Asbestos Exposure on the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt

Hull Number: CV-42
Type: Aircraft Carrier
Class: Midway
Built: Brooklyn, NY

This Midway-class Aircraft Carrier was commissioned by the U.S. Navy just after the end of World War II, in October of 1945. The vessel spent most of its service conducting operations in the Mediterranean Sea, and in 1950 became the first carrier to take nuclear weapons to sea.

It was the first ship of its class to undergo the SCB-110 reconstruction, and then received a second refitting in 1968 to further modernize it. The ship served for over twenty years before being decommissioned in September 1977.

Many veterans who served aboard the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt were likely exposed to asbestos over the course of their regular duty. From the 1930’s until the 1970’s, most U.S. Navy ships were built using asbestos equipment, including boilers, turbines, pumps, valves, and electrical components.

Several materials used on these ships were also made of asbestos, such as gaskets and packing. These were primarily located in the boiler and engine spaces of Navy ships, leaving Boiler Tenders, Machinist’s Mates, Firemen, and others who worked in these areas at a high risk.

The businesses that manufactured these materials and components were often aware of the harmful effects of asbestos, but never warned the Navy veterans who worked with their products. This caused many to develop mesothelioma, the only known cause of which is exposure to asbestos.

Victims of asbestos who served on the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt or other Navy ships from this era are entitled to seek compensation, and will not sacrifice their VA benefits by doing so.

Settlements can help cover the staggering costs of battling diseases like mesothelioma and lung cancer, and can provide additional sums for the suffering of one’s family. The law places limits on the time a lawsuit can be filed, so it is important to seek legal counsel soon after a diagnosis is made.