Asbestos Exposure in the Military

Asbestos was a widely-used material in military barracks, bases and vehicles until it was found to cause deadly and dangerous health consequences. Veterans from all branches of the military may have been exposed to asbestos and be at the risk of developing mesothelioma and other diseases.

Navy veterans have the highest risk of exposure due to asbestos usage on Navy vessels. However, Army Veterans who repaired or built vessels and motor vehicles also had risks of exposure.

Military Occupational Specialty

Asbestos was a popular building material for decades before its detrimental 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 or other diseases from breathing in the harmful mineral. The Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers, Boston asbestos lawyers, have extensive experience in helping Army veterans receive VA benefits and compensation related to mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.

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

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

Navy pipefitters and welders were regularly exposed to asbestos while doing maintenance on Navy vessels. On pipes that run across the length of a vessel asbestos-containing lagging was often used. Navy welders were often required to remove this lagging prior to making repairs. Navy pipefitters were often working with asbestos-containing insulation, gaskets, and seals. One Navy pipefitter named William Smith developed mesothelioma after developing lung cancer from his asbestos exposure.

Metal fabricators and steelworkers working in the Navy were often exposed to asbestos when working in a shipyard or construction sites. Asbestos was utilized for insulation, fireproofing and also as an element of welding. Inhaling asbestos fibres is an extremely dangerous health risk for any welding job particularly when it's damp.

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 focus on the treatment they receive for mesothelioma, not worrying about their daily expenses. Veterans may also be eligible to receive mesothelioma compensation due to negligent asbestos producers. They were aware of the risks associated with asbestos and should be held responsible for their victims' medical bills. Asbestos lawsuits have helped many Asbestos Exposure Lawsuit Settlements victims receive substantial compensation.

Signs and symptoms

Veterans who have been exposed to asbestos have suffered various serious diseases. Exposure to the toxic mineral puts people at risk of developing mesothelioma and Asbestos exposure lawsuit settlements asbestosis and lung cancer. These illnesses can take 20 to 50 years to develop. Many veterans who served in Army bases, Navy Shipyards, and Air Force Bases can receive compensation for asbestos exposure and health issues.

The military relied heavily upon asbestos-based products up until the 1980s. Navy shipyards, Coast Guard yards and Army bases all utilized asbestos to build and repair naval ships. Navy sailors are at a higher risk of being exposed to asbestos. Asbestos was commonly found in boiler rooms, and the deck flooring on ships.

Asbestos was also found in the workplaces of military workers who worked in other positions such as insulators or pipefitters. Asbestos is frequently used as a building material to construct walls, roofs, and doors. The Navy employed asbestos to create fireproofing.

These dangerous materials could pose a risk to the health of soldiers even when they were off the base or ship. Asbestos particles can remain in the lung and cause scarring over a long time after inhalation. In time, the scarring became so severe that it led to the lung condition called asbestosis.

Asbestosis isn't a cancer, but it could result in the development of other health problems including mesothelioma which can take between 20 and 50 years to develop after exposure. Mesothelioma can be six to nine times more likely to develop in those who have pleural plaques. Pleural plaques are a form of asbestosis that isn't cancerous.

Exposure to asbestos from the outside can cause mesothelioma too. This is especially the case if a family member worked as a worker or in the military and was exposed to asbestos-based products. This is because asbestos can be carried in the air. Asbestos-related victims brought harmful fibers into their homes on their clothing, exposing their family members. Secondhand mesothelioma is usually caused by spouses, children, and siblings of asbestos workers. In these cases, the surviving spouse or children of a mesothelioma patient can receive compensation from the VA for their loved one's asbestos-related disease.

Treatment

Veterans with mesothelioma have a variety of treatment options that could aid in reducing symptoms, reduce the progression of mesothelioma, and avoid complications. These include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, as well as immunotherapy. Often, doctors will suggest a combination of these treatments, depending on the type of asbestos-related illness.

Asbestos is a toxic substance that was widely used in military bases as well as in aircrafts, ships and vehicles. It was added in drywall, cement mixes, spackling, and roofing to make fireproof components and to insulate them. These materials were disturbed during repair and maintenance and put service workers at risk.

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

Asbestos is a pliable, tough 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 an ideal material for fireproofing. Asbestos is also resistant heat, which makes it a popular material for engine parts like engines and turbines.

Asbestos is associated with a variety of illnesses such as mesothelioma. Lung cancer and mesothelioma pleural are two types of disease caused by asbestos fibers. These cancers affect the lungs as well as the chest wall, causing malignant tumors to grow.

The asbestos producers responsible for mesothelioma in patients with asbestos-related ailments may be able to pay them a financial settlement. The money is used to pay for medical care and other support services. To be eligible for these funds, patients must go through an exhaustive process that includes getting medical records and other important documents. It is crucial to obtain legal representation for those suffering from mesothelioma who have suffered the hardships associated with this disease.

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 their condition is connected to their military service. Many symptoms can be confused with other conditions, such as COPD caused by smoking. Because of this, it is important for Veterans to make a VA claim early as possible. A qualified mesothelioma attorney can assist veterans with gathering the evidence needed to file an effective claim.

Each veteran's asbestos exposure is unique, but certain branches of the military were at higher risk. The exposure of veterans from the Navy to asbestos was often the most severe due to their time spent in shipyards and on ships. These vessels had asbestos in a variety of places including boiler and engine rooms, living quarters and aircraft machinery. Air Force veterans also faced the risk of exposure to asbestos when they were in contact with vehicles and planes that were contaminated with asbestos.

Asbestos is an element that is found naturally, however it must be mined to be utilized by the military. When asbestos is not handled correctly, it can break down and become airborne. When inhaled, these microscopic fibers can enter the lungs and abdomen and cause irritation to the membranes that are found in the stomach and chest. As time passes, these fibers can cause the linings to scar and grow into tumors. These tumors, also known as mesothelioma, are among the most dangerous form of asbestos-related cancer.

Other asbestos-related diseases that can develop include respiratory issues like chronic obstructive respiratory disease (COPD). These symptoms are often mistaken for smoking-related COPD however it is crucial for Veterans to see 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. This center is few minutes away from the Miami VA Medical Center. The VA could provide financial assistance to Veterans who do not reside in the area. This can include the cost of travel and accommodation. Many mesothelioma experts offer private practice options to patients who do not want to visit an VA facility.