Asbestos Exposure in the Military

Asbestos used to be a common material in military barracks and bases and vehicles. However it was later discovered that class action lawsuit asbestos exposure could have deadly and dangerous health consequences. Veterans from all branches of the military could have been exposed to asbestos and be at the risk of developing mesothelioma and other diseases.

Navy veterans have the highest chance of exposure, due to asbestos-based construction materials used extensively on Navy vessels. Army Veterans who built or repaired vessels and motor vehicles, and those who repair them, are also at risk.

Military Occupational Specialty (MOS)

Asbestos had been a popular material for building materials for decades before its harmful health effects were discovered. Asbestos exposure during the United States military was widespread with a lot of veterans from all branches being exposed to asbestos and developing mesothelioma and other illnesses from inhaling asbestos, a dangerous mineral. The Boston asbestos lawyers at Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers have extensive experience helping Army veterans obtain VA benefits and compensation for mesothelioma as well as other asbestos-related diseases.

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

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

Asbestos was often found in the work of Navy pipefitters and welding crews. On pipes that ran across the length of a vessel, asbestos-containing lagging is often used. Welders working in the Navy were often required to remove this lagging before making repairs. Navy pipefitters were often working with asbestos-containing gaskets, seals, and insulation. One Navy pipefitter named William Smith developed mesothelioma after suffering from lung cancer due to his asbestos exposure.

Asbestos was a frequent exposure for metal fabricators and steelworkers in the Navy when working in a shipyard or construction site. Asbestos is used as an insulation material, a fireproofing material and a welding materials. Inhaling asbestos fibres is an extremely dangerous health risk for any type of welding especially when it's damp.

Asbestos was a frequent substance in the work of veterans of the Army, Marine Corps Navy, and Air Force who worked on vessels or motor vehicles. VA benefits like disability compensation can help these veterans focus on their mesothelioma treatment instead of worrying about how to pay for their daily living expenses. Veterans could be entitled to compensation for mesothelioma from negligent asbestos-related manufacturers. These companies were aware of asbestos' dangers and poison should be responsible for the medical costs of their victims. Asbestos lawsuits have helped many asbestos victims receive substantial compensation.

Symptoms

Many veterans exposed to asbestos have suffered from a range of serious illnesses. Exposure to asbestos increases the chance of developing mesothelioma as well as lung cancer. These diseases can take anywhere from 20 to 50 years to develop. Fortunately, many veterans who served on Army bases, Navy shipyards and Air Force bases can be compensated attorneys for asbestos exposure asbestos exposure and health conditions.

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

Additionally, military personnel working in a number of other occupations were also exposed to asbestos, for example plumbers, pipefitters, insulators and auto mechanics. Asbestos was commonly employed in building materials, such as doors, walls and roofs. The Navy even used asbestos to create fireproofing.

These dangerous materials posed a health threat to military personnel and women even when they were not on the ship or base. When a person inhaled asbestos fibers, they remained in the lungs for prolonged periods of time and resulted in scarring on the cells of the lungs. Over time, the scarring became so severe that it led to the lung condition called asbestosis.

Asbestosis, though not cancerous, can lead to other health issues, such as mesothelioma. This disease takes 20 to 50 years to develop following exposure. Mesothelioma is between six and nine times more likely to occur in people who have plaques in the pleura. Pleural plaques are a form of asbestosis that isn't cancerous.

The exposure to asbestos through secondhand contact can also cause mesothelioma, particularly if a family member was a laborer or military personnel who worked with asbestos-based products. This is because asbestos can be carried through the air. Asbestos victims brought dangerous fibers into their homes on their clothing, which exposed family members. Secondhand mesothelioma cases typically involve spouses, children and siblings of those who were exposed to asbestos in their work. In these cases, the surviving spouse or children of a mesothelioma victim are eligible to receive compensation from the VA for their loved one's asbestos-related disease.

Treatment

Patients suffering from mesothelioma have many treatments that can help them combat symptoms, slow down the progress of the disease, and avoid complications. These include radiotherapy, surgery chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. Doctors often suggest a combination of treatments based on the severity and type of asbestos-related disease.

Asbestos was extensively used in military bases, ships, aircrafts and vehicles. It was found in drywall, cement mixes roofing, spackling, and spackling to fireproof components and insulate them. These materials were smashed in the course of maintenance and repair, putting service members at risk.

Marine Corps veterans were exposed asbestos in barracks and on naval vessels during transportation and during their work on vehicles and aircrafts. Asbestos was found in ship insulation, electrical wiring and boiler rooms, as well as engine components as well as fabricated items like brake pads and clutches. Marines who were mechanics on vehicle-based equipment faced a particularly high risk of exposure due to their frequent contact with asbestos-containing components.

Because asbestos is a flexible and durable material, it was also used for insulating boilers, pipes, valves, cables flooring tiles and ceilings. Its insulating properties and its affordability and easy to manufacture made asbestos a perfect material for fireproofing. Asbestos also resists heat, making it an ideal material for engine components such as turbines and engines.

Asbestos has been linked to many diseases such as mesothelioma. Lung cancer and pleural mesothelioma comprise two most common forms of the disease, and both are caused by exposure to asbestos in the military to asbestos fibers. These cancers cause malignant tumors in the lungs and chest wall.

The asbestos producers responsible for mesothelioma in those diagnosed with asbestos-related conditions may be able to pay them a financial settlement. This money can be used to pay for medical treatment and other support services. To be eligible for this money, the victims must go through an exhaustive process that includes the collection of medical records and other important documents. Many victims of mesothelioma have experienced the hardships of dealing with this illness and it is crucial to have legal representation to safeguard their rights.

VA Benefits

Veterans who suffer from an asbestos-related condition have the right to disability benefits and compensation. It isn't easy for veterans to prove that their condition is linked to their military service. This is because many symptoms are mistaken for other conditions, like smoking-induced COPD. For this reason, it is crucial for Veterans to make an VA claim as soon as they can. A mesothelioma lawyer will help veterans gather evidence to support an effective claim.

Every veteran's asbestos exposure is unique, but certain branches of the military were at higher risk. Navy veterans were frequently most at risk because of their work aboard ships and shipyards. These vessels had asbestos in numerous places such as boiler and engine rooms, living quarters and aircraft machinery. Air Force veterans also faced a high level of risk because they frequently were in contact with vehicles and planes that were contaminated with asbestos.

Asbestos is a natural mineral that is found naturally, however it has to be extracted to be utilized by the military. If it is not handled in a proper manner tiny asbestos fibers could break apart and become airborne. When inhaled, these tiny fibers get into the lungs and abdomen and cause irritation to the membranes that line the chest and stomach. These fibers can cause the tissues of the stomach and chest to become scarred over time. These tumors are known as mesothelioma and poison are the most deadly asbestos-related cancer.

Other types of asbestos law lawyer mesothelioma settlement-related illnesses that could develop include respiratory issues like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These symptoms are often mistaken for smoking-related COPD however, it is important for Veterans to consult a doctor and get a clear diagnosis.

Many Veterans who are diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness receive treatment at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center in Miami. The facility is just located just a few minutes away from the Miami VA Medical Center. The VA may offer financial assistance to Veterans who do not reside in the region. This can include the cost of travel and accommodation. Many mesothelioma specialists provide private practice options to patients who do not want to be seen in the VA facility.