Asbestos Exposure in the Military
Asbestos was an everyday material in military bases and barracks and vehicles. However, it was later discovered that asbestos may be deadly and have dangerous 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 face the highest likelihood of exposure, due to the extensive asbestos use on Navy ships. However, Army Veterans who repaired or built vessels and motor vehicles also faced dangers of exposure.
Military Occupational Specialty (MOS)
Asbestos had been a popular building material for decades before its detrimental health effects were discovered. Asbestos was widely used in the United States Military. Many veterans from all branches were exposed to asbestos, and many were diagnosed with 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.
During WWII during WWII, the Navy employed asbestos extensively in its ships and submarines. can i sue my landlord for asbestos exposure with a variety of MOSs might 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 may also have been exposed to asbestos during their service. Asbestos is commonly used in aircraft, such as rotors and fuel systems. Asbestos was also used to make thermal insulation, fireproofing and gaskets.
Asbestos was often used by Navy pipefitters and welding crews. Asbestos-containing lagging was often used on pipes that ran the entire length of a vessel. Welders working in the Navy were often required to remove this lagging prior to making repairs. Navy pipefitters frequently worked with asbestos-containing insulation, gaskets, and seals. William Smith, a Navy pipefitter, developed mesothelioma from asbestos exposure following lung cancer.
Metal fabricators and steelworkers working in the Navy were often exposed to asbestos while working at a shipyard or construction sites. Asbestos was used as insulation, fireproofing and also as an element of welding. Inhaling asbestos fibers is a serious risk for any type of 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 part of their duties. Veterans can concentrate on the treatment they receive for mesothelioma instead of worrying about their daily expenses. They could also be eligible for mesothelioma compensation due to negligent asbestos manufacturers. These companies were aware of the dangers of asbestos and should be accountable for the medical expenses 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 variety of serious ailments. Exposure to asbestos can increase the risk of mesothelioma and lung cancer. These diseases can take anywhere from 20 to 50 years to develop. Many veterans who were employed in Army bases, Navy Shipyards, and Air Force Bases can receive compensation for asbestos exposure and health issues.
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 were especially at risk of exposure. Asbestos is often found in ship engines boiler rooms, decks and flooring.
In addition, military personnel in various other jobs also were exposed to asbestos, for example insulators, pipefitters, plumbers and auto mechanics. Asbestos is often used as a building material in walls as well as roofs, doors, and walls. The Navy even employed asbestos to make fireproofing.
These harmful substances could pose a health risk for servicemen and women even when they were not in the base or ship. If a person breathed asbestos fibers, they remained in the lungs for a long period of time, and resulted in scarring on the lungs’ cells. As time passed, the scarring on the lungs was so severe that asbestosis was triggered.
Asbestosis, though not cancerous but it can cause other health issues, including mesothelioma. This disease takes 20 to 50 years to develop following exposure. People who have pleural plaques, which are an asbestosis that is not cancerous can be six to nine times more likely to develop mesothelioma.
Exposure to asbestos from the outside can also cause mesothelioma. This is especially true when a family member was employed as a worker or in the military and was exposed to asbestos-based products. This is because asbestos can be transported through the air. Asbestos victims typically brought these harmful fibers home on their clothes and exposed their family members. Mesothelioma that is secondhand is typically caused by spouses, children and the siblings of asbestos workers. In these instances the mesothelioma patient’s remaining spouse or child can receive compensation for the asbestos-related illness of their loved one.
Treatment
Veterans with mesothelioma have a variety of treatment options that could assist with symptoms, reduce the progression of mesothelioma, and avoid complications. These include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation, as well as immunotherapy. Most often, doctors recommend a combination of these treatments, depending on the type of asbestos-related illness.
Asbestos was widely used in military bases, ships, aircrafts, and vehicles. It was used in drywall as well as cement mixtures, spackling and roofing to fireproof and insulate components. These materials were disturbed during maintenance and repair, putting service members at risk.
Marine Corps veterans were exposed to asbestos in their barracks, on naval vessels, and during transport, as when they worked on aircrafts and vehicles. Asbestos was found in the insulation of ships boiler rooms, boiler rooms and electrical wiring as well as engine parts and fabricated components like brake pads and clutches. Marines who worked on vehicle-based equipment were at an increased risk of exposure to asbestos since they often interacted with these components.
Since asbestos is a pliable and durable material, it was used to create insulation for boilers, valves, pipes, cables flooring tiles and ceilings. Asbestos’s insulating properties made it a great fireproofing material, and it was cheap and easy to manufacture. Asbestos also withstands heat, which made it a popular option for engine components such as turbines and engines.
Asbestos is linked to many illnesses which include mesothelioma. Lung cancer and pleural mesothelioma are two frequent types of mesothelioma, and both are caused by exposure to asbestos fibers. These cancers cause malignant tumors in the lungs and chest walls.
Those diagnosed with an asbestos-related condition are usually entitled to financial compensation from asbestos manufacturers responsible for mesothelioma. The money will help pay for needed medical care and other support services. To qualify for this type of assistance, the victims must undergo a thorough process that includes obtaining medical records as well as other vital documents. It is essential to seek legal representation for those suffering from mesothelioma who have suffered the difficulties associated with this disease.
VA Benefits
Veterans suffering from an asbestos-related condition are entitled to disability benefits and compensation. It is often difficult for veterans to prove that their condition is related to their military service. This is because many symptoms can be mistaken as other ailments, such as smoking-related COPD. Veterans must file a VA claim as soon as possible. A mesothelioma lawyer with experience can help veterans gather the evidence necessary to file an effective claim.
Every veteran’s asbestos exposure is different, however certain branches of the military were at higher risk. The exposure of Navy veterans to asbestos was usually the highest because of their work on ships and shipyards. These vessels contained asbestos in many places, including engine and boiler rooms, living quarters and aircraft machinery. Air Force veterans also faced a high level of risk, as they often were in contact with vehicles and planes that contained asbestos.
Asbestos is an element that occurs naturally, but it requires mining to be utilized by the military. When asbestos is not treated properly, it may break down and become airborne. Inhaling these microscopic fibers can enter the lungs and abdomen, and cause irritation to 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, known as mesothelioma, are among the most deadly form of asbestos-related cancer.
Other asbestos-related diseases can include respiratory problems like chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD). These symptoms are often confused with smoking-induced COPD however it is crucial for Veterans to see a doctor and receive an accurate diagnosis.
The Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, located in Miami, is a treatment center for a variety of Veterans who suffer from asbestos-related diseases. This facility is a short drive from the Miami VA Medical Center. The VA could provide financial assistance to Veterans who aren’t residents of the area. This includes housing and travel expenses. Many mesothelioma specialists provide private practice options for patients who do not wish to be seen in a VA facility.
