Asbestos is a naturally occurring substance that was heavily used by all branches of the US Military from the 1930s until the 1970s. It is composed of microscopic fibers that are extremely durable. The nearly indestructible fibers make it an excellent flame retardant and fire proofing material. It also is a great insulator.
Asbestos is Deadly
However, the properties that made asbestos so useful to the military also made it a deadly health risk for the millions of service men and women that served their country during those years. That’s because asbestos’s microscopic fibers can be inhaled or swallowed. Once the fibers enter the body, they can lodge in the mesothelial lining of the lungs, chest or stomach and, decades later, cause an aggressive and terminal asbestos cancer called mesothelioma.
Asbestos in Over 300 Products
Asbestos exposure is the predominant and overwhelming cause of mesothelioma. Anyone that has been exposed to asbestos is at risk, but common mesothelioma victims were people who worked with or around asbestos products for a prolonged period of time.
Veterans fall into this group because asbestos was used in over 300 products service men and women came in contact with in places such as but not limited to:
- Ships (boiler rooms, engine rooms, navigation rooms)
- Aircraft
- Automobilesv
- Tanks
- Sleeping quarters
- Barracks
- Shipyards
- Nearly everywhere fireproofing or insulation was used
Financial Help for Veterans
Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma from asbestos exposure are prevented by law from suing the military or federal government. However, veterans who can prove that the asbestos exposure that occurred during their time in the service was "more likely than not" to have caused their mesothelioma may be able to receive health care benefits for their treatment from the Veterans Administration. Because the exposure typically happened decades ago, proving this may be difficult.
There have been legal precedents such as veterans that have sued the manufacturers of asbestos products for financial compensation to cover medical bills, loss of income, and other losses.
Knowing if you are eligible for financial compensation or healthcare, and whom to seek it from can be tough without the help of an experienced mesothelioma lawyer. These lawyers have extensive knowledge of the laws that may apply to your situation and can help you pinpoint the cause of your exposure.
If you or a loved one were exposed to asbestos in the military and have developed mesothelioma, contact us to speak to a mesothelioma trial attorney to learn more about your rights and the options available to you.