Asbestos Exposure in the Military

Asbestos was once an everyday material in military barracks and bases and also in vehicles. However, it was later discovered that asbestos can cause deadly and harmful health consequences. Veterans in every branch of the military may have been exposed to asbestos and are at risk for developing mesothelioma as well as other diseases.

Navy veterans have the highest risk of exposure, due to the asbestos attorneys usage on Navy vessels. Army Veterans who constructed or repaired ships, motor vehicles, as well as those who repair them, are also at risk.

Military Occupational Specialty (MOS)

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

During WWII the Navy used asbestos extensively in both ships and submarines. Asbestos was likely to have been present in the compartments, sleeping quarters, and other areas aboard as well as in nearby shipyards, construction sites, and shipyards.

Air Force veterans may also have been exposed to asbestos lawsuit during their service. Asbestos is often used in aircraft including fuel systems and rotors. Asbestos is also used in the production of thermal insulation, gaskets and fireproofing.

Navy pipefitters and welders were often exposed to asbestos while performing maintenance on Navy ships. On pipes that run across the length of vessels asbestos-containing lagging was often employed. Welders in the Navy were sometimes required remove this lagging before making repairs. Navy pipefitters frequently worked with asbestos-containing gaskets, seals, and insulation. One Navy pipefitter named William Smith developed mesothelioma after having lung cancer as a result of his asbestos exposure.

Metal fabricators and steelworkers working in the Navy were frequently exposed to asbestos while working in a shipyard or construction sites. Asbestos was used as insulation, fireproofing, and as a welding material. Inhaling asbestos fibers poses very dangerous for health in any type welding work, particularly when it's wet.

Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force veterans who worked on ships or motor vehicles were exposed to asbestos as a part of their work. Veterans can concentrate on the treatment they receive for mesothelioma instead of worrying about their daily expenses. They could be eligible for compensation for mesothelioma resulting from negligent asbestos producers. These companies were aware of asbestos' dangers and should be accountable for the medical bills of their victims. Asbestos lawsuits have helped many asbestos victims receive substantial compensation.

Signs and symptoms

Veterans who have been exposed to asbestos have developed a wide range of serious diseases. Exposure to the toxic mineral puts people at risk of developing mesothelioma and lung cancer and asbestosis. These illnesses can develop over a time of between 20 and 50 years. Many veterans who served in Army bases, Navy Shipyards, and Air Force Bases can receive compensation for asbestos exposure and health conditions.

In the 1980s the military relied heavily on asbestos lawyer-based products. Navy shipyards, Coast Guard yards and Army bases all relied on asbestos to construct and repair naval ships. Navy sailors were especially at risk of exposure. Asbestos was often found in boiler rooms, and the deck flooring on ships.

Asbestos was also found in the workplaces of military personnel who were employed in other fields, such as insulators and pipefitters. Asbestos was often used in building materials such as doors, walls, and roofs. The Navy even used asbestos to create fireproofing.

These dangerous materials pose a health risk to servicemen and women even when they were not on the ship or base. Asbestos particles can remain in the lung and cause scarring for many years after inhalation. Over time the scarring of the lungs became so severe that asbestosis was caused.

Asbestosis does not cause cancer, but it could cause other health issues, including mesothelioma which can take between 20 and 50 years to develop after exposure. People who have Pleural plaques, which are a non-cancerous type of asbestosis could be six to nine times more likely to develop mesothelioma.

Secondhand exposure to asbestos may cause mesothelioma as well. This is particularly true when a family member was employed as a worker or was in the military and was exposed to asbestos-based products. This is due to the fact that asbestos fibers can be carried in the air. Asbestos victims brought dangerous asbestos fibers into their homes through their clothing, exposing their family members. Secondhand mesothelioma is usually caused by children, spouses and the siblings of asbestos workers. In these cases, the survivors of the spouse or children of mesothelioma victims may be eligible for compensation from the VA for the asbestos-related illness of their loved ones.

Treatment

Veterans with mesothelioma have a variety of treatment options that could help with symptoms, slow progression of mesothelioma and prevent complications. These include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and immunotherapy. Often, doctors will recommend a combination of these treatments, based on the type of asbestos-related disease.

Asbestos was widely used in military bases and ships, aircrafts and even vehicles. It was incorporated into drywall, cement mixtures, spackling, and roofing to insulate and protect components. In the course of repairs and maintenance these materials were damaged and put workers at risk of exposure.

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

Asbestos is a flexible and durable material that was used to insulate pipes, valves and boilers. It was also used as a ceiling and floor tile. The properties of insulation, along with its affordability and simple manufacturing made asbestos a perfect material for fireproofing. Asbestos also has a resistance to heat, which made it an extremely popular choice for engine components like turbines and engines.

Asbestos is linked to many illnesses which include mesothelioma. Lung cancer and pleural mesothelioma comprise two most common forms of the disease, and both are caused by prolonged exposure to asbestos fibers. These cancers cause malignant tumors in the lungs and chest wall.

Those diagnosed with an asbestos lawsuit-related disease are usually eligible for financial compensation from the asbestos producers responsible for their mesothelioma. This money can help provide medical treatment and support services. To be eligible for this money, the victims have to go through an extensive process that includes the collection of medical records and other important documents. Many mesothelioma victims have faced the challenges of dealing with this illness and it is crucial to have legal representation to protect their rights.

VA Benefits

Veterans suffering from asbestos-related ailments are entitled to compensation and disability benefits. It is often difficult for veterans to prove that their condition is connected to their military service. This is because many symptoms can be mistaken for other ailments, such as smoking-related COPD. Veterans should submit a VA claim immediately. A mesothelioma lawyer can assist veterans gather evidence to make an effective claim.

Every veteran's exposure is different, however there were certain branches of the military that were at a higher risk of being exposed to the toxic mineral. Navy veterans were typically at the highest risk because of their work aboard ships and shipyards. These vessels contained asbestos in a variety of places such as boiler and engine rooms, living quarters and aircraft machinery. Air Force veterans were also at a high risk because they often worked with military vehicles and planes that were contaminated with asbestos.

Although asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral but it is required to be extracted and processed in order to be used in the military. If asbestos isn't properly handled, it could break down and then become airborne. These tiny fibers can penetrate the lungs, abdomen and cause irritation to the membranes that line the chest and stomach. These fibers can cause the tissues of the chest and stomach to become scarred over time. These tumors are referred to as mesothelioma, and are the most dangerous asbestos-related cancer.

Other asbestos-related diseases can include respiratory problems such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These symptoms could be confused with smoking-related COPD. However, it is important that Veterans visit a doctor to obtain a proper diagnosis.

Many Veterans who are diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease receive treatment at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center in Miami. This center is few minutes away from the Miami VA Medical Center. The VA could provide financial assistance to Veterans who aren't residents of the region. This includes travel and housing costs. Additionally, many mesothelioma specialists provide private practice options for patients that are not able to be seen at an VA facility.