R. Bruce Woodruff
Captain, U.S. Navy (Retired) | Expert Witness — Asbestos Exposure Cases
Military Background
Captain R. Bruce Woodruff served a distinguished career in the United States Navy, holding critical roles that gave him direct, firsthand knowledge of asbestos use aboard naval vessels. His service positions included chief engineer, main propulsion assistant, repair officer, and program manager on two ships.
Captain Woodruff ultimately became commanding officer in charge of shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi — one of the largest naval shipbuilding centers in the country. In this role, he gained intimate understanding of how asbestos was used throughout ship construction, the environments in which sailors and shipyard workers were exposed, and the long-term health consequences of that exposure.
His decades of naval service provide an authoritative foundation for evaluating asbestos exposure claims from veterans who served on ships where asbestos was pervasive in insulation, pipe lagging, gaskets, engine rooms, and boiler compartments.
Asbestos Expert Witness Experience
Drawing on his extensive naval engineering and shipbuilding career, Captain Woodruff has provided expert witness testimony on behalf of more than 75 asbestos exposure victims. His testimony helps courts and juries understand the specific circumstances of military asbestos exposure — where it occurred, how service members were exposed, and why the exposure was unavoidable given their duties.
Captain Woodruff’s expertise is particularly valuable in cases involving:
- Navy veterans exposed to asbestos aboard ships during service
- Shipyard workers exposed during construction, repair, and overhaul operations
- Engineers and mechanics who worked in engine rooms and boiler compartments
- Veterans from any military branch who served on or near naval vessels
His testimony provides the critical technical evidence needed to connect a veteran’s specific duties and service locations to documented asbestos exposure, strengthening compensation claims and helping families receive the benefits they deserve.
Areas of Expertise
Naval Asbestos Exposure
Comprehensive knowledge of where and how asbestos was used on U.S. Navy ships
Shipbuilding Operations
Commanding officer experience at major naval shipbuilding facility
Expert Witness Testimony
75+ expert witness testimonies on behalf of asbestos exposure victims
Military Content Review
Reviews and validates military-related asbestos content for accuracy
Engine Room Exposure
Technical expertise on asbestos use in engine rooms and boiler compartments
Veterans Claims Support
Helps document military exposure to support VA and legal claims
Veterans & Mesothelioma Resources
Military veterans are among the most affected by mesothelioma due to widespread asbestos use across all branches of the Armed Forces. Learn more about your options for VA benefits, asbestos trust fund claims, and legal compensation.
Veterans Mesothelioma Guide →Meet the Rest of Our Team
Larry Gates
Veterans Benefits & Asbestos Claims Specialist
Specializes in helping military veterans file VA claims and access asbestos trust fund compensation nationwide.
View Full Profile →
Paul Danziger
J.D., Northwestern University | Texas & New York Bar
32+ years of mesothelioma litigation. Over $2 billion recovered for patients and families.
View Full Profile →David Foster
M.S., Oklahoma State University | 30+ Years in Advocacy
Executive Director of Patient Support. Medical scientist turned advocate after losing his father to asbestos-related lung cancer.
View Full Profile →Speak With a Veterans Mesothelioma Specialist
If you or a loved one served in the military and has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, our team is here to help. We’ll evaluate your case, identify every potential source of compensation — from VA benefits to asbestos trust funds — and guide you through the entire process.
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