Mesothelioma Lawyer for Fletcher-class Destroyer Veterans
175 Fletcher-class destroyers were built between 1942 and 1944 — the workhorse of the WWII Pacific Fleet. Asbestos was used pervasively in boiler rooms, engine rooms, pipe lagging, and gaskets. Sailors who served on Fletcher-class DDs face documented elevated mesothelioma rates.
About the Fletcher-class
- Type: WWII Destroyer (DD)
- Years Active: 1942-1970s (some served Vietnam)
- Units Built: 175 (largest destroyer class)
Building Shipyards (Where Asbestos Exposure Occurred)
- Bethlehem Steel Staten Island
- Bath Iron Works ME
- Federal Shipbuilding Kearny NJ
- Bethlehem San Francisco
- Bethlehem San Pedro CA
- Boston Navy Yard
- Charleston Navy Yard
- Consolidated Steel Orange TX
- Gulf Shipbuilding Chickasaw AL
- Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding
How Crew + Shipyard Workers Were Exposed
175 Fletcher-class destroyers were built between 1942 and 1944 — the workhorse of the WWII Pacific Fleet. Asbestos was used pervasively in boiler rooms, engine rooms, pipe lagging, and gaskets. Sailors who served on Fletcher-class DDs face documented elevated mesothelioma rates.
Compensation for Fletcher-class Veterans + Workers
Three parallel tracks for sailors, civilian shipyard workers, and family members:
- VA disability — mesothelioma is rated 100% for Navy veterans with documented service aboard Fletcher-class vessels.
- Asbestos trust funds — typically 8-12 trusts apply (Manville, UNARCO, OC, Combustion Engineering, B&W, Garlock, Crane, Foster Wheeler, Eagle-Picher).
- Product liability lawsuits — against the private companies that supplied asbestos products to the Navy.
How Whitman Mesothelioma Law Firm Helps
We represent Fletcher-class veterans, civilian shipyard workers, and family members nationwide. Authored by Michelle Whitman, reviewed by Paul Danziger, edited by Rod De Llano.