Asbestos Exposure in the Military

Asbestos was a common material in military barracks, bases and vehicles until it was discovered to cause deadly and dangerous health effects. Veterans from every branch of the military could have been exposed to asbestos and are at risk for developing mesothelioma and other diseases.

The Navy veterans are at the highest risk of asbestos exposure because of the widespread use of asbestos on Navy ships. However, Army Veterans who repaired or built vessels and motor vehicles also faced the risk of exposure.

Military Occupational Specialty (MOS)

Asbestos was a favored building material for decades before it was discovered to have harmful health effects. Asbestos was used extensively in the United States Military. Many veterans from all branches were exposed to asbestos, and a lot of them developed mesothelioma and other illnesses as a result of inhaling this toxic mineral. The Boston asbestos lawyers at the Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers have extensive experience helping Army veterans obtain VA benefits and compensation for mesothelioma as well as other asbestos-related illnesses.

The Navy employed asbestos extensively on ships and submarines during WWII. Asbestos could be present in the sleeping quarters, compartments, and other areas aboard and in nearby construction sites, shipyards and shipyards.

Air Force veterans may also have been exposed to asbestos during their time in the service. Asbestos was commonly employed in aircraft, such as rotors, fuel systems and hydraulics. Asbestos was also used for thermal insulation, fireproofing and gaskets.

asbestos lawsuit was regularly found in the work of Navy pipefitters and welding crews. Lagging that contained asbestos was frequently used on pipes that ran the entire length of a ship. Navy welders were often required to remove the lagging prior making repairs. Navy pipefitters often worked with asbestos-containing gaskets, seals and insulation. One Navy pipefitter named William Smith developed mesothelioma after suffering from lung cancer due to his exposure to asbestos.

Asbestos was a common exposure for metal fabricators as well as steelworkers in the Navy when working in the construction site or shipyard. Asbestos is an insulation material, a fireproofing material and as a welding material. Inhaling asbestos fibers poses an extremely dangerous health risk for any welding job, particularly when it's wet.

Asbestos was a common substance in the work of veterans of the Army, Marine Corps Navy and Air Force who worked on vessels or motor vehicles. Veterans can focus on the treatment they receive for mesothelioma instead of worrying about their daily expenses. They could be entitled to compensation for mesothelioma from negligent asbestos-related manufacturers. They were aware of the dangers of asbestos and should be responsible for the medical bills of their victims. Asbestos lawsuits have helped many asbestos victims receive substantial compensation.

Symptoms

Veterans who have been exposed to asbestos have developed many serious diseases. The exposure to asbestos increases the risk of mesothelioma and lung cancer. These illnesses can take 20 to 50 years to develop. Fortunately, many veterans who served on Army bases, Navy shipyards and Air Force bases can receive compensation for asbestos exposure and related health conditions.

Until the 1980s the military was heavily reliant on asbestos-based products. Asbest was employed in the construction and repair of naval ships by Navy shipyards as well as Army bases and Coast Guard yards. Navy sailors were particularly at risk of exposure. Asbestos is often found in ship engines as well as boiler rooms and deck flooring.

Additionally, military personnel working in various other jobs also were exposed to asbestos, such as insulators, pipefitters, plumbers and auto mechanics. Asbestos was often used in building materials such as doors, walls and roofs. The Navy even employed asbestos to make fireproofing.

These hazardous materials could pose a risk to the health of soldiers even when they were off the base or ship. Asbestos fibers can stay in the lung and cause scarring over an extended period of time after inhalation. In time the scarring grew so severe that it led to asbestosis, a lung condition.

Asbestosis, while not cancerous but it can cause other health issues, such as mesothelioma. This disease takes 20 to 50 years to develop following exposure. Mesothelioma is six to nine-times more likely to occur in people with plaques in the pleura. Pleural plaques are a type asbestosis that is not cancerous.

Exposure to asbestos from the outside can cause mesothelioma as well, particularly if a family member was a worker or military personnel who dealt with asbestos-based materials. This is due to asbestos's ability to be carried in the air. Asbestos victims brought dangerous fibers into their homes on their clothing, exposing their family members. Secondhand mesothelioma is typically caused by children, spouses, and the siblings of asbestos workers. In these cases, the surviving spouse or children of mesothelioma victims may be eligible for compensation from the VA for their loved one's asbestos lawyer-related illness.

Treatment

Veterans with mesothelioma have a variety of treatment options that can assist with symptoms, slow progression of mesothelioma, and avoid complications. This includes chemotherapy, surgery, radiation and immunotherapy. Doctors typically recommend a combination treatment based on the type and severity of the asbestos-related illness.

Asbestos was widely used in military bases as well as aircrafts, ships and vehicles. It was added in cement mixes, drywall as well as roofing spackling and spackling to fireproof components and insulate them. In the course of repairs and maintenance, these materials were disturbed and put workers at risk of exposure.

Marine Corps veterans were exposed to asbestos in barracks on naval vessels and during transportation, as well as in their work on aircrafts and vehicles. Asbestos was found in ship insulation, electrical wiring and boiler rooms as well as engine components and fabricated components like brake pads and clutches. Marines who worked on vehicle-based equipment were at a higher risk of asbestos exposure because they regularly interacted with these components.

Asbestos is a pliable and durable material that was used to insulate pipes, valves and boilers. It was also used as a ceiling tile and floor tile. Asbestos's properties for insulation made it a perfect fireproofing material and it was also cheap and easy to make. Asbestos also resists heat, which makes it an ideal material for engine components like engines and turbines.

Asbestos has been linked to a number of illnesses such as mesothelioma. Lung cancer and pleural mesothelioma are the two frequent types of mesothelioma and both are triggered by exposure to asbestos attorney fibers. These cancers can cause malignant tumors to the chest and lungs.

Patients diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease are typically eligible for financial compensation from the asbestos manufacturers responsible for mesothelioma. This money can be used to cover medical expenses and other support services. To be eligible for these funds, victims have to go through an extensive process that includes obtaining medical records and important documents. Many mesothelioma patients have suffered the pain of living with this disease and it is essential that they get legal representation to ensure their rights.

VA Benefits

Veterans who suffer from asbestos-related ailments are entitled to disability benefits and compensation. It isn't easy for veterans to prove their condition is linked to their military service. Many symptoms can be mistakenly interpreted as other ailments, like smoking-induced COPD. Veterans should file an VA claim immediately. A mesothelioma lawyer can help veterans gather evidence to support a successful claim.

Each veteran's asbestos exposure is unique, but certain branches of the military were at greater risk. The exposure of Navy veterans to asbestos attorney was typically the highest due to their work on ships and shipyards. The vessels had asbestos in a variety of places, such as the engine and boiler room, living quarters and aircraft machinery. Air Force veterans also faced the risk of exposure to asbestos, as they often worked with planes and vehicles that contained asbestos.

Asbestos is an element that is found naturally, however it has to be extracted to be employed by the military. If it is not handled in a proper manner tiny asbestos fibers may break up and become airborne. These tiny fibers can get into the lungs, abdomen and cause irritation to the membranes that line the chest and stomach. These fibers can cause the linings of the chest and stomach to scar over time. These tumors, also known as mesothelioma, are among the most dangerous type of asbestos-related cancer.

Other asbestos-related illnesses can include respiratory conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These symptoms could be mistaken for smoking-related COPD. However it is essential that Veterans consult a physician to obtain a proper diagnosis.

The Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, located in Miami, is a center for treatment for many Veterans who suffer from asbestos-related diseases. This center is just located just a few minutes away from the Miami VA Medical Center. The VA might offer financial assistance to Veterans who don't live in the region. This could include housing and travel expenses. Additionally, a lot of mesothelioma doctors offer private practice options for patients that do not want to be treated at the VA facility.