Asbestos Exposure in the Military
Asbestos was an everyday material in military bases and barracks and also in vehicles. However, Lexington asbestos lawsuits was later discovered that asbestos may cause deadly and harmful health consequences. Veterans from all branches of the military could have been exposed asbestos and be at the risk of developing mesothelioma and other ailments.
Navy veterans have the highest risk of exposure, due to the asbestos usage on Navy vessels. However, Army Veterans who repaired or built ships and motor vehicles also faced the risk of exposure.
Military Occupational Specialty (MOS)
Asbestos was a favored building material for a long time before it was discovered to have negative health consequences. Asbestos exposure during the United States military was widespread and many veterans from all branches being exposed to asbestos and developing mesothelioma or other ailments from breathing in the dangerous mineral. The Boston asbestos lawyers at the Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers have extensive experience helping Army veterans obtain VA benefits and compensation for mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses.
In WWII during WWII, the Navy employed asbestos extensively in both ships and submarines. Asbestos could be present in compartments for sleeping, sleeping quarters and other areas on board and in nearby shipyards, construction sites, and shipyards.
Air Force veterans could have also been exposed to asbestos during their time in the service. Asbestos is often used in aircraft including rotors and fuel systems. Asbestos is also used in the manufacture of gaskets, thermal insulation and fireproofing.
Asbestos was often used by Navy pipefitters and welding crews. Lagging containing asbestos was commonly used on pipes that ran the entire length of a vessel. Navy welding technicians were sometimes required to remove the lagging prior to making repairs. Navy pipefitters were often working with asbestos in the form of loose asbestos, gaskets, seals and insulation. One Navy pipefitter named William Smith developed mesothelioma after having lung cancer as a result of his asbestos exposure.
Metal fabricators and steelworkers in the Navy were frequently exposed to asbestos while working in a shipyard or at construction sites. Asbestos was used as insulation, fireproofing and also as a welding material. Inhaling asbestos fibres poses a serious health risk for any type welding work, particularly when it's damp.
Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force veterans who worked on motor vehicles or ships were exposed to asbestos as part of their duties. VA benefits like disability compensation can help these veterans concentrate on their mesothelioma treatment instead of worrying about how to pay for their daily living expenses. Veterans may also be eligible to receive mesothelioma damages from negligent asbestos manufacturers. These companies knew about the dangers of asbestos and are responsible for the medical bills of their victims. Asbestos lawsuits have helped many asbestos victims receive substantial compensation.
Signs and symptoms
Many veterans who have been exposed to asbestos have suffered from a range of serious diseases. Exposure to asbestos increases the chance of developing mesothelioma as well as lung cancer. These illnesses can take 20 to 50 years to develop. Many veterans who worked in Army bases, Navy Shipyards, and Air Force Bases can receive compensation for exposure to asbestos and health issues.
Until the 1980s the military was heavily reliant on asbestos-based products. Asbest was used in the construction and repair of naval ships by Navy shipyards as well Army bases and Coast Guard yards. Navy sailors are at greater risk of being exposed to asbestos. Asbestos can be found in ship engines boiler rooms, decks and flooring.
Additionally, military workers in a variety of other jobs also were exposed to asbestos, such as plumbers, pipefitters, insulators and auto mechanics. Asbestos was often employed in building materials, such as walls, roofs and doors. The Navy even used asbestos to create fireproofing.
These hazardous materials posed a threat to the health of service members even when they were off the ship or at their base. If a person breathed asbestos fibers, they remained inside the lungs for a long period of time and resulted in scarring on the lungs' cells. As time passed the scarring became so severe that it led to asbestosis, a lung condition.
Asbestosis does not cause cancer, but it could lead to the development of other health issues, including mesothelioma which can take 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 type asbestosis that is not cancerous.
Exposure to asbestos from the outside can also cause mesothelioma. This is especially the case if a family member worked as a laborer or in the military and handled asbestos-based products. This is because asbestos fibers can travel through the air. Asbestos sufferers often brought the harmful fibers home on their clothing and exposed to their family members. Secondhand mesothelioma cases typically involve children, spouses, and siblings of those who were exposed to asbestos in their work. In these instances the mesothelioma patient's remaining spouse or child can be awarded compensation for the asbestos-related disease of their loved one.
Treatment
Affected veterans have a range of treatment options to help with symptoms, slow the progression of mesothelioma, and avoid complications. These include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation, as well as immunotherapy. In most cases, doctors will recommend a combination of these treatments, depending on the type of asbestos-related disease.
Asbestos is a poisonous material that was extensively employed on military bases as well as in aircrafts, ships and vehicles. It was used in cement mixes, drywall, spackling, and roofing to protect against fire and insulate them. These materials were disturbed during repair and maintenance, putting service members at risk.
Marine Corps veterans were exposed asbestos in their barracks and on naval vessels, during transportation and in their work on vehicles and aircrafts. 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 employed as mechanics on vehicles-based equipment were at the highest risk of exposure because of their frequent interactions with asbestos-containing components.
Asbestos is a pliable and durable material that was used to insulate valves, pipes and boilers. It was also used as a ceiling and floor tile. Asbestos's properties for insulation made it a great material for fireproofing and was also inexpensive and easy to manufacture. Asbestos is also resistant heat, making it a popular material for engine parts such as turbines and engines.
Asbestos is associated with a variety of illnesses such as mesothelioma. Lung cancer and pleural mesothelioma are the two frequent types of mesothelioma, and both are caused by prolonged exposure to asbestos fibers. These cancers cause malignant tumors in the chest and lungs.
The asbestos producers responsible for mesothelioma in patients with asbestos-related ailments may be able to compensate them financially. The money will help provide medical treatment and support services. To qualify for these funds, victims must go through a thorough procedure which includes getting medical records and other important documents. Many mesothelioma victims have experienced the hardships of dealing with this illness and it is essential to seek legal counsel to ensure their rights.
VA Benefits
Veterans who suffer from an asbestos-related illness are entitled to disability benefits and compensation. However, it is difficult to prove their condition is due to their military service. Many symptoms are misinterpreted as other ailments, like COPD caused by smoking. For this reason, it is essential for Veterans to make a VA claim as soon as possible. A mesothelioma lawyer who is experienced can assist veterans in gathering the evidence required 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 Navy veterans to asbestos was often the most severe due to their work on shipyards and ships. The vessels contained asbestos in a variety of locations, including the boiler room and engine as well as living quarters and aircraft machinery. Air Force veterans also faced a high level of risk because they frequently worked with aircrafts and vehicles that were contaminated with asbestos.
Asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally, but it must be mined to be used by the military. When asbestos is not handled correctly, it can break up and become airborne. Inhaling these microscopic fibers get into the abdomen and lungs and cause irritation to the membranes that line the chest and stomach. As time passes, these fibers can cause the linings to scar and grow into tumors. These tumors are known as mesothelioma, and are the most deadly asbestos-related cancer.
Other asbestos-related diseases could include respiratory problems like chronic obstructive respiratory disease (COPD). These symptoms are often confused with smoking-induced COPD however, it is essential for Veterans to consult with a physician to receive a proper diagnosis.
The Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, located in Miami is a treatment center for many Veterans diagnosed with asbestos-related illnesses. This center is just a short drive from the Miami VA Medical Center. The VA could provide financial assistance to Veterans who don't live in the region. This includes housing and travel expenses. Additionally, a lot of mesothelioma doctors offer private treatment options for patients who are not able to be treated at a VA facility.