Asbestos Exposure in the Military

Asbestos was a common 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 could have been exposed to asbestos and are at risk of developing mesothelioma and other diseases.

Navy veterans have the highest chance of exposure due to extensive asbestos use on Navy vessels. Army Veterans who built or repaired vessels and motor vehicles, as well as those who repaired them, are also at risk.

Military Occupational Specialty

Asbestos was a well-known material for building materials for decades before its detrimental health effects were discovered. Asbestos exposure in the United States military was widespread and many veterans from every branch being exposed to asbestos and subsequently developing mesothelioma or other diseases from breathing in asbestos, a dangerous mineral. 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 attorney 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 while serving. Asbestos is a common component in aircraft, including fuel systems and rotors. Asbestos was also used to create thermal insulation, fireproofing, gaskets and other gaskets.

Asbestos was regularly found in the work of Navy pipefitters and welding crews. On pipes that run across the length of vessels, asbestos-containing lagging is often employed. Welders working in the Navy were sometimes required remove this lagging before making repairs. Navy pipefitters often worked with loose asbestos and asbestos-containing gaskets, seals, and insulation. One Navy pipefitter named William Smith developed mesothelioma after suffering from lung cancer due to his exposure to asbestos.

Asbestos was a common exposure for metal fabricators as well as steelworkers in the Navy while working on a shipyard or construction site. Asbestos is used as an insulation material, a fireproofing substance and a welding materials. Inhaling asbestos fibers poses a serious health risk for any type of welding particularly when it's wet.

Asbestos was a typical substance used by veterans from the Army, Marine Corps Navy and Air Force who worked on vessels or motor vehicles. VA benefits such as disability compensation can allow these veterans to focus on their mesothelioma treatment instead of worrying about paying for everyday living expenses. Veterans could also be eligible for mesothelioma compensation from negligent asbestos manufacturers. They were aware of the dangers associated with asbestos and should be held responsible for their victims' medical bills. Asbestos Lawsuits - Funsilo.Date, have helped many asbestos victims receive substantial compensation.

Signs and symptoms

Veterans who have been exposed to asbestos have developed many serious illnesses. Exposure to the toxic mineral puts a person at risk of developing mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer. These diseases can develop over a period of between 20 and 50 years. Many veterans who served on Army bases, Navy shipyards and Air Force bases can receive compensation for their asbestos exposure and the resulting health conditions.

In the 1980s, the military relied heavily on asbestos-based products. Asbest was employed in the construction and repair of naval vessels by Navy shipyards as well as Army bases and Coast Guard yards. Navy sailors were particularly at risk of exposure. Asbestos is commonly found in ship engine rooms boiler rooms, decks and flooring.

Additionally, military workers in various other jobs also were exposed to asbestos attorney, for example plumbers, pipefitters and insulators and auto mechanics. Asbestos is frequently used as a building material to construct walls as well as roofs, doors, and walls. The Navy used asbestos lawyers to make fireproofing.

These dangerous materials pose a health risk to soldiers and women, even if they were not on the ship or base. Asbestos fibers can stay in the lungs and cause scarring for many years after inhalation. As time passed, the scarring became so severe that it triggered asbestosis, a lung disease.

Asbestosis does not cause cancer, but it can cause other health problems including mesothelioma that takes between 20 and 50 years to develop following exposure. Mesothelioma is six to nine-times more likely to develop in those with pleural plaques. Pleural plaques are a type of asbestosis that isn't cancerous.

Exposure to asbestos from the outside can also trigger mesothelioma especially if the family member was a laborer or military personnel who handled asbestos-based products. This is because asbestos fibers can travel in the air. Asbestos-related victims brought harmful fibers into their homes, settling on their clothing, exposing their family members. Secondhand mesothelioma is usually caused by spouses, children, and the siblings of asbestos workers. In these instances the mesothelioma patient's survivor spouse or child can be awarded compensation for the illness caused by asbestos of their loved one.

Treatment

Patients suffering from mesothelioma have many treatment options to help manage symptoms, slow the progress of the disease, and prevent complications. These include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Doctors will often recommend a combination treatment depending on the type and severity of the asbestos-related illness.

Asbestos was used extensively in military bases, ships, aircrafts and vehicles. It was used in cement mixes, drywall, spackling, and roofing to protect against fire and insulate them. In the course of repairs and maintenance these materials were damaged, which put service members at risk of exposure.

Marine Corps veterans were exposed to asbestos in barracks, on naval vessels and during transportation, as well when they worked on aircrafts and vehicles. Asbestos was used into the insulation of ships, boiler rooms and electrical wiring and engine parts and manufactured items such as brake pads and clutches. Marines who worked on vehicles-related equipment were at a high risk of exposure to asbestos because 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 for ceiling and floor tile. Its insulating properties as well as its low cost and easy to manufacture made asbestos a perfect material for fireproofing. Asbestos is also resistant to heat, which makes it a popular material for engine components like engines and turbines.

Asbestos has been linked with various diseases, including mesothelioma. Lung cancer and pleural mesothelioma are two most common forms of the disease, and both are caused by prolonged exposure to asbestos fibers. These cancers affect the lungs and chest wall which causes malignant tumors grow.

The asbestos producers who are responsible for the mesothelioma of people diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases may be able to compensate them financially. The money will help provide medical treatment and other support services. To be eligible for these funds, patients must go through a thorough procedure that includes getting medical records and other important documents. It is important to get legal representation for patients of mesothelioma who have suffered the hardships that come with this disease.

VA Benefits

Veterans suffering from asbestos-related ailments are entitled to disability benefits and compensation. It is often difficult for veterans to prove their condition is connected to their military service. This is because many symptoms are mistaken for other ailments, such as smoking-related COPD. Veterans should submit an VA claim immediately. A qualified mesothelioma attorney can assist veterans in gathering the evidence necessary to make a successful claim.

Each veteran's asbestos exposure is different, however certain branches of the military were more at risk. The exposure of veterans from the Navy to asbestos was usually the highest because of their work on shipyards and ships. The vessels were contaminated with asbestos in many places including boiler and engine rooms, living quarters, and aircraft machinery. Air Force veterans also faced a high level of risk, as they often worked with aircrafts and vehicles which contained asbestos.

Asbestos is a mineral that is found naturally, however it has to be extracted to be utilized by the military. If it is not handled correctly, tiny asbestos fibers can break up and become airborne. When inhaled, these tiny fibers can enter the lungs and abdomen, and cause irritation to the membranes that are found in the stomach and chest. In time these fibers can cause the linings to scar and form tumors. These tumors, referred to as mesothelioma are the most dangerous form of asbestos-related cancer.

Other asbestos-related diseases could include respiratory conditions like chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD). These symptoms are often mistaken for smoking-related COPD. However it is essential that Veterans see a doctor to obtain a proper diagnosis.

Many Veterans who are diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness receive treatment at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center in Miami. This facility is located just few minutes away from the Miami VA Medical Center. The VA may offer financial assistance to Veterans who aren't residents of the region. This includes housing and travel expenses. Additionally, a lot of mesothelioma specialists offer private practice options for patients that don't want to be seen at an VA facility.