Marine Corps📍 Jacksonville, North CarolinaActive: 1942–present
Asbestos Exposure at Camp Lejeune
Camp Lejeune is the largest U.S. Marine Corps base on the East Coast and one of the most storied military installations in American history. In addition to its well-documented water contamination crisis, Camp Lejeune service members, workers, and their families were exposed to asbestos in barracks, maintenance facilities, and military equipment throughout the base's history.
170,000Peak Workers
$30B+Trust Funds Available
$0Upfront Legal Cost
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Medical and legal information reviewed and updated: • Sources: VA records, EPA Superfund data, NIOSH studies, litigation history
Asbestos History at Camp Lejeune
Camp Lejeune is the largest U.S. Marine Corps base on the East Coast and one of the most storied military installations in American history. In addition to its well-documented water contamination crisis, Camp Lejeune service members, workers, and their families were exposed to asbestos in barracks, maintenance facilities, and military equipment throughout the base's history.
Key Facts
Camp Lejeune was established in 1942 and spans 246 square miles, making it one of the largest Marine Corps installations in the world.
At peak capacity during WWII and training surges, Camp Lejeune housed over 170,000 personnel.
Camp Lejeune is separately known for contaminated drinking water from 1953 to 1987, which exposed nearly one million people to toxic chemicals including benzene and PCE.
Asbestos-containing building materials were used extensively throughout the base in construction projects from the 1940s through the 1970s.
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 opened new legal avenues for veterans and family members harmed by base-related toxic exposures.
Where Asbestos Was Found at Camp Lejeune
Asbestos was integrated into the infrastructure of virtually every military installation built before 1980. At Camp Lejeune, documented asbestos-containing materials were found in:
WWII-era barracks and housing units
Base maintenance and repair shops
Motor pool vehicle maintenance bays
Steam heating systems in base buildings
Pipe insulation in older structures
Mess halls and administrative buildings
Ship maintenance facilities at the Marine Corps base harbor
Workers and service members in these areas faced chronic low-level exposure over the course of months or years. Because mesothelioma has a latency period of 20 to 50 years, many veterans who served decades ago are only receiving diagnoses today.
Affected Occupations at Camp Lejeune
Certain occupational roles at Camp Lejeune carried significantly higher asbestos exposure risk due to direct contact with insulation, gaskets, pipe systems, and other asbestos-containing materials:
👷Marine infantry and support personnel
👷Vehicle and equipment mechanics
👷Maintenance workers
👷Pipefitters
👷Electricians
👷Construction workers
👷Demolition and renovation crews
Even workers who did not directly handle asbestos — such as supervisors, inspectors, or administrative personnel who spent time in affected areas — may have experienced bystander exposure sufficient to cause mesothelioma decades later.
Asbestos Trust Funds for Camp Lejeune Veterans
The companies that manufactured and supplied asbestos-containing materials used at Camp Lejeune have established bankruptcy trust funds totaling over $30 billion to compensate victims. Veterans and workers exposed at this installation may be eligible to file claims against multiple trusts:
Johns-Manville
Owens Corning
W.R. Grace
Armstrong World Industries
Pittsburgh Corning
Trust fund claims are separate from VA benefits — you can pursue both simultaneously. Most trust fund claims are resolved within 12 to 18 months. Our attorneys handle the entire process with no upfront cost.
VA Benefits for Camp Lejeune Veterans
Marine Corps veterans stationed at this base encountered asbestos in barracks, motor pools, aircraft maintenance areas, and weapons training facilities throughout their service.
VA Disability & Healthcare Benefits
100% VA Disability Rating — Mesothelioma automatically qualifies for the maximum VA disability rating, providing monthly compensation of $3,737+ for a single veteran (2026 rates).
VA Healthcare — Full access to VA oncology centers, including specialized mesothelioma care at VA cancer centers.
Aid & Attendance — Additional monthly compensation for veterans who need help with daily activities due to illness.
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) — Monthly payments to surviving spouses and dependent children of veterans who died from service-connected asbestos diseases.
Vocational Rehabilitation — Job training and career services for veterans whose condition affects their ability to work.
Veterans with mesothelioma or asbestos-related lung cancer have the right to file civil lawsuits against the manufacturers of asbestos products used at their base — separate from and in addition to VA claims. These lawsuits are filed against the asbestos companies, not the military, and do not affect your VA benefits.
Statute of Limitations — Act Before Your Deadline
Every state imposes a filing deadline — called the statute of limitations — for mesothelioma claims. In most states, you have 2 to 3 years from the date of diagnosis to file. Missing this deadline permanently bars your right to compensation.
Our attorneys have worked with veterans from Camp Lejeune and dozens of other military installations. We understand the unique exposure history, documentation requirements, and combination of VA + civil litigation strategies that maximize compensation for veterans and their families. No fees unless we win.
Free Case Review for Camp Lejeune Veterans
If you or a family member served at Camp Lejeune and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or asbestos-related lung cancer, contact us today. Our attorneys are available 24/7 and will review your case at no cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was there asbestos at Camp Lejeune?
Yes. Camp Lejeune (Jacksonville, North Carolina) has documented asbestos exposure from 1942–present. Asbestos was used in WWII-era barracks and housing units, Base maintenance and repair shops, Motor pool vehicle maintenance bays, and other areas throughout the installation. Asbestos-related diseases linked to this base include mesothelioma and lung cancer.
Can Marine Corps veterans from Camp Lejeune get compensation?
Yes. Veterans who served at Camp Lejeune and were later diagnosed with mesothelioma or asbestos-related lung cancer may qualify for compensation from asbestos trust funds including Johns-Manville, Owens Corning, W.R. Grace. Personal injury lawsuits against asbestos manufacturers are also available. Our firm works on contingency — no fees unless we win.
What VA benefits are available for Camp Lejeune veterans?
Veterans who served at Camp Lejeune and developed asbestos-related diseases may qualify for VA disability compensation at up to 100% disability rating, VA healthcare including specialized oncology treatment, Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) for severe disability, and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) for surviving family members.
Can family members of Camp Lejeune workers file claims?
Yes. Family members who were exposed to asbestos brought home on work clothing (called secondary or take-home exposure) and later developed mesothelioma may file their own compensation claims. Spouses who washed work uniforms and children who were regularly near an exposed worker face documented secondary exposure risk. Courts in all 50 states recognize these claims.
Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Reading this page does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and Danziger & De Llano, LLP. Every case is unique; outcomes depend on individual facts and circumstances. Statute of limitations deadlines vary by state. Contact an attorney to discuss the specific facts of your situation.
