If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma as an aircraft mechanic, you deserve and have the right to compensation.
With asbestos used extensively in aircraft components from the 1930s to the 1990s, mesothelioma in aircraft mechanics has been diagnosed at a heartbreaking rate.
Both civilian and military mechanics were frequently exposed during daily maintenance and repair, particularly when working in proximity to brake pads, clutches, gaskets, insulation, heat shields, and electrical wiring.
With a latency period of 20 to 50 years, many aircraft mechanics are only being diagnosed with mesothelioma now. Yet, there is still an ongoing risk in older aircraft.
In this guide to mesothelioma in aircraft mechanics, we’ll explain your legal options and the context around the industry’s exposure to asbestos.
Why Aircraft Mechanics Face High Mesothelioma Risk
Airborne and Disturbed Asbestos Fibers
Asbestos exposure for aircraft mechanics was considerably higher than in many other professions, with mechanics handling and disturbing asbestos-containing parts at a very close distance.
Whether they were cutting, sanding, drilling, or grinding parts to fit, asbestos was frequently made ‘friable’. This is the material’s most dangerous state, as the fibers become airborne and therefore inhaled.
Poor Ventilation and Protection
Work was also often performed in enclosed spaces, such as hangars, maintenance bays, or even below deck on aircraft carriers. There, ventilation was often very poor, leading to trapped airborne fibers that were inhaled in extreme quantities.
This toxic work exposure was also daily, often for decades, across thousands of aircraft. Often, with minimal protection or no PPE.
Asbestos-Containing Aircraft Components
Asbestos in aircraft parts was almost a given throughout the industry during the 20th century. Here are the most notable components that you may have been exposed to:
Brake Systems
16%-23% of aircraft brakes contained asbestos. This made it the primary source of exposure, particularly since brake repair and replacement were the most common tasks for aircraft mechanics.
Brake pads, linings, shoes, and housings all contained the substance and would release large quantities of asbestos dust when worked upon.
Engine Components and Gaskets
Asbestos’s heat-resistant qualities also led to its use in engine gaskets, engine mounts, clutch facings, packing materials, valves, and seals.
These components would often get sanded, cut, and manipulated into shapes that would release asbestos fibers.
Insulation and Heat Shields
As in all industries, asbestos’s insulation properties made it vital for aircraft insulation. It was found in cockpits, fuselage, heat shields, exhaust systems, and firewall materials between engine compartments and crew areas.
Electrical Systems and Adhesives
Electrical wiring, insulation, sealants, coatings, and adhesives were used in aircraft assembly. These components contained around 25% asbestos and were used on every aircraft.
Protective Equipment
Even some of the PPE worn by aircraft mechanics contained asbestos. Gloves, blankets, and aprons worn to protect against burns posed an asbestos risk when they deteriorated.
Military Aircraft Mechanics: Branch-Specific Risks
Military aircraft asbestos exposure was a high risk, especially before 1986, due to the large number of aircraft that required ongoing maintenance in often poorly ventilated spaces:
U.S. Air Force
The U.S. Air Force saw base mechanics who worked on brakes, wiring, head shields, and cockpit insulation while maintaining fighters, bombers, cargo aircraft, and helicopters.
But they may also have faced double exposure to asbestos in the hangars and maintenance facilities where they served, which were built with asbestos-containing materials.
U.S. Navy
Aircraft carrier mechanics were often working below deck (in inadequately ventilated spaces) on fighters, surveillance planes, and helicopters.
The ships themselves were also saturated with asbestos. Sadly, the U.S. Navy therefore has the highest rate of mesothelioma diagnosis in aircraft mechanics of any military branch.
U.S. Marine Corps
Aviation mechanics in the U.S. Marine Corps were exposed to asbestos while maintaining helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. Like Navy mechanics, they were often working in poorly ventilated shipboard spaces.
Other Military Branches
Aircraft mechanics with mesothelioma have also been seen in other military branches, including Army aviation mechanics (from working on helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft) and the Coast Guard.
Other At-Risk Aviation Occupations
Outside of the military, the aviation industry’s use of asbestos was far-reaching. Even today, asbestos may still be in aircraft parts in old planes. At-risk jobs included:
- Avionics technicians
- Aircraft electricians
- Flight line ground crews
- Manufacturing and assembly workers (Boeing, Lockheed, Sikorsky, etc.)
- Airport maintenance workers
- Aerospace engineers and inspectors
Health Risks and Symptoms
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma in aircraft mechanics is a rare and aggressive cancer of the lining of the lung or abdomen. In the U.S., there are around 3,000 new cases every year. That’s around 1 per 110,000 people.
Its cause is direct or ingested asbestos fibers. It’s fatal, and there is no cure. However, treatment can slow the progression and reduce severity, which is why compensation for medical bills can be so crucial for ex-aircraft mechanics.
Symptoms include chest pain, persistent cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, and unexplained weight loss.
Lung Cancer and Asbestosis
Lung cancer can also be caused by prolonged asbestos inhalation, as well as asbestosis (progressive lung scarring).
Around 4% of all lung cancer cases are caused by asbestos exposure, and it leads to around 130,000 deaths per year. Smoking significantly increases the risk of lung cancer.
Latency Emphasis
Aircraft mechanics with mesothelioma only discover it much later, due to a latency of around 20 to 50 years after exposure.
Many mechanics who served between 1960 and 1980 are therefore only now receiving a diagnosis.
We strongly advise anyone who worked on aircraft before the 1990s to inform their physician of their occupational or military history.
Secondary Exposure Risk to the Families of Aircraft Mechanics
Mesothelioma has sadly also been seen in the families of aircraft mechanics, due to the asbestos dust that was carried home on uniforms, work clothing, shoes, and hair.
Studies show that secondary exposure was confirmed as being caused by asbestos on military uniforms. There was also an increased risk for military families living on or near bases, where asbestos was present in buildings and vehicles.
Legal and Financial Compensation Options
Aircraft mechanics with mesothelioma deserve compensation to help them recover from their injuries, adjust to their new circumstances, and support their families.
Note that military mechanics do not make claims against the military. Instead, claims are made against at-fault companies.
Asbestos Trust Funds
Asbestos Trust Funds were set up in the wake of widespread bankruptcies among manufacturers in the 1980s. Their creation ensured funds were secured for future mesothelioma claimants.
Today, around $30 billion remains available in the trusts.
If a manufacturer of a component, part, or material was responsible for your asbestos exposure, you can file multiple trust claims to gain the compensation you deserve.
Personal Injury Lawsuits
Personal injury lawsuits can also be filed against aircraft component manufacturers and asbestos suppliers (and not the military or government).
On average, mesothelioma settlements are valued at $1M to $2M.
Wrongful Death Claims
Mesothelioma claims for family members are possible when their loved one has passed away, via a wrongful death claim.
These claims are designed to recover funeral and burial expenses and to compensate for loss of earnings and loss of companionship.
VA Benefits (Military Mechanics)
Military aircraft mechanics with Mesothelioma may also be able to file for VA benefits.
Mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancer qualify for a 100% VA disability rating, which ensures a monthly compensation of $3,900 per month plus free healthcare.
The filing process is explained in our guide to Asbestos and Military Veterans here.
Workers’ Compensation (Civilian Mechanics)
Civilian aviation mechanics can typically access workers’ compensation via state workers’ compensation systems or federal programs (depending on their employer type).
Note that this will not prevent you from pursuing personal injury lawsuits.
How Shrader & Associates Helps Aircraft Mechanics
Shrader & Associates specializes in helping victims of asbestos exposure win the compensation they deserve.
Proving causation in mesothelioma cases can be very complex. Still, our expertise and experience in both military and civilian aviation exposure means we can uncover critical documents that can be used to prove your diagnosis was linked to your work and, therefore, file multi-defendant lawsuits.
We can also help coordinate your VA benefits process, knowing it can often be overwhelming and complex to navigate, especially when looking back through long-lost records.
Schedule a Free Consultation Today
We welcome you to contact our nationwide office at Shrader & Associates, L.L.P. for a free consultation today.
We believe every aircraft mechanic deserves the right to legal support, which is why we work on a no-win, no-fee basis. There are no upfront costs, and we don’t get paid unless we win your case.
We will be happy to listen to your story and guide you through your legal options before diving deep into our resources to build a watertight case.
FAQs on Mesothelioma in Aircraft Mechanics
Are aircraft mechanics at high risk for mesothelioma?
Yes. Aviation is one of the top industries at risk of asbestos exposure, largely because asbestos dust and fibers are disturbed in proximity, often in poorly ventilated environments.
What aircraft parts contained asbestos?
Asbestos was widely used throughout the aircraft industry, particularly in aircraft brakes, engine components, gaskets and seals, insulation, electrical components, and adhesives and glues.
Can military aircraft mechanics file lawsuits and receive VA benefits at the same time?
Yes. Pursuing lawsuits, trust fund claims, or VA benefits does not affect one another.
How long after aircraft maintenance work does mesothelioma appear?
Mesothelioma typically becomes apparent only 20 to 50 years after the initial exposure.
Do older aircraft still contain asbestos?
Although asbestos was banned in aircraft after 1980, it is still present in older aircraft whose parts have not been replaced.