Asbestos Exposure in the Military
Asbestos was a widely-used material in military barracks, bases and vehicles until it was found to have dangerous and deadly health effects. Veterans from every branch of the military may have been exposed to asbestos and are at risk of developing mesothelioma as well as other diseases.
Navy veterans have the highest chance of exposure, due to asbestos usage on Navy vessels. However, Army Veterans who repaired or built vessels and motor vehicles also had dangers of exposure.
Military Occupational Specialty (MOS)
Asbestos was a favored building material for decades before it was discovered to cause dangerous health effects. Asbestos exposure during the United States military was widespread with a lot of veterans from every branch exposed to asbestos and subsequently developing mesothelioma or other diseases from breathing in the harmful mineral. The Boston asbestos lawyers at Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers have extensive experience in helping Army veterans seek VA benefits and compensation for mesothelioma as well as other asbestos-related diseases.
During WWII, the Navy used asbestos extensively in ships and submarines. Navy veterans with multiple MOSs could 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 is often used in aircraft including fuel systems and rotors. Asbestos was also used to create thermal insulation, fireproofing, gaskets and other gaskets.
Asbestos was regularly used by Navy pipefitters and welding crews. Asbestos-containing lagging was often used on pipes that ran through the entire length of the ship. Welders working in the Navy were sometimes required remove this lagging prior making repairs. Navy pipefitters often worked with asbestos-containing gaskets, seals and insulation. William Smith, a Navy pipefitter, was diagnosed with mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure after he developed lung cancer.
Metal fabricators and steelworkers in the Navy were often exposed to asbestos while working at the shipyard or on construction sites. Asbestos was used as 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 wet.
Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force veterans who worked on ships or motor vehicles were exposed to asbestos as part of their work. Veterans can concentrate on their treatment for mesothelioma, not worrying about everyday living expenses. Veterans could be eligible for compensation for mesothelioma caused by negligent asbestos manufacturers. These companies were aware of asbestos' dangers and should be responsible for the medical costs of their victims. Asbestos lawsuits have helped many asbestos victims receive substantial compensation.
Signs and 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 illnesses can develop over a period of between 20 and 50 years. Many veterans who served on Army bases, Navy shipyards and Air Force bases are eligible for compensation for asbestos exposure and health conditions.
In the 1980s the military relied heavily on asbestos-based products. Asbest was used in the construction and repair of naval ships by Navy shipyards, as well as Army bases and Coast Guard yards. Navy sailors are at a greater risk of being exposed to asbestos. Asbestos was frequently found in engine rooms, boiler rooms and the flooring on decks of ships.
In addition, military personnel in a number of other jobs also were exposed to asbestos, including insulators, pipefitters, plumbers and auto mechanics. Asbestos was frequently employed in building materials, such as doors, walls and roofs. Mission asbestos attorneys used asbestos to create fireproofing.
These hazardous materials could pose a risk to service members' health even when they were away from the ship or at their base. Asbestos particles can remain in the lung and cause scarring over a long time after inhalation. Over time, the scarring became so severe that it led to the lung condition called asbestosis.
Asbestosis, while not cancerous but it can cause other health problems, including mesothelioma. This condition can take anywhere from 20 to 50 years to develop following exposure. Mesothelioma is six to nine-times more likely to develop in those who have pleural plaques. Pleural plaques are a type of asbestosis that isn't cancerous.
Exposure to asbestos from the outside can cause mesothelioma as well, especially if the family member was a worker or military personnel who dealt with asbestos-based materials. This is due to asbestos's ability to be carried through the air. Asbestos victims typically brought these dangerous fibers home with them on their clothing and exposed their family members. Secondhand mesothelioma is typically caused by spouses, children, and siblings of asbestos workers. In these cases, a mesothelioma patient's surviving spouse or child can receive compensation for the asbestos-related disease of their loved one.
Treatment
Patients suffering from mesothelioma have many treatment options to help them manage their symptoms, slow the progress of the disease, and prevent complications. This includes chemotherapy, surgery or radiation therapy, as well as immunotherapy. Most often, doctors suggest a combination of these treatments, based on the type of asbestos-related illness.
Asbestos was used extensively in military bases as well as aircrafts, ships and vehicles. It was used in drywall and cement mixtures, spackling and roofing materials to protect against fire and insulate components. These materials were smashed during repair and maintenance, putting service members at risk.
Marine Corps veterans were exposed to asbestos in barracks, on naval vessels, and during transportation, as well as in their work on aircraft and vehicles. Asbestos was found in ship insulation, electrical wiring, and boiler rooms as well as engine components and fabricated items like brake pads and clutches. Marines who were mechanics on vehicle-based equipment were at a particular high risk of exposure because of their regular interaction with these asbestos-containing parts.
Asbestos is a soft, durable material that was used to insulate valves, pipes and boilers. It was also used for ceiling and floor tile. Its insulating properties, along with its affordability and simple manufacturing made asbestos a great material for fireproofing. Asbestos is also resistant to heat, making it an ideal material for engine parts such as turbines and engines.
Asbestos has been linked to a number of diseases such as mesothelioma. Lung cancer and mesothelioma pleural are two types of diseases that are caused by asbestos fibers. These cancers cause malignant tumors in the chest and lungs.
The asbestos producers who are responsible for the mesothelioma that affects patients with asbestos-related ailments might be able compensate them financially. This money can help provide medical treatment and other support services. To qualify for these funds, victims must undergo a thorough process which includes obtaining medical records and other critical documents. Many mesothelioma victims have faced the challenges of dealing with this illness and it is crucial that they get legal representation to protect their rights.
VA Benefits
Veterans who suffer from asbestos-related ailments have the right to receive disability benefits and compensation. It is often difficult for veterans to prove their condition is linked to their military service. Many symptoms are misinterpreted as other conditions, such as COPD caused by smoking. This is why it is crucial for Veterans to submit an VA claim early as possible. A mesothelioma lawyer can help veterans gather evidence to make an effective claim.
Every veteran's exposure is different, however there were certain branches of the military which were at a greater chance of being exposed to the harmful mineral. Navy veterans were often at the highest risk because of their time on ships and shipyards. These vessels contained asbestos in many places including boiler and engine rooms, living quarters and aircraft machinery. Air Force veterans were also at a high risk because they often worked with military vehicles and planes which contained asbestos.
Although asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally however, it has to be mined and processed to be used in the military. When asbestos is not properly handled, it could break up and become airborne. These tiny fibers can penetrate the lungs, abdomen, and cause irritation to the membranes that line chest and stomach. These fibers can cause the tissues of the stomach and chest to become scarred over time. These tumors, also known as mesothelioma, are among the most dangerous type of asbestos-related cancer.
Other asbestos-related diseases that may develop include respiratory problems like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These symptoms are often confused with 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 disease receive treatment at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center in Miami. This facility is a short drive from the Miami VA Medical Center. For Veterans who do not live in the region, the VA can provide financial assistance for travel and housing expenses. Many mesothelioma experts offer private practice options to patients who don't want to visit a VA facility.
