Help for Veterans with Mesothelioma

Help for Veterans with Mesothelioma

Help for Veterans with Mesothelioma

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Men and women who have served in the U.S. military deserve our highest respect and gratitude. They put in significant amounts of time and effort serving our country, often at risk to their lives.

Unfortunately, some veterans are now realizing that their service was not without other risks—namely the risk of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Many thousands of veterans and civilians who worked in military settings were exposed to asbestos in the years before the dangers of this material were known, and the exposure continued even after the dangers were confirmed.
Asbestos Exposure in the Military

Persons who served in the military between 1940 and 1970 are most at risk. Asbestos was used very widely in shipbuilding, construction, and other applications at military installations in those years, and workers in those settings weren't aware that exposure to asbestos could cause a tragic disease that wouldn't appear until many years later.

Machinist's mates, boiler room workers, machinery repairmen, insulation installers, and several other military occupations have shown high rates of mesothelioma. The only identified cause of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure, and these occupations involved frequent, often daily, exposure to the tiny asbestos fibers that lodge in one's lungs and cause cancer. Shipbuilding occupations in particular often involved asbestos exposure in small, confined workspaces where the asbestos was almost sure to be inhaled.

Although the link between asbestos and cancer was firmly established by the 1960s, the U.S. military didn't ban the use of asbestos until 1970, after potentially millions of members of the military had been exposed.
The Risk to Veterans’ Families

In addition, many workers unknowingly took the asbestos fibers on their clothing home with them, inadvertently exposing their family members to this toxic substance. Cases of mesothelioma caused by this type of secondary exposure have already been confirmed.
Medical Help for Veterans with Mesothelioma

As soon as signs or symptoms of respiratory distress occur, a veteran should seek medical care. The sooner that mesothelioma or any other disease is identified, the sooner that treatment can begin. Consult your family physician or the nearest VA center. Most groups that help vets are also aware of mesothelioma, and a new patient can get assistance and comfort from other vets who are going through similar challenges.

Veterans who may have mesothelioma need to get their diagnosis confirmed. VA doctors and private doctors have shown a range of familiarity with mesothelioma — some are aware of this disease and have up-to-date knowledge about treatment, whereas others are less familiar and may not know the best way to help a veteran with mesothelioma. Don't be reluctant to get a second opinion.

There are numerous mesothelioma resources to benefit from. The more that a patient and his or her family know about the consequences of and treatment for mesothelioma, the better they'll be able to meet the challenges of this devastating disease. One of the most helpful actions a patient can take is to contact an experienced mesothelioma attorney who'll fight to protect his or her legal rights and recover compensations for the extensive damages that this disease can cause.
Contact a Mesothelioma Attorney

If mesothelioma is the diagnosis for you or your family member, protect your legal rights by contacting an experienced and knowledgeable mesothelioma attorney for help. Veterans have the same legal rights as all members of American society.

Help for Veterans with Mesothelioma