Redstone Arsenal is the home of U.S. Army aviation and missile command and has been central to American rocket and missile development since World War II. The arsenal's industrial manufacturing complex, chemical production facilities, and rocket test infrastructure created significant asbestos exposure opportunities, with insulation extensively used throughout production buildings and test stands.
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Asbestos History at Redstone Arsenal
Redstone Arsenal is the home of U.S. Army aviation and missile command and has been central to American rocket and missile development since World War II. The arsenal's industrial manufacturing complex, chemical production facilities, and rocket test infrastructure created significant asbestos exposure opportunities, with insulation extensively used throughout production buildings and test stands.
Key Facts
Redstone Arsenal was established in 1941 as a chemical weapons manufacturing facility and expanded into missile and rocket development after World War II.
German rocket scientists led by Wernher von Braun were brought to Redstone Arsenal after WWII under Operation Paperclip and developed the Redstone and Jupiter rockets there.
The Arsenal was home to the Army Ballistic Missile Agency, which launched America's first satellite, Explorer 1, in 1958.
At peak Cold War operations, Redstone employed over 40,000 military and civilian personnel.
The arsenal's industrial manufacturing buildings, many built in the 1940s and 1950s, are among the most asbestos-contaminated Army structures documented in federal environmental surveys.
Where Asbestos Was Found at Redstone Arsenal
Asbestos was integrated into the infrastructure of virtually every military installation built before 1980. At Redstone Arsenal, documented asbestos-containing materials were found in:
Rocket engine and propellant production buildings
Missile manufacturing and assembly facilities
Boiler plants and steam distribution systems
Pipe insulation throughout industrial complex
Chemical plant and laboratory facilities
Rocket test stand infrastructure
Administrative and research buildings
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 Redstone Arsenal
Certain occupational roles at Redstone Arsenal carried significantly higher asbestos exposure risk due to direct contact with insulation, gaskets, pipe systems, and other asbestos-containing materials:
👷Rocket and missile production workers
👷Chemical plant operators
👷Pipefitters
👷Boilermakers
👷Insulators
👷Electricians
👷Maintenance mechanics
👷Test stand technicians
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 Redstone Arsenal Veterans
The companies that manufactured and supplied asbestos-containing materials used at Redstone Arsenal 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
Combustion Engineering
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 Redstone Arsenal Veterans
Army veterans stationed at this installation were exposed to asbestos in barracks construction, vehicle maintenance shops, ordnance handling facilities, and base infrastructure.
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 Redstone Arsenal 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 Redstone Arsenal Veterans
If you or a family member served at Redstone Arsenal 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 Redstone Arsenal?
Yes. Redstone Arsenal (Huntsville, Alabama) has documented asbestos exposure from 1941–present. Asbestos was used in Rocket engine and propellant production buildings, Missile manufacturing and assembly facilities, Boiler plants and steam distribution systems, and other areas throughout the installation. Asbestos-related diseases linked to this base include mesothelioma and lung cancer.
Can Army veterans from Redstone Arsenal get compensation?
Yes. Veterans who served at Redstone Arsenal 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 Redstone Arsenal veterans?
Veterans who served at Redstone Arsenal 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 Redstone Arsenal 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.
