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Veterans - Do I Have to Sue the Military?

Mesothelioma is an asbestos cancer attributed primarily to asbestos exposure and this disease is prevalent among the nation's heroes-veterans who fought to protect freedom of wars past. Hundreds of thousands, if not millions of veterans were exposed to deadly asbestos-containing materials during military service. Extensively utilized by every military branch, asbestos was hailed and commonly applied for its heat and fire resistance. Asbestos was so valued that the military even mandated widespread use before phasing out the material in the 1970s.

Veterans coping with asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma do not have to sue the government to receive compensation. The armed services are not held legally at fault for veterans who are now afflicted with this deadly cancer. Rather, the manufacturers of asbestos products are responsible for compensation.

The manufacturers of asbestos products largely hid the dangers of asbestos and its impact on human health for as long as possible in order to maximize profits and watch bottom lines. Many manufacturers outright lied to customers, including the U. S. Armed Forces, about the safety of asbestos. Many of the manufacturers formed scientific committees to support the perception that asbestos was a harmless material. Furthermore, many companies' scientific committees and CEOs pressured scientists outside the industry to hide their findings. Asbestos companies worked very hard to discredit the researchers who were trying to warn the world of the dangers of asbestos. Today, these manufacturing companies are being brought to justice and are paying the consequences of their actions that have impacted the lives of so many people, including veterans and their families.

Unfortunately, veterans are particularly susceptible to developing mesothelioma cancer. This is primarily due to vast amounts of asbestos products used by the military until the mid-1980s. As the dangers of asbestos were exposed to the public and became a hot issue, many took notice and chose to remove asbestos materials, a process which is still taking place today. Thus, even today's military are at risk of being exposed to asbestos (such as through the dismantling of an older vessel). Safety precautions are in place to minimize the exposure, but there is no proven method to prevent exposure completely.

Navy Veterans who helped build and maintain warships are at high risk for developing mesothelioma. Ships constructed between the 1930s and 1970s used countless asbestos products. The sailors on these ships were literally showered with asbestos materials used to construct the sleeping quarters, galleys, and boiler rooms. On top of that, many areas covered with asbestos insulation were easily scratched by moving cargo, as well as corroded from use and wear, which released asbestos particles and dust (and these fibers are easily inhaled and cling to the skin, hair, shoes, and clothing of personnel on board).

Veterans who were involved in renovation and demolition are also at risk for developing mesothelioma. These veterans were exposed to asbestos insulation and materials as they were being fixed or taken out-which caused a significant amount of asbestos fibers to be released into the air they were breathing.

Veterans are not the only group at an elevated risk for mesothelioma. Veterans' families are also stricken with this deadly cancer. Asbestos fibers are very thin, yet very strong, and easily cling to clothing, shoes, skin, and hair. Veterans brought home these fibers to their families, who inhaled the fibers in their own homes. The sad fact is that many individuals who have mesothelioma have no idea how they were exposed. In many of these cases it was secondary exposure; such as through a military family member coming home from their asbestos-laden workplace.

Those with mesothelioma do have the legal option to pursue compensation to cover the costs of medical bills and other losses. There are many mesothelioma lawyers who tackle these cases with great expertise and can often negotiate a settlement by proving liability of the companies and manufacturers responsible for exposure before the case goes to trial. It is expensive to treat a devastating and rare illness like mesothelioma, and asbestos manufacturers are not eager to compensate those with asbestos-related disease. These multi-million dollar companies can afford good lawyers to minimize the amount of compensation they have to pay to victims, which is why it is so imperative that veterans and their families hire a good mesothelioma lawyer to fight for them and what they deserve.

Mesothelioma is a cancer that destroys quality of life and ultimately claims it-compensation won from a mesothelioma case cannot replace these, but it can help financially for those impacted by the mounting cost of this disease. Hiring an expert mesothelioma lawyer can help you achieve compensation to relieve financial burden as you battle this rapacious cancer. The resources at Asbestos.com offer referrals for some of the most experienced mesothelioma lawyers in the country. For more information, please fill out a form on the right or call 1-800-ASBESTOS (1-800-272-3786).

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