Asbestos Exposure in the Military
Asbestos was widely used in military barracks, bases and vehicles until it was found to have dangerous and deadly health effects. Veterans from every branch of the military may have been exposed to asbestos and are at risk for developing mesothelioma as well as other illnesses.
Navy veterans face the highest risk of exposure, due to extensive asbestos use on Navy ships. However, Army Veterans who repaired or built vessels and motor vehicles also had dangers of exposure.
Military Occupational Specialty (MOS)
Asbestos was a popular building material for many years before it was discovered to cause harmful health effects. Asbestos exposure in United States military was widespread with a lot of veterans from every branch being exposed to asbestos and developing mesothelioma or other illnesses from inhaling the dangerous mineral. The Boston asbestos lawyers at the Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers have extensive experience helping Army veterans seek VA benefits and compensation for mesothelioma as well as other asbestos-related illnesses.
In WWII during WWII, the Navy employed asbestos extensively in both ships and submarines. Navy veterans with numerous MOSs could have been exposed to asbestos in their sleeping quarters, compartments and other areas of the ship as well as in nearby shipyards or construction sites.
Air Force veterans may also have been exposed to asbestos during their time in the service. Asbestos was often used in aircraft, including rotors, fuel systems and hydraulics. Asbestos is also used in the manufacture of gaskets, thermal insulation and fireproofing.
Asbestos was often used by Navy pipefitters and welding crews. Lagging that contained asbestos was frequently used on pipes that ran through the entire length of a vessel. Navy welders were sometimes required to remove the lagging prior making repairs. Navy pipefitters frequently worked with 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.
Steelworkers and metal fabricators in the Navy were frequently exposed to asbestos while working at a shipyard or construction sites. Asbestos is an insulation material, a fireproofing substance and a welding materials. Inhaling asbestos fibres poses very dangerous for health in any type welding work especially when it’s wet.
Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force veterans who worked on ships or motor vehicles were exposed to asbestos as part of their duties. VA benefits like disability compensation can help these veterans focus on their mesothelioma treatment instead of worrying about how to pay for the cost of living. They could also be eligible for mesothelioma damages from negligent asbestos producers. These companies were aware of the risks associated with asbestos and should be held accountable for their victims’ medical bills. Asbestos lawsuits have helped many asbestos victims receive substantial compensation.
Symptoms
Many asbestos-related victims have suffered from a variety of serious diseases. Exposure to asbestos can increase the chance of developing mesothelioma as well as lung cancer. These illnesses can take 20 to 50 years to develop. Many veterans who worked on Army bases, Navy shipyards and Air Force bases are eligible for compensation for their asbestos exposure and health issues.
The military relied heavily upon asbestos-based products up until the 1980s. 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 a greater risk of being exposed to asbestos. Asbestos was frequently found in engine rooms, boiler rooms, and deck flooring on ships.
Asbestos was also found in the workplaces of military personnel who worked in other positions such as insulators or pipefitters. Asbestos was commonly used in building materials like doors, walls and roofs. The Navy used asbestos to make fireproofing.
These dangerous materials could pose a risk to the health of soldiers even when they were away from the ship or at their base. When an individual inhaled asbestos fibers, they remained inside the lungs for long periods of time, and caused scarring to the lungs’ cells. Over time the scarring grew so severe that it triggered asbestosis, a lung disease.
va compensation for asbestos exposure is not a cancer, but it could result in the development of other health problems including mesothelioma that takes between 20 and 50 years to develop following exposure. Mesothelioma is between six and nine times more likely to develop in people who have plaques in the pleura. Pleural plaques are a type asbestosis that isn’t cancerous.
The exposure to asbestos through secondhand sources can also cause mesothelioma. This is especially true if a family member worked as a worker or was in the military and was exposed to asbestos-based products. This is due to asbestos’s ability to be transported through the air. Asbestos victims often brought the harmful fibers home on their clothing and exposed their loved ones to asbestos. Secondhand mesothelioma cases usually involve spouses, children and siblings of those exposed to asbestos in their work. In these cases, the surviving spouse or children of a mesothelioma victim are eligible to receive compensation from the VA for their loved one’s asbestos-related disease.
Treatment
Affected veterans face a number of treatment options that can help with symptoms, reduce the progression of mesothelioma and prevent complications. These include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Doctors typically recommend a combination treatment depending on the type and severity of the asbestos-related illness.
Asbestos was widely used in military bases and ships, aircrafts, and vehicles. It was incorporated into drywall and cement mixtures, spacklings and roofing to insulate and protect components. These materials were damaged during maintenance and repair, putting service members at risk.
Marine Corps veterans were exposed to asbestos in barracks, on naval vessels, and during transport, as well as in their work on aircrafts and vehicles. Asbestos was found in ship insulation boiler rooms, boiler rooms, and electrical wiring, as well as engine parts and manufactured items such as brake pads and clutches. Marines who were mechanics on vehicle-based equipment faced a particularly high risk of exposure because of their regular interaction with these asbestos-containing components.
Since asbestos is a pliable and durable material, it was also used for insulating boilers, valves, pipes cables, floor tiles and ceilings. Its insulating properties, along with its affordability and simple manufacturing made asbestos a perfect material for fireproofing. Asbestos is also resistant heat, which makes it a popular material for engine parts such as turbines and engines.
Asbestos is linked to many illnesses which include mesothelioma. Lung cancer and mesothelioma are two kinds of diseases that are caused by asbestos fibers. These cancers affect the lungs as well as the chest wall which causes malignant tumors grow.
The asbestos producers responsible for mesothelioma in patients with asbestos-related ailments may be able to pay them a financial settlement. The money is used to pay for medical care and other support services. To be eligible for these funds, patients must go through a thorough procedure which includes obtaining 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 illness.
VA Benefits
Veterans suffering from an asbestos-related condition have the right to disability benefits and compensation. It can be difficult for veterans to prove that their condition is connected to their military service. This is because a variety of symptoms can be mistaken for other ailments, such as smoking-related COPD. Veterans must make an VA claim as soon as they can. A mesothelioma lawyer can assist veterans gather evidence for an effective claim.
Every veteran’s asbestos exposure is different, however certain branches of the military were more at risk. Navy veterans were typically most at risk because of their time aboard ships and shipyards. The vessels had asbestos in a variety of places, including the engine and boiler room living quarters, as well as aircraft machinery. Air Force veterans were also at a high risk because they often worked with military vehicles and planes that were contaminated with asbestos.
Although asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally but it is required to be mined and processed to be used in military. When asbestos is not properly handled, it could break up and become airborne. When inhaled, these tiny fibers get into the abdomen and lungs and cause irritation to the membranes that line the chest and stomach. In time these fibers can cause the linings to become scarred and grow into tumors. These tumors, known as mesothelioma are the most deadly type of 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 however it is essential for Veterans to consult a doctor to receive a proper diagnosis.
Many Veterans who are diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness receive treatment at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center in Miami. The facility is just a short drive from the Miami VA Medical Center. The VA might offer financial assistance to Veterans who do not reside in the region. This can include housing and travel expenses. Many mesothelioma experts offer private practice options to patients who don’t want to visit the VA facility.
PHOENIX GAMING PC