Asbestos Exposure in the Military
Asbestos was once a common component in military bases and barracks and vehicles. However, it was later discovered that asbestos could have deadly and dangerous health effects. 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 face the highest likelihood of exposure, due to the asbestos-based construction materials used extensively 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 popular building material for many years before it was discovered to cause dangerous health effects. Asbestos exposure in United States military was widespread, with many veterans of every branch being exposed to asbestos and developing mesothelioma or other ailments from breathing in asbestos' dangerous mineral. The Boston asbestos lawyers at Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers have extensive experience helping Army veterans seek VA benefits and compensation for mesothelioma as well as other asbestos-related diseases.
In WWII during WWII, the Navy used asbestos extensively in both ships and submarines. Asbestos was likely to be present in the sleeping quarters, compartments, and other areas on board and in nearby shipyards, construction sites and shipyards.
Air Force veterans may also have been exposed to asbestos while serving. Asbestos is often used in aircraft, such as rotors and fuel systems. Asbestos is also used in the manufacturing of gaskets, thermal insulation and fireproofing.
Asbestos was often used by Navy pipefitters and welding crews. On pipes that ran the length of a vessel, asbestos-containing lagging is often employed. Navy welders were often required to remove the lagging prior to making repairs. Navy pipefitters were often working with asbestos-containing insulation, gaskets, and seals. William Smith, a Navy pipefitter, contracted mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure following lung cancer.
Asbestos was a frequent exposure for metal fabricators as well as steelworkers in the Navy while working on the construction site or shipyard. Asbestos is utilized as an insulation material, a fireproofing substance and as a welding material. Inhaling asbestos fibers poses a serious health risk for any welding job particularly when it's wet.
Asbestos was a frequent substance used by veterans from the Army, Marine Corps Navy and Air Force who worked on motor vehicles or ships. Veterans can focus on their treatment for mesothelioma, not worrying about their daily expenses. Veterans may also be eligible for mesothelioma damages from negligent asbestos manufacturers. These companies were aware of the dangers associated with asbestos and should be held responsible 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 developed a wide range of serious diseases. The exposure to asbestos's toxic mineral exposes a person to risk of developing mesothelioma, asbestosis, and 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 asbestos exposure and health issues.
The military relied heavily upon asbestos-based products prior to the 1980s. Navy shipyards, Coast Guard yards and Army bases all used asbestos to construct and repair naval ships. Navy sailors are at greater risk of asbestos exposure. Asbestos was frequently found in engine rooms, boiler rooms and the deck flooring on ships.
Asbestos was also found in the workplaces of military workers who worked in other positions such as insulators or pipefitters. Asbestos is commonly used as a building material in walls or roofs, as well as doors and windows. The Navy employed asbestos to create fireproofing.
These hazardous materials could pose a health risk for military personnel and women even when they were not in the base or ship. Asbestos particles can remain in the lungs and cause scarring for an extended period of time after inhalation. Over time the scarring of the lungs was so severe that the condition asbestosis was caused.
Asbestosis is not a cancer, but it could result in the development of other health issues, including mesothelioma, which takes between 20 and 50 years to develop after exposure. Mesothelioma is six to nine-times more likely to occur in people who have plaques in the pleura. Pleural plaques are a type of asbestosis that isn't cancerous.
Exposure to asbestos from the outside can also cause mesothelioma. This is especially the case in the case of a family member who worked as a worker or in the military and was exposed to asbestos-based products. This is due to asbestos's ability to be transported through the air. Asbestos sufferers often brought these dangerous fibers home on their clothes and exposed their family members. Secondhand mesothelioma cases usually involve children, spouses and siblings of those exposed to asbestos in their work. In these instances the mesothelioma patient's remaining spouse or child can receive compensation for the asbestos-related illness of their loved one.
Treatment
Affected veterans have a range of treatment options that can assist with symptoms, reduce the progression of mesothelioma and prevent complications. These include surgery, radiotherapy chemotherapy, immunotherapy and radiotherapy. Most often, doctors recommend a combination of the treatments, depending on the type of asbestos-related illness.
Asbestos was extensively used in military bases as well as aircrafts, ships, and vehicles. It was added in drywall, cement mixes as well as roofing spackling and spackling to make fireproof components and to insulate them. During maintenance and repairs these materials were damaged and put personnel at risk of being exposed.
Kansas City asbestos attorneys were exposed asbestos in barracks and on naval vessels during transportation as well as when they worked on aircraft and vehicles. Asbestos was utilized in ship insulation, electrical wiring and boiler rooms, as well as engine components and fabricated components like brake pads and clutches. Marines who worked with vehicle-based equipment were at a high risk of exposure to asbestos because they frequently interacted with asbestos-containing components.
Asbestos is a flexible, tough material that was used to insulate valves, pipes and boilers. It was also used for ceiling and floor tile. Asbestos's properties for insulation made it an ideal material for fireproofing, and it was cheap and easy to make. Asbestos is also resistant heat, which makes it an ideal material for engine parts like engines and turbines.
Asbestos is linked to many illnesses which include mesothelioma. Lung cancer and pleural mesothelioma are the two most common forms of the disease and both are triggered by prolonged exposure to asbestos fibers. These cancers cause malignant tumors in the chest and lungs.
The asbestos producers who are responsible for mesothelioma in people diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases could be able to pay them a financial settlement. The money will help pay for needed medical care and support services. To be eligible for these funds, patients have to go through a rigorous process that involves the collection of medical records and other important documents. Many mesothelioma patients have faced the challenges of dealing with this illness, and it is important to have legal representation to safeguard their rights.
VA Benefits
Veterans who suffer from an asbestos-related condition 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 conditions, like COPD caused by smoking. For this reason, it is crucial for Veterans to submit a VA claim early as possible. A mesothelioma lawyer with experience can help veterans gather the evidence needed to submit an effective claim.
Each veteran's exposure to asbestos is different, however there were certain branches of the military which were at a greater risk of being exposed the toxic mineral. The exposure of Navy veterans to asbestos was often the highest because of their time in shipyards and on ships. The vessels were contaminated with asbestos in numerous places including boiler and engine rooms, living quarters and aircraft machinery. Air Force veterans were also at risk because they were often working with military vehicles and planes which contained asbestos.
Asbestos is a natural mineral that occurs naturally, but it requires mining to be employed by the military. If it is not handled properly tiny asbestos fibers may break apart and then become airborne. When inhaled, these microscopic fibers get into the abdomen and lungs and cause irritation to the membranes that connect the stomach and chest. These fibers can cause the linings of the stomach and chest to swell over time. These tumors are referred to as mesothelioma, and are the most dangerous asbestos-related cancer.
Other asbestos-related illnesses can include respiratory conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These symptoms are often confused with smoking-induced COPD, but it is essential for Veterans to consult a doctor and get a clear diagnosis.
The Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, located in Miami, is a center for treatment for many Veterans diagnosed with asbestos-related illnesses. The facility is just located just a few minutes away from the Miami VA Medical Center. The VA may offer financial assistance to Veterans who do not reside in the region. This can include travel and housing costs. Additionally, a lot of mesothelioma specialists provide private treatment options for patients who do not want to be treated at an VA facility.