U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and others have
served their country in times of war and peace, giving their time,
effort, and sometimes their lives as part of their service. They have
the same right to the best in medical care that is afforded to all in
our country. Mesothelioma, a disease with no known cure, has felled
many U.S. veterans, and the rights of these veterans to receive
compensation for this work-related disease should be upheld.
Medical Care for Veterans Is Lacking
Unfortunately, many veterans are not receiving the medical care or
disability benefits to which they are entitled. For example, some
600,000 claims for federal benefits are pending with the Veterans
Administration, languishing in a bureaucratic morass for years at a
time. These include more than 123,000 disability claims of vets of the
wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Veterans with asbestos-induced
mesothelioma are facing the same obstacles.
Millions of Veterans Exposed to Asbestos
It is now apparent that hundreds of thousands — perhaps millions — of
veterans were exposed to the toxic material asbestos as part of their
military service. Asbestos was present in many products used by
military members and civilian contractors when they built military
facilities and ships (asbestos exposure navy ships) or maintained
military vehicles. Common asbestos-containing products included:
Cement
Flooring products
Insulation
Steam pipes
Hot water pipes
Gaskets
Brakes and clutches
Boilers, turbines, and generators
Other members of the military were subjected to asbestos simply by
being aboard ships, many of which had asbestos as a heavily used
component. The pervasiveness of asbestos in the 1930s, 40s, and 50s
made it difficult to avoid, particularly in the military. It has been
estimated that up to 30% of veterans who served before 1970 were
exposed to asbestos in some form. In addition, many members of the
military who were in regular contact with asbestos inadvertently took
the asbestos home with them on their clothing, thereby exposing their
spouses and children.
In the Decades Before 1970
Before its dangers were identified, many thought of asbestos as a
"miracle material" in light of its strength, durability, and
fire-resistant qualities. It wasn't until the 1960s that overwhelming
evidence of the risk of mesothelioma cancer and other diseases caused
by asbestos exposure finally started to shut the asbestos industry
down, but by then, millions of people had been exposed to this toxic
material in their workplaces and homes.
Veterans' Rights and Mesothelioma Compensation
Mesothelioma often takes decades to manifest itself. It is now
increasingly identified in soldiers, sailors, airmen and others who
were exposed to asbestos years ago. These veterans have rights,
including the right to receive proper medical care and compensation
for their losses. Mesothelioma is a devastating disease that results
in damages such as:
Loss of work
Loss of income
Huge medical bills
Loss of a spouse/parent/loved one
Funeral and burial costs
Pain and suffering
A Mesothelioma Attorney to Protect Your Veterans' Rights
If mesothelioma has befallen you or your loved one, you have legal
rights that can be protected with the assistance of an attorney.
Contact an experienced and qualified mesothelioma attorney today to
arrange a consultation and discuss your options.
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