Seeking Justice for Exposure to Asbestos in the U.S. Navy
Walter Twidwell spent his life putting others before himself, including while serving as a boiler tender in the U.S. Navy. That service came at a cost he never saw coming — years of asbestos exposure that eventually claimed his health.
Decades after his service, Walter was diagnosed with mesothelioma. With his health failing and medical bills rising, Walter decided to pursue a mesothelioma lawsuit with Sokolove Law.
Our mesothelioma attorneys took his case to trial, where a jury awarded him $40.1 Million for the harm he had suffered.
“They were prepared,” Walter noted about his attorneys. “They could go back to day 1. And I appreciated that.”
As a national mesothelioma law firm, Sokolove Law has been fighting for patients like Walter for over 45 years, recovering more than $5.5 Billion to date. Call (800) 647-3434 now to see if we may be able to secure compensation for you.
He said, “You have all your paperwork in order?” I said, “Yes I do.” He said, “Well, keep it there” Nobody ever said anything, about it being dangerous. The powers at be knew. I said, “Well, heck with this noise. They’re gonna hear from me.” I wasn’t suing the government, I wasn’t suing the U.S. Navy, I was suing the manufacturer. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Mesothelioma, you may be entitled to compensation.
Walter’s U.S. Navy Service & Asbestos Exposure
Raised in Washington, Walter learned what duty meant early on. He lost his father at 14 and took on adult responsibilities quickly, like waking up before dawn to milk cows and then heading to school.
But Walter wanted something different. Inspired in part by his uncle’s military service, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy at age 17 to avoid becoming a logger like many others in his community.
Over his U.S. Navy career, Walter served on several ships as a boiler tender and fireman, handling products like insulation and gaskets that contained asbestos. It was this exposure that would lead to his mesothelioma diagnosis later in life.
“When I went aboard my first ship and started doing my first job, they told me it was asbestos,” explained Walter. “But nobody ever said anything about it being dangerous.”
Filing U.S. Navy Asbestos Claims
After Walter’s diagnosis, a friend reached out to Sokolove Law on his behalf after seeing an ad on television. However, Walter wasn’t sure if he wanted to file a mesothelioma lawsuit. He was worried that it would mean suing the military or government.
Reluctantly, Walter agreed to meet with Sokolove Law attorneys. Members of our team traveled to meet with him at his home, listened to his story, and helped him understand the legal process.
As Walter learned more about the source of his asbestos exposure from speaking with our mesothelioma attorneys, his perspective shifted — and he was ready to move forward.
“What convinced me to carry on with a lawsuit was when I was informed I wasn’t suing the government, and I wasn’t suing the U.S. Navy. I was suing the manufacturer,” Walter said. “I got mad then. Because they knew, many years prior, what asbestos would do to a human. I said, ‘They’re gonna hear from me.’”
Exposure to Asbestos on U.S. Navy Ships
One of the most important aspects of Walter’s case was proving his asbestos exposure. With a warehouse’s worth of information about the asbestos industry, Sokolove Law showed how Walter’s U.S. Navy service led to his diagnosis.
Walter served his country for 20 years through the Korean and Vietnam wars, coming into contact with asbestos on U.S. Navy ships constantly. Asbestos was widely used aboard U.S. Navy ships for its heat resistance and durability, especially in the boiler and engine rooms where Walter worked.
Walter was exposed to asbestos through materials like:
- Gaskets
- Insulation
- Packing and paneling
- Pipes
- Steam valves
- Wires
His work was physically demanding and constant. Boilers, valves, and piping systems required frequent maintenance. At one point, Walter spent 3 days and nights repairing systems to keep his ship operational, earning a commendation from the Secretary of the U.S. Navy for his efforts.
But through all the long hours Walter spent ensuring everything ran smoothly, he was breathing in asbestos fibers without knowing the dangers.
Many of the companies that made asbestos products used on U.S. Navy ships concealed the health risks from the military and the public for decades. For Walter and countless other veterans, mesothelioma was the price of their service — one they never agreed to pay.
Walter’s Experience Working with Sokolove Law
Like many patients with mesothelioma, Walter was unfamiliar with the process of filing an asbestos claim. Yet with our mesothelioma law firm behind him, the experience was much easier to navigate.
Our team handled all the work of Walter’s mesothelioma lawsuit from start to finish — just like we’ve done with the other 9,300+ families who’ve trusted us with their claims. This meant Walter could focus on his cancer battle while we pursued compensation on his behalf.
“There was no guessing about it. They had the paperwork to back them up. I couldn't stop thinking to myself, ‘Oh wow, these boys know what they're doing,'” Walter recalled about his legal team and attorney. "I was surprised by the fire in him, and I appreciated it."
The U.S. Navy veteran also recalled how personable his attorneys were, which made him comfortable with the legal process from day 1. He later described them as “instant friends.”
Recovering a Meaningful Mesothelioma Verdict
While most mesothelioma lawsuits result in out-of-court settlements, Walter’s case went to trial. However, our asbestos lawyers were by Walter’s side and were prepared to fight on his behalf in court.
During the 2-week trial, Walter answered questions about his service, asbestos exposure, and diagnosis on the stand. His attorneys worked to present evidence clearly and effectively, drawing on decades of experience litigating these kinds of cases in court.
Ultimately, the jury sided with Walter and Sokolove Law, awarding a $40.1 Million mesothelioma verdict after less than 2 hours of deliberation.
“This verdict honors the service and sacrifice of a man who gave his life to his country, only to have it put at risk by corporate negligence. No one who served our country should suffer because corporations concealed the truth about asbestos. We’re honored to have helped Mr. Twidwell’s voice be heard.”
– Ricky LeBlanc, Managing Attorney at Sokolove Law
How Financial Compensation Helped Walter
After his verdict was secured, Walter remained focused on what mattered most to him: helping others. He planned to use much of his compensation to support his family, with the rest going to his church, Masonic organizations, and Shriners hospitals.
As Walter’s cancer progressed, it took a serious toll on his health. He suffered from significant symptoms like shortness of breath, weakness, and weight loss, dropping over 50 pounds. As a result, he was no longer able to live the life he once led.
For so long, he had lived independently after his U.S. Navy service, building a cabin from hand and growing his own food. Now, simple tasks that he used to be able to do himself, like cutting wood, tending to his garden, or maintaining his property, were no longer possible.
For Walter, who had spent decades caring for himself, it was a difficult transition. His family members had to step in to provide care, with a niece and her husband moving into the log cabin he built by hand decades earlier.
“It hurts, because knowing that I had been so independent all my life, and now all of a sudden I can't do anything for myself,” said Walter.
The compensation helped the veteran maintain dignity throughout his cancer battle, giving him a way to provide for his family as he was so accustomed to doing.
A Lasting Impact Beyond the Verdict
As a testament to Walter’s fighting spirit, he even outlived his doctor’s original prognosis. Despite deciding against chemotherapy, Walter lived for over 2 years after his mesothelioma diagnosis, passing away peacefully at the age of 81.
Walter is remembered by his loved ones, friends, and community as a teacher and someone who showed incredible courage and grace in the face of a mesothelioma diagnosis. He remained true to himself even as he faced down the cancer that would take his life.
“I don’t want to be remembered for the deeds done. I want to be remembered for the man himself, the man that I am.”
– Walter, U.S. Navy Veteran & Firm Client
Get Help After a Mesothelioma Diagnosis
Given just 1 year to live after his mesothelioma diagnosis, Walter survived for over 2 and a half years, passing away peacefully at the age of 81. He’s remembered by friends and family as a proud U.S. veteran who faced mesothelioma with incredible bravery.
Sokolove Law is proud to represent clients like Walter in their fight for justice. For over 45 years, our firm has helped thousands of families recover compensation for medical bills, lost income, and other long-term impacts of mesothelioma.
Our mesothelioma lawyers can handle every step of the legal process on your behalf, and there are no upfront or hourly costs to work with us. We only get paid if we successfully secure compensation for you.
To date, we’ve secured over $5.5 Billion for mesothelioma patients and their loved ones across the country.
Call (800) 647-3434 now or fill out our contact form to find out how we may be able to assist your family.
