Asbestos Exposure in the Military

Asbestos used to be a common material in military bases and barracks, as well as vehicles. However it was later discovered that asbestos could have deadly and dangerous health consequences. Veterans from all branches of the military may have been exposed to asbestos and be at risk of developing mesothelioma, among other illnesses.

The Navy veterans are at the highest risk of exposure to asbestos due to the extensive use of asbestos on Navy vessels. Army Veterans who constructed or repaired ships, motor vehicles, as well as those who repaired 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 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 diseases from breathing in asbestos, a deadly mineral. The Boston asbestos lawyers at the Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers have years of experience in helping Army veterans seek VA benefits and compensation for mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses.

The Navy employed asbestos extensively on its ships and submarines during WWII. Navy veterans with multiple MOSs may have been exposed to asbestos in their sleeping quarters, compartments and other areas of the ship as well as in nearby shipyards and construction sites.

Air Force veterans could have also been exposed to asbestos while serving. Asbestos was frequently used in aircrafts, including fuel systems, rotors, and hydraulics. Asbestos is also used in the production of gaskets, thermal insulation and fireproofing.

Navy pipefitters and welders were frequently exposed to asbestos while performing maintenance on Navy vessels. Asbestos-containing lagging was often used on pipes that ran the entire length of the ship. Welders working in the Navy were sometimes required remove this lagging prior making repairs. Navy pipefitters were often working with loose asbestos and gaskets, seals and insulation. William Smith, a Navy pipefitter, was diagnosed with mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure after developing lung cancer.

Metal fabricators and steelworkers in the Navy were often exposed to asbestos while working in a shipyard or at construction sites. Asbestos was utilized for insulation, fireproofing and as an element of welding. Inhaling asbestos fibers poses an extremely dangerous risk for any type of welding job, particularly when it is wet.

Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force veterans who worked on motor vehicles or ships were exposed to asbestos as a part of their duties. Veterans can focus on their treatment for mesothelioma instead of worrying about everyday living expenses. They could also be eligible for mesothelioma compensation from negligent asbestos producers. These companies were aware of asbestos' dangers and are responsible for the medical costs of their victims. Asbestos lawsuits have helped many asbestos victims receive substantial compensation.

Symptoms

Veterans who have been exposed to asbestos have suffered various serious illnesses. Exposure to asbestos increases the risk of mesothelioma and lung cancer. These diseases can develop over a period of between 20 and 50 years. Many veterans who worked on Army bases, Navy shipyards and Air Force bases can be compensated for asbestos exposure and health issues.

Until the 1980s, the military relied heavily on asbestos-based products. Navy shipyards, Coast Guard yards and Army bases all used asbestos to construct and repair naval ships. Navy sailors were at the highest risk of exposure. Asbestos was frequently found in engine rooms, boiler rooms, and the flooring on decks of ships.

Additionally, military workers in various other occupations were also exposed to asbestos, including plumbers, pipefitters and insulators and auto mechanics. Asbestos is often used as a building material for walls as well as roofs, doors, and walls. The Navy even employed asbestos to make fireproofing.

These harmful substances could pose a health risk for soldiers and women, even if they were not on the base or ship. When a person inhaled asbestos fibers, they remained in the lungs for long periods of time and resulted in scarring on the lungs' cells. In time, the scarring became so severe that it caused asbestosis, a lung disease.

Asbestosis isn't a cancer, but it could lead to the development of other health problems including mesothelioma, which takes between 20 and 50 years to develop following exposure. Patients with pleural plaques, which are a non-cancerous form of asbestosis could be six to nine times more likely to develop mesothelioma.

The exposure to asbestos through secondhand sources can also cause mesothelioma. This is especially the case in the case of a family member who worked as a worker or was in the military and was exposed to asbestos-based products. This is because asbestos fibers can be transported through the air. Asbestos victims carried dangerous fibers into their homes on their clothes, exposing family members. Mesothelioma that is secondhand is typically caused by spouses, children, and the siblings of asbestos workers. In these cases, the survivor Asbestos Personal Injury Lawsuit spouse or children of a mesothelioma victim can receive compensation from the va disability rating for asbestos exposure for their loved one's asbestos-related disease.

Treatment

Patients suffering from mesothelioma have many treatments that can help them manage symptoms, slow the progress of the disease, and avoid complications. These include surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy, as well as immunotherapy. Often, doctors will recommend a combination of these treatments, based on the type of asbestos-related disease.

asbestos settlement amounts is a noxious material that was extensively used on military bases and in aircrafts, ships and vehicles. It was used in cement mixes, drywall, spackling, and roofing to fireproof components and insulate them. These materials were damaged in the course of maintenance and repair, putting service members at risk.

Marine Corps veterans were exposed to asbestos in their barracks, on naval vessels, and during transportation, as well when they worked on vehicles and aircraft. Asbestos was found in ship insulation, electrical wiring and boiler rooms and engine components and manufactured components like brake pads and clutches. Marines who worked with vehicle-based equipment were at a high risk of exposure to asbestos because they frequently interacted 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 properties as an insulator as well as its low cost and easy to manufacture, made asbestos an ideal material for fireproofing. Asbestos also withstands heat, which helped make it an ideal option for engine components such as turbines and engines.

Asbestos is linked to many diseases such as mesothelioma. Lung cancer and pleural mesothelioma comprise two common types of the disease, and asbestos personal injury lawsuit both are caused by exposure asbestos to asbestos fibers. These cancers can cause malignant tumors to the chest and lungs.

The asbestos producers responsible for mesothelioma in people diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases might be able pay them a financial average settlement for asbestos exposure. This money can help pay for medical treatment and support services. To qualify for this type of assistance, the victims must undergo a thorough process which includes getting medical records as well as other vital documents. It is essential to seek legal representation for victims of mesothelioma who have suffered the hardships that come with this illness.

VA Benefits

Veterans suffering from asbestos-related conditions are entitled to compensation and disability benefits. It is often difficult for veterans to prove their condition is linked to their military service. This is because many symptoms can be mistaken as other conditions, like smoking-induced COPD. This is why it is important for Veterans to file a VA claim as soon as they can. A mesothelioma lawyer will help veterans gather evidence for an effective claim.

Each veteran's asbestos exposure is different, however certain branches of the military were at greater risk. The exposure of Navy veterans asbestos exposure to asbestos was often the most severe due to their time in shipyards and on ships. The vessels were contaminated with asbestos in a variety of places including boiler and engine rooms, living quarters, and aircraft machinery. Air Force veterans were also at a high risk because they frequently worked with planes and military vehicles that contained asbestos.

Although asbestos is a natural mineral but it is required to be mined and processed to be used in military. If it isn't handled properly tiny asbestos fibers could break up and then become airborne. These tiny fibers can penetrate the lungs, abdomen and cause irritation to the membranes that line the chest and stomach. In time the fibers may cause the linings of the stomach to scar and form tumors. These tumors are known as mesothelioma, and are the most deadly asbestos-related cancer.

Other forms of asbestos-related ailments that may develop include respiratory problems like chronic obstructive respiratory disease (COPD). These symptoms are often mistaken for smoking-induced COPD, but it is essential for Veterans to see a doctor and get a clear diagnosis.

Many Veterans who are diagnosed with an Asbestos Personal Injury Lawsuit-related disease receive treatment at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center in Miami. This center is just only a short distance from the Miami VA Medical Center. For Veterans who are not in the area, the VA could provide financial aid for housing and travel expenses. Many mesothelioma experts offer private practice options to patients who do not wish to be seen in an VA facility.