Military Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos is a component used in the construction of Navy ships for pipe insulation, fireproofing and floor tiles. It was also used in boilers, engines for ships, vehicle and aircraft brakes, and clutches.

These veterans may have developed mesothelioma, or other health problems. These veterans include Army, Air Force and Marine Corps personnel.

Navy

Navy veterans faced the most risk of asbestos exposure due to asbestos's widespread use in ships and shipyard buildings. People who were exposed to asbestos included those working in the construction and repair of naval ships and those who were employed in day-today service on vessels.

Asbestos was one of the most popular materials for Asbestos law lawyer Mesothelioma settlement Navy ship construction because it could insulate against fire, heat and water. It was used in the hull of Navy ships, as well as in engine rooms, boilers rooms, and other mechanical areas. It was also used in plumbing fixtures, adhesives, industrial compounds, and cabin insulation.

Because of these uses many Navy veterans developed mesothelioma following working on or within ships. This includes those who were laggers on Navy ships (insulators), mechanics' mates who fixed engines and equipment that contained asbestos-containing packing, as well as damage control workers who are responsible for rescue and firefighting in the event of an hostile attack.

Asbest is also a risk for those who serve in the Coast Guard, as many of the ships used by the military have asbestos. The main reason was the fact that asbestos was a cheap and fireproof material which insulated against heat and cold. It was used in many Navy ships, as well as various military aircrafts, vehicles, and barracks.

Asbestos veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses can apply for compensation from the VA through their disability compensation system. To prove that the illness is due to military service, a detailed account of exposure to asbestos must be provided. This includes when and where the individual was exposed and the specific roles he or was involved in. It must also show that at least half of the exposure to asbestos occurred during military service.

Air Force

Asbestos, which is a mineral of natural origin, has unique properties which make it valuable in military construction projects. It is strong and fire-resistant, insulates from heat, electricity, and chemical corrosion, and is cheap to purchase and use. It was utilized throughout the military from 1940 to the 1990s. This resulted in high rates of exposure to asbestos among veterans in every branch. Air Force veterans who served during this time are particularly at risk for developing an asbestos-related disease like mesothelioma.

The Air Force, like other branches of the military built its bases using asbestos-containing materials. The noxious material was used in pipes and boilers as well as other insulation products, throughout bases. The airmen were exposed to asbestos when they lived in bases or visited them including mess halls, hospitals, and shop areas. Asbestos is an extremely smooth and soft material which means that the dust it generates can easily be smuggled from one place to another. Personnel such as mechanics electricians, and custodians can easily carry asbestos fibers on their clothes and hair from one place to another.

Airmen who worked on aircraft like welders and mechanics, were also at a higher chance of exposure to asbestos. Inhaling the fibers could cause damage to the lungs' tissues and cause mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the lining within the chest cavity and the lungs. It can cause serious symptoms.

Asbestos victims should speak to an experienced mesothelioma lawyer asbestos cancer lawsuit lawyer to discuss their legal options. An attorney can assist the veteran, or their family, in bringing an action against companies that sold harmful products which exposed them to mesothelioma. These lawsuits seek to compensate companies that put profits ahead of safety.

Army

Asbest was most likely used by veterans of the Army who served from World War II to the 1970s. They are at risk of developing aggressive forms of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses late in life.

Soldiers could have been exposed to asbestos in barracks and bases that contained the material. Asbestos was a very popular building product at this time because it was fire resistant and long-lasting. It was also reasonably priced.

The Army used asbestos in a variety products, such as pipe insulation, fireproofing sprays, and flooring materials. These products were used to build and repair various types of equipment and vehicles, including ships, tanks and cars.

Asbestos-related illnesses can take decades to develop, which is why many veterans were diagnosed after their active military service. In times of war, troops who were deployed to combat zones faced additional asbestos exposure dangers. These areas often had structures made of asbestos, which were destroyed or bombed in order to release the harmful fibers into the air. This kind of exposure also occurred at bases in the United States, as well as at ports and other places overseas.

Veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases due to their military service, have the right to file an VA disability claim. The amount of compensation is determined by the severity of the condition and the amount of asbestos exposure that he or she received during their time as a military. The Department of Veterans Affairs will not pay compensation to veterans with mesothelioma even if it was not directly related to their military service. Instead, the agency offers monthly payments to veterans who are eligible based on the standards for disability set by the agency. The money can be used to pay medical bills, living expenses and other expenses related to the illness.

Marines

Marines may have been exposed to asbestos via military ships, vehicles bases, and aircraft. Marine vehicle mechanics and those who worked on transport vehicles such as the M60 Patton Tank, were at the greatest risk of exposure to asbestos. They were frequently exposed to asbestos gaskets, seals and brake pads on vehicles. Asbestos fibers were released into the air as the materials began to degrade. Inhaling the fibers can cause mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.

Navy veterans who served before the 1980s were also at risk of exposure. Asbestos was utilized in Navy ship components, such as incinerators, boilers and engines to protect them from fire and excessive heat. These parts usually had poor ventilation, so asbestos class action lawsuit settlement fibers would circulate through the ship's compartments. As the insulation degraded the fibers would release into the air. Air Force veterans may also be exposed. Asbestos was a component of military aircraft that was found in engine parts, rotors fuel systems, and Asbestos Law lawyer mesothelioma settlement hydraulic systems.

In 1994, the Marine Corps introduced an asbestos safety program that was OSHA compliant. Prior to that, there were hundreds of Marine bases, barracks and mechanical shops where haphazard asbestos removal was conducted. The work was typically performed by untrained teams of men in the enlisted ranks.

Asbestos exposure in the Marines can cause a variety of serious health conditions including mesothelioma and lung cancer as well as asbestosis. Veterans suffering from these ailments are advised to seek out specialized care at a VA Hospital or one of the top mesothelioma treatment facilities. It is important to know that mesothelioma as well as other asbestos-related diseases have long period of latency. This means that symptoms do not typically show up until decades after exposure to asbestos.

Coast Guard

The Coast Guard used asbestos to insulate vessels and to fireproof them. Veterans of the Coast Guard who worked at the Curtis Bay Coast Guard Yard are at a higher risk of being exposed to asbestos. The yard was home to more than 100 asbestos-contaminated shipbuilding and repair buildings, including barracks, a hangar and an engine shop. Asbestos was also discovered in the insulation, piping and other building materials found on many Coast Guard ships. Due to their long-term exposure to asbestos-containing products, these veterans are at a greater risk of developing mesothelioma without asbestos exposure as well as other respiratory illnesses.

Similar to the Navy and Air Force, Coast Guard veterans could have experienced regular exposure to asbestos on ships and in shipyards. They were able to perform search and rescue missions and protected the environment. They also defended U.S. coasts and waterways. It is not surprising given the responsibilities of the branch that asbestos was discovered in Coast Guard ships and military bases.

Coast Guard veterans are eligible for VA benefits to help to pay for medical treatment should they develop an asbestos-related illness. It is essential to recognize mesothelioma early because of its lengthy period of latency.

Army veterans are at high risk of developing mesothelioma due to their frequent exposure to military vehicles, planes and barracks. Asbestos Law Lawyer Mesothelioma Settlement was a key element in military equipment since it was inexpensive and offered fire resistance and insulation properties. In the 1980s, asbestos was prohibited for use in new ways. However asbestos-containing pipe insulation cement sheets, floor tiles and roof tiles were still in a multitude of military areas. This "legacy asbestos" protected the risk for soldiers.

Veterans may be eligible for legal assistance in order to pursue compensation from asbestos manufacturers, regardless of the field of service they served. While financial aid isn't a cure for mesothelioma in veterans, it can provide peace to families struggling.