Veterans Guide

Asbestos Trust Funds for Navy Veterans

Navy veterans and their families may be eligible for compensation from asbestos bankruptcy trust funds established by manufacturers of insulation, gaskets, and other ACM products used aboard U.S. Navy vessels.

Dozens of companies that manufactured or supplied asbestos-containing materials used aboard U.S. Navy vessels filed for bankruptcy and established compensation trust funds. These trusts collectively hold over $30 billion in assets set aside for claimants — including Navy veterans and civilian shipyard workers.

Trust fund claims operate independently of VA benefits. A veteran can receive VA disability compensation, pursue a civil lawsuit, and file trust claims simultaneously. These are separate legal pathways with separate rules and separate compensation pools.

Key trusts relevant to Navy veterans include those established by Johns-Manville, Combustion Engineering, Babcock & Wilcox, W.R. Grace, Owens-Illinois, Owens Corning, and Crane Co. — all of whom supplied products that were reportedly installed aboard U.S. Navy vessels.