Navy Asbestos Settlements
Navy veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma are eligible for compensation. Compensation can include VA benefits as well as lawsuits against asbestos manufacturers and trust fund claims.
During the middle of the 20th century, asbestos was extensively employed in shipyards as well as on Navy ships. All branches of the military who have used asbestos have developed mesothelioma.
VA Claims
The VA has established compensation procedures to ensure that veterans suffering from asbestos-related diseases can receive financial assistance. This includes disability benefits in addition to health and treatment costs.
In addition to the compensation offered by the VA, Navy veterans with mesothelioma may also qualify for cash compensation from private mesothelioma lawsuits as well as asbestos trust funds. Mesothelioma lawyers aid veterans and their families file these types of claims as swiftly as possible.
asbestos lawsuits was used extensively as an insulation material and as a fireproofing substance in most Navy ships built from the 1930s to the early 1980s. Navy personnel were exposed to asbestos while working aboard the ship or in a shipyard, and in repair jobs. The majority of Navy job carried a high risk of exposure to asbestos. Shipyard workers were the highest risk because they would often take asbestos-containing items down such as pipes, ceilings and boilers.
Navy repairmen electricians, plumbers, and pipe fitters were at a high chance of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that they worked in or around the asbestos-containing equipment found on Navy vessels. The risk was also high for sailors and firefighters in the gun turrets on ships, who were wearing protective gloves and gloves that were heat-resistant comprised of asbestos.
Asbestos producers knew of the dangers associated with their products in the 1930s but continued to profit off these deadly and dangerous materials. The only way to avoid being diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness was to quit working on asbestos-laden ships or in shipyards.
In the aftermath of these devastations, the manufacturing companies that produced asbestos-containing products were forced to file for bankruptcy. This led to the companies were forced to set aside funds in asbestos trusts to compensate victims. These trust funds are able to award financial compensation to veterans, without affecting their VA benefits.
In most cases, an VA claim is the best option for receiving financial compensation. A VA approved attorney can assist veterans and their families complete the necessary paperwork to get this process started as quickly as possible. The lawyers at Sokolove Law have more than 40 years of experience filing VA claims on behalf of Navy veterans with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses.
Private Claims
Asbestos was utilized in shipbuilding and construction for Navy ships throughout the 1930s until the 1970s. Asbestos was a popular material due to its cost and had numerous desirable characteristics such as resistance to fire, corrosion resistance, insulating properties, and soundproofing.
It was located in the boiler rooms, engine rooms, and other rooms beneath the decks of Navy vessels as well as Navy bases. Unfortunately it was found that the Navy was the branch of the military with the highest rate of asbestos exposure. Asbestos could also be found on vessels used for auxiliary purposes, such as tugboats, barges and seaplane tenders.
VA lawsuits and claims have repaid a lot of Navy veterans who have been exposed to asbestos-related diseases, or mesothelioma. Mesothelioma compensation may help veterans pay for their medical care as well as other expenses related to the disease.
A lawsuit may offer more compensation than a VA claim. A lawsuit is intended to hold companies that manufacture or sell asbestos-based products accountable for their wrongful conduct. Navy veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma can file a lawsuit to recover compensation for their losses.
Mesothelioma lawyers from top firms can help veterans qualify for both VA compensation as well as private compensation. VA claims can provide financial aid and health services for veterans, whereas private compensation awards are typically $1 million or higher.
Navy veterans and their families must make sure they are able to get legal compensation for mesothelioma. Asbestos lawyers are aware of the details of this complicated process and can guide veterans through the entire mesothelioma lawsuit timeline.
The majority of mesothelioma lawsuits settle however, some cases will end in court. This is where a judge and/or jury, and could result in a higher or lower verdict than a settlement. A lawyer can assist veterans in deciding if an agreement is better than trial. This decision is influenced many factors which include the amount of compensation offered and the stage of mesothelioma. A mesothelioma lawyer will put in a lot of effort to prepare the case, and ensure the most favorable outcome.
Trials
Asbestos lawyers aid veterans suffering from mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses to obtain compensation from Navy asbestos settlements. These settlements average at least $1 million. The U.S. government and the military aren't sued when veterans seek these lawsuits that are filed against the manufacturers of asbestos-based products, which expose navy personnel to the risk of exposure.
Until the 1980s, many kinds of Navy vessels were constructed of asbestos. The dangerous mineral was used in boiler rooms, engine rooms, and other areas of vessels. Shipyard workers also had to be exposed to asbestos while they constructed or repaired, and then dismantled naval vessels. During this time workers handled large amounts of asbestos-containing materials without even knowing that it contained asbestos. Asbestos fibres would then be spread throughout the ship in areas that were not ventilated. These areas included sleeping quarters, dining halls and other common areas. Families of Navy and shipyard workers often suffer from asbestos exposure secondhand.
The Department of Veterans Affairs offers health and financial aid for veterans suffering from mesothelioma, or any other asbestos lawyer-related illness. Navy veterans who are eligible for VA benefits can receive reimbursement that covers the cost of treatment and other expenses associated with the illness. The kind of VA benefits a veteran can receive is contingent on the amount of asbestos they were exposed to during their time of service and whether they were exposed to asbestos attorney mostly as an Marine or an Navy service member.
Mesothelioma sufferers can make private lawsuits against asbestos manufacturers to enhance the VA benefits they receive. The lawsuits were filed against companies who produced asbestos-containing products, like Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. 3M, Burnham Commercial Boilers and John Crane Inc. These lawsuits seek compensation for the victim and their families.
Asbestos lawsuits are complex and require the expertise of attorneys who specialize in these types of cases. Lawyers collaborate with mesothelioma specialists to ensure that a lawsuit is filed correctly in order to receive the highest amount of compensation. Attorneys also assist veterans file trust fund claims which are an essential component of any asbestos settlement. The filing of a lawsuit will not affect a veteran’s ability to apply for VA benefits. Veterans can pursue both at the same time.
Settlements
Navy veterans who have been diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases can be compensated through lawsuits filed against asbestos producers. Settlements or verdict could cover medical costs as well as lost wages, and other expenses that are associated with asbestos-related illnesses. A mesothelioma lawyer can assist veterans determine whether they are eligible to bring a suit against asbestos companies that have been negligent.
Through the entire time of the Navy asbestos was utilized to protect machinery and to insulate ships. It was widely used to protect engines in ship engine rooms. It was also utilized in storage areas and living quarters, such as cafeterias and sleeping rooms. Poor ventilation allowed asbestos to spread and infect the other areas of the ship.
Even after the Navy banned asbestos use in the year 1975, it was still present in ships that were being repaired or decommissioned in shipyards. The Navy then offered these old vessels to scrap metal which led to more asbestos exposure. Shipyard workers also faced asbestos exposure while they constructed or repaired these military vessels.
Navy veterans who were exposed to asbestos in their work might have been awarded compensation for their illness. This could be in the form of monetary benefits as in addition to free mesothelioma therapies. Compensation is typically awarded through an agreement to settle instead of an actual trial before a jury which could result in a larger award.
Mesothelioma attorneys will look over the medical records of the veteran, including test results, to determine their eligibility for compensation. Patients suffering from asbestos-related mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses could be eligible for monthly financial benefits, tax-free health care and assistance with daily tasks.
Lawyers representing mesothelioma patients strive to secure the highest possible compensation for their clients. While the majority of cases settle with an agreement to settle, a few end up in court. A jury and judge determine the amount of damages based on the evidence in every case. It is not uncommon for a verdict to be much greater than a settlement. Veterans with mesothelioma can receive awards of tens of thousands of dollars. The result of a trial is unpredictable. Many lawyers prefer to settle claims rather than take them to trial.