Asbestos Exposure in the Military
Asbestos used to be a common material in military barracks and bases and also in vehicles. However it was later discovered that asbestos can have deadly and dangerous health effects. Veterans from all branches of the military could have been exposed to asbestos and be at risk of developing mesothelioma among other ailments.
Navy veterans face the highest likelihood of exposure, due to the extensive asbestos use 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 material for building materials for decades before its detrimental health effects were discovered. Asbestos was used extensively in the United States Military. Many veterans from all branches were exposed asbestos, and a lot of them developed mesothelioma and other illnesses after inhaling the deadly mineral. The Boston asbestos lawyers at Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers have extensive experience helping Army veterans pursue VA benefits and compensation for mesothelioma as well as other asbestos-related illnesses.
The Navy employed asbestos extensively on ships and submarines during WWII. Navy veterans with numerous 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 is commonly used in aircraft, such as rotors and fuel systems. Asbestos was also used to create thermal insulation, fireproofing and gaskets.
Asbestos was regularly found in the work of Navy pipefitters and welding crews. Lagging that contained asbestos was frequently used on pipes that ran through the entire length of a ship. Welders in the Navy were sometimes required remove this lagging before making repairs. Navy pipefitters were often working with asbestos-containing gaskets, seals, and insulation. William Smith, a Navy pipefitter, developed mesothelioma from asbestos exposure after he developed lung cancer.
Steelworkers and metal fabricators in the Navy were frequently exposed to asbestos while working at the shipyard or on construction sites. Asbestos is used as an insulation material, a fireproofing substance and as a welding material. Inhaling asbestos fibers is very dangerous for any welding work, especially 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 job. Veterans can concentrate on their treatment for mesothelioma, not worrying about their daily expenses. Veterans could also be eligible for mesothelioma damages from negligent asbestos manufacturers. They were aware of asbestos's dangers and should be accountable for the medical expenses of their victims. Asbestos lawsuits have helped many asbestos victims receive substantial compensation.
Symptoms
Veterans who have been exposed to asbestos have suffered many serious illnesses. Exposure to the toxic mineral exposes a person to risk of developing mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer. These diseases may develop over a period of between 20 and 50 years. Fortunately, many veterans who worked on Army bases, Navy shipyards and Air Force bases are eligible for compensation for asbestos exposure and health conditions.
Until the 1980s the military was heavily reliant on asbestos-based products. 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 asbestos exposure. Asbestos is often found in ship engines boiler rooms, decks and flooring.
Asbestos was also found in the workplaces of military personnel who worked in other positions, such as insulators and pipefitters. Asbestos was frequently used in building materials such as doors, walls, and roofs. The Navy employed asbestos to create fireproofing.
These hazardous substances could pose a risk to the health of soldiers even if they were not on the base or ship. If a person breathed asbestos fibers, they remained in the lungs for prolonged periods of time and caused scarring to the lung's cells. As time passed the scarring of the lungs became so severe that asbestosis was caused.
Asbestosis does not cause cancer, but it can cause other health problems including mesothelioma, which takes between 20 and 50 years to develop following exposure. Mesothelioma is between six and nine times more likely to occur in people with plaques in the pleura. Pleural plaques are a form of asbestosis that is not cancerous.
The exposure to asbestos through secondhand sources can also cause mesothelioma. This is particularly true in the case of a family member who worked as a worker or was in the military and handled asbestos-based products. This is because asbestos can be carried through the air. Asbestos victims typically brought these harmful fibers home on their clothing and exposed their loved ones to asbestos. Secondhand mesothelioma cases usually involve spouses, children and siblings of those who were exposed to asbestos while at work. In these cases, the surviving spouse or children of a mesothelioma victim can receive compensation from the VA for their loved one's asbestos-related illness.
Treatment
Veterans with mesothelioma have a variety of treatment options that can help with symptoms, reduce the progression of mesothelioma, and avoid complications. These include radiotherapy, surgery chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. Doctors will often recommend a combination treatment depending on the type and severity of asbestos-related disease.
Asbestos is a poisonous material that was widely employed on military bases as well as in aircrafts, ships and vehicles. It was incorporated into drywall and cement mixtures, spacklings and roofing to insulate and protect components. These materials were damaged in the course of maintenance and repair and put service workers at risk.
Marine Corps veterans were exposed asbestos in their barracks and on naval vessels during transportation as well as when they worked on vehicles and aircrafts. Asbestos was found in ship insulation, electrical wiring, and boiler rooms as well as engine components and manufactured items like brake pads and clutches. Marines who employed as mechanics on vehicles-based equipment were at a particular high risk of exposure due to their regular interaction with these asbestos-containing parts.
Asbestos is a soft and durable material that was used to insulate valves, pipes and boilers. It was also used as a ceiling and floor tile. The properties of insulation as well as its low cost and simple manufacturing, made asbestos an ideal material for fireproofing. Asbestos is also resistant to heat, which makes it a popular material for engine parts like engines and turbines.
Asbestos has been linked with numerous illnesses, including mesothelioma. Lung cancer and pleural mesothelioma are the two frequent types of mesothelioma, and both are caused by exposure to asbestos fibers. These cancers cause malignant tumors in the lungs and chest wall.
People who are diagnosed with an asbestos-related condition are typically entitled to financial compensation from asbestos manufacturers who are responsible for mesothelioma. The money is used to pay for medical care and other support services. To be eligible for these funds, patients must undergo a rigorous process that involves obtaining medical records and important documents. Many mesothelioma patients have faced the challenges of living with this disease, and it is important to have legal representation to safeguard their rights.
VA Benefits
Veterans suffering from asbestos-related ailments have the right to receive disability benefits and compensation. However, it is difficult to prove that their condition is due to their military service. Many symptoms can be confused with other conditions, such as smoking-induced COPD. Because of this, it is essential for Veterans to make a VA claim as soon as they can. A mesothelioma lawyer can help veterans gather evidence for an effective claim.
Each veteran's exposure to asbestos is different, however there are specific branches of the military which were at a greater risk of being exposed to the toxic mineral. Navy veterans were typically at the highest risk because asbestosis settlement amounts of their work aboard ships and shipyards. The vessels contained asbestos in many places, such as the engine and boiler room as well as living quarters and aircraft machinery. Air Force veterans also faced a high level of risk when they worked with aircrafts and vehicles which contained asbestos.
Asbestos is an element that occurs naturally, but it has to be extracted to be employed by the military. If asbestos isn't treated properly, it may break down and then become airborne. These microscopic fibres can enter the lungs, abdomen, and cause irritation of 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, referred to as mesothelioma are the most dangerous type of asbestos-related cancer.
Other asbestos-related illnesses can include respiratory conditions like chronic obstructive respiratory disease (COPD). These symptoms are often confused with smoking-induced COPD however it is crucial for Veterans to see a doctor to receive a proper diagnosis.
The Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, located in Miami is a center for treatment for a variety of Veterans diagnosed with asbestos-related illnesses. The Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center is situated just a short distance from the Miami VA Medical Center. The VA may offer financial assistance to Veterans who do not reside in the area. This includes travel and housing costs. In addition, many mesothelioma specialists provide private treatment options for patients who don't want to visit a VA facility.