Asbestos Exposure in the Military
Asbestos was widely used in military bases, barracks and vehicles until it was discovered to have dangerous and deadly health effects. Veterans from all branches of the military may have been exposed to asbestos and are at risk for developing mesothelioma and other ailments.
Navy veterans have the highest likelihood of exposure, due to asbestos lawyer-based construction materials used extensively on Navy vessels. Army Veterans who built or repaired ships and motor vehicles, and those who repaired them are also at risk.
Military Occupational Specialty
Asbestos was a well-known building material for many years before it was discovered to have dangerous health effects. Asbestos exposure in United States military was widespread and many veterans from every branch exposed to asbestos and developing mesothelioma and other ailments from breathing in the deadly mineral. The Boston asbestos lawyers at the Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers have extensive experience in helping Army veterans seek VA benefits and compensation for mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses.
The Navy employed asbestos extensively on vessels and submarines during WWII. Asbestos is likely to have been present in the sleeping quarters, compartments, and other areas on board and in nearby construction sites, shipyards and shipyards.
Air Force veterans may also have been exposed to asbestos while serving. Asbestos is often used in aircraft, including rotors and fuel systems. Asbestos was also used for thermal insulation, fireproofing and gaskets.
Navy pipefitters and welders were frequently exposed to asbestos while performing maintenance on Navy vessels. On pipes that run across the length of vessels asbestos-containing lagging was frequently used. Welders working in the Navy were sometimes required remove this lagging prior to making repairs. Navy pipefitters often worked 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 common exposure for metal fabricators as well as steelworkers in the Navy while working at the construction site or shipyard. Asbestos was used for insulation, fireproofing, and as an element of welding. Inhaling asbestos fibers is very dangerous for any type of welding job, particularly when it is wet.
Asbestos was a common substance in the work of veterans of the Army, Marine Corps Navy and Air Force who worked on ships or motor vehicles. VA benefits like disability compensation can allow these veterans to concentrate on their treatment for mesothelioma instead of worrying about paying for the cost of living. These veterans could be entitled to compensation for mesothelioma from negligent asbestos-related manufacturers. These companies knew about asbestos's dangers and should be responsible for the medical costs of their victims. asbestos lawsuits; helpbell40.bravejournal.net, have helped many asbestos lawyer victims receive substantial compensation.
Signs and symptoms
Many veterans exposed to asbestos have suffered from a variety of serious diseases. Exposure to asbestos increases the chance of developing mesothelioma as well as lung cancer. These diseases can develop over a time of between 20 and 50 years. Many veterans who served in Army bases, Navy Shipyards, and Air Force Bases can receive compensation for exposure to asbestos and health issues.
The military heavily relied on asbestos-based products until the 1980s. Navy shipyards, Coast Guard yards and Army bases all utilized asbestos to construct and repair naval ships. Navy sailors were at the highest risk of exposure. Asbestos is commonly found in ship engine rooms boiler rooms, decks and flooring.
Additionally, military workers in a number of other jobs also were exposed to asbestos, such as plumbers, pipefitters and insulators and auto mechanics. Asbestos is often used as a building material for walls as well as roofs, doors, and walls. The Navy employed asbestos to create fireproofing.
These dangerous materials could pose a health risk for military personnel and women even when they were not in the base or ship. If a person breathed asbestos fibers, they remained in the lungs for long periods of time and caused scarring to the lung's cells. In time the scarring became so severe that it led to asbestosis, a lung condition.
Asbestosis does not cause cancer, but it can result in the development of other health issues, including mesothelioma which can take between 20 and 50 years to develop following exposure. People who have the pleural plaques, an asbestosis that is not cancerous, may be six to nine times more likely to develop mesothelioma.
Secondhand exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma as well, particularly if a family member was a worker or military personnel who worked with asbestos-based products. This is because asbestos fibers can travel in the air. Asbestos victims typically brought these dangerous fibers home with them on their clothing and exposed to their family members. Secondhand mesothelioma cases usually involve spouses, children and siblings of those who were exposed to asbestos in their work. In these cases, the survivor spouse or children of a mesothelioma victim are eligible to receive compensation from the VA for their loved one's asbestos-related disease.
Treatment
Patients with mesothelioma can avail various treatments that can help them manage their symptoms, slow the progression of the disease and avoid complications. These include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and immunotherapy. Most often, doctors recommend a combination of the treatments, based on the type of asbestos attorney-related illness.
Asbestos is a poisonous material that was extensively used in military bases as well as in aircrafts, ships and vehicles. It was used in drywall, cement mixtures, spackling and roofing materials to protect against fire and insulate components. These materials were smashed in the course of maintenance and repair and put service workers at risk.
Marine Corps veterans were exposed to asbestos in barracks, on naval vessels, and during transport, as during their work on vehicles and aircraft. Asbestos was used in the insulation of ships boiler rooms, boiler rooms and electrical wiring, as well as engine parts as well as fabricated items like brake pads and clutches. Marines who were mechanics on vehicle-based equipment faced a particularly high risk of exposure due to their regular interaction with these asbestos-containing parts.
Because asbestos is a flexible and durable material, it was also used to create insulation for pipes, valves, boilers cables flooring tiles and ceilings. Its insulating properties as well as its low cost and ease of manufacture, made asbestos an ideal material for fireproofing. Asbestos also withstands heat, which made it an extremely popular choice for engine components like turbines and engines.
Asbestos is linked to many illnesses such as mesothelioma. Lung cancer and pleural mesothelioma are two frequent types of mesothelioma and both are triggered by prolonged exposure to asbestos fibers. These cancers cause malignant tumors in the lungs and chest walls.
Patients who are diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness are usually eligible for financial compensation from asbestos manufacturers who are responsible for mesothelioma. The money is used to cover medical expenses and other support services. To qualify for these funds, victims must go through a thorough procedure that includes the collection of medical records as well as other vital documents. Many victims of mesothelioma have experienced the hardships of dealing with this disease and it is essential to seek legal counsel to safeguard their rights.
VA Benefits
Veterans suffering from asbestos-related conditions are entitled to disability benefits and compensation. However, it can be difficult to prove their condition is related to their military service. Many symptoms are misinterpreted as other conditions, like smoking-related COPD. For this reason, it is important for Veterans to file a VA claim early as possible. A mesothelioma lawyer can help veterans gather evidence to make a successful claim.
Each veteran's exposure to asbestos is different, however certain branches of the military were more at risk. Navy veterans were typically at risk due to the duration of their work aboard 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 an increased risk because they frequently worked with aircrafts and vehicles that were contaminated with asbestos.
Although asbestos is a mineral that occurs naturally but it is required to be extracted and processed in order to be used in the military. If it isn't handled properly tiny asbestos fibers could break apart and become airborne. These tiny fibers can penetrate the lungs, abdomen and cause irritation of the membranes that line the chest and stomach. Over time the fibers may cause the linings of the stomach to scar and develop tumors. These tumors are referred to as mesothelioma. They are the most dangerous asbestos-related cancer.
Other asbestos-related diseases can include respiratory conditions like chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD). These symptoms are often confused with smoking-related COPD. However, it is important that Veterans consult a physician to get a precise diagnosis.
Many Veterans who are diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease receive treatment at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center in Miami. This facility is located just a short distance from the Miami VA Medical Center. The VA could provide financial assistance to Veterans who do not reside in the region. This could include the cost of travel and accommodation. In addition, many mesothelioma specialists provide private practices for patients who do not want to be seen at a VA facility.