bankruptcy in an effort to avoid mesothelioma lawsuits, the U.S. court system mandated that these companies put money into trust funds to pay victims.
Today, there is an estimated $30 billion remaining in asbestos trust funds. You may be able to access compensation from multiple trust funds without ever having to go to court.
Past Mesothelioma Settlements for U.S. Air Force Veterans
Simmons Hanly Conroy is dedicated to working with U.S. Air Force veterans who were negligently exposed to asbestos.
Our mesothelioma lawyers will work to secure compensation on your behalf — at no out-of-pocket cost to you or your family. We strive to maximize the amount of compensation that you receive.
Past mesothelioma settlements and verdicts for U.S. Air Force veterans include:
- $3.56 million to a U.S. Air Force veteran and teacher in Arizona
- $3.9 million to a U.S. Air Force veteran in Colorado
- $2.92 million for a U.S. Air Force veteran in Wisconsin
- $1.86 million to a U.S. Air Force veteran in Virginia
- $3.5 million for a U.S. Air Force veteran with mesothelioma
- $2.1 million for a U.S. Air Force veteran and repairman in Florida
- $1.9 million to a U.S. Air Force veteran and pipefitter
- $2.95 million to a U.S. Air Force veteran and plumber in Colorado
- $3.86 million for a U.S. Air Force veteran and electrician in Arizona
- $2.9 million to a U.S. Air Force veteran in South Carolina
- Over $1 million for a U.S. Air Force veteran and inventory specialist in Vermont
- $2 million for a U.S. U.S. Air Force veteran and machinist in Colorado
VA Benefits for Mesothelioma
The VA offers veterans with mesothelioma access to health care and financial compensation if their asbestos exposure happened during their service.
VA benefits for mesothelioma may include:
- VA Disability Compensation
- VA Health Care
- VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (VA DIC)
- VA Pension
- Special Monthly Compensation (SMC)
Our VA-accredited attorneys can help veterans with mesothelioma or their families prepare their VA claims.
Simmons Hanly Conroy: Supporting U.S. Air Force Veterans
John Simmons, a military veteran, started Simmons Hanly Conroy in 1999. Simmons lost a loved one to mesothelioma, so he understands firsthand the pain that this disease can cause.
John, along with the rest of the team at Simmons Hanly Conroy, prides himself on developing close bonds with everyone that he helps.
“You’re not just a number. We’ll know your name. Someone will take your call and someone will call you back. We even place calls to our clients long after their case is resolved to make sure they’re doing OK.”
– John Simmons, Founder & U.S. Army Veteran
The Simmons Hanly Conroy team is honored to help U.S. Air Force veterans and their loved ones get the compensation they need for treatment and financial security.
We have also shown our support for veterans and mesothelioma victims by donating over $20 million to cancer research and mesothelioma advocacy organizations.
If you have a case, we will travel to you at no charge. We also have registered nurses on staff who can help you understand the details of your diagnosis.
Get a free legal consultation or call (800) 326-8900 today to learn more.
Meet Our Veteran Mesothelioma Attorneys
Find out more about a few of our asbestos lawyers who have also served in the U.S. military.
Brian Cooke
Partner
U.S. Marine Corps Veteran
Read Brian’s Story
Michael Stewart
Partner
U.S. Marine Corps Veteran
Read Michael’s Story
Mesothelioma & U.S. Air Force Veterans FAQs
Is mesothelioma a VA disability?
Yes. If you were exposed to asbestos during your time in the military, you may be eligible to file a VA claim for health care and financial compensation.
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, mesothelioma has a 100% disability rating. As of December 2023, this means that you may be eligible for over $3,700 a month from the VA.
How long does it take to get compensation for mesothelioma?
It depends. The wait time will vary based on multiple factors, including whether a mesothelioma settlement is reached or if the case proceeds to court.
We know the financial hardship a mesothelioma diagnosis can bring on families. That’s why we fight for as much compensation as possible for our clients — as quickly as possible.
Reach out to our team today for a free legal consultation.
How long do you have to be exposed to asbestos to get mesothelioma?
Unfortunately, there is no level of safe exposure to asbestos. Even breathing in just a few fibers can cause you to develop mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases.
Since mesothelioma can take 10-50 years to appear to develop, it is important to know the signs and symptoms of mesothelioma if you have any history of asbestos exposure.
Do you sue the U.S. Air Force for mesothelioma?
No. A mesothelioma claim is filed against the company or companies that produced and distributed products containing asbestos, not against the U.S. Air Force or the government.
Start My Free Consultation
Start My Free ConsultationSecure Submission
Reviewed by:Brian J. Cooke- Fact-Checked
- Legal Reviewer
Asbestos attorney Brian Cooke joined the firm in 2004 and is now one of the firm’s partners. He previously served two tours of duty with the United States Marine Corps after graduating from University of Missouri Columbia’s School of Law. As an asbestos attorney, Brian has built his legal practice on being a legal voice for victims of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. He works hard to put his clients first.