Mesothelioma Attorney US Navy Veterans

For many military members and their families, asbestos exposure occurred on U.S. Navy ships or at Navy installations worldwide. After years or even decades have passed, some individuals develop asbestos-related illnesses due to their exposure to the substance aboard Navy vessels and in other Navy facilities.

Asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma can be fatal, cause severe pain, and drain patients’ finances. Perhaps worst of all is that many of the companies that manufactured asbestos-containing products knew of the material’s inherent risks but failed to warn the public, placing their shareholders ahead of the people who dedicated their lives to the service of their country in the Navy.

If you or someone in your family contracted an asbestos-related illness after serving in the U.S. Navy or living in the same household as someone who did, get help from Ward Black Law today. Our North Carolina asbestos attorneys have recovered significant compensation for people like you. We want you to have the justice and financial security you deserve. Let us handle all the legal work in your case while you spend time with your family and take care of other matters.

Contact our office right now for a free case review.

The History of Asbestos in the U.S. Navy

Asbestos is a naturally occurring, fibrous mineral with excellent insulating and fire-resistant qualities. It can also lead to deadly illnesses if inhaled or ingested. Before the general public knew about the dangers of asbestos exposure, you could find it everywhere, from homes and schools to power plants and factories. Given its insulating and fireproofing qualities, asbestos had many practical applications for the U.S. Navy, which used the material extensively in its ships and bases.

By the late 1970s, when the general public discovered how dangerous asbestos was, the U.S. Navy had already been using it for decades. Accordingly, many Navy personnel and their families were exposed to asbestos, some over the course of many years, putting them at heightened risk of fatal diseases like mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. Many countries have banned asbestos completely, but the U.S. has not followed suit so far, leaving many people at risk of developing asbestos-related illnesses.

Asbestos Exposure in the U.S. Navy

As asbestos-containing products wear down, they release tiny asbestos fibers into the air, where they can be inadvertently inhaled or ingested by people working around them. The fibers can even become lodged in fabric and be carried home on uniforms, putting family members at risk of exposure.

Once the asbestos fibers enter the body, they often become lodged in the mesothelium, a thin tissue layer surrounding internal organs like the lungs, heart, stomach, and testicles. The body can’t break down the asbestos fibers, leading to inflammation that, in turn, causes illnesses like mesothelioma (a type of cancer that affects the mesothelium), lung cancer and asbestosis, a scarring of lunch tissue

It can take decades before someone exposed to asbestos shows any symptoms, which makes it difficult to trace the route of exposure. However, the Department of Veterans Affairs lists several groups that are more likely to develop asbestos-related illnesses. These groups include:

• Navy personnel or civilian construction workers involved in demolition work or who removed asbestos-containing materials from Navy bases.
• Any Navy personnel who served on ships with keels laid before 1983
• Any Navy veterans who worked in shipyards from the 1930s to the 1990s, when the Navy often used materials containing asbestos to build ships
• Any Navy veterans who primarily worked below decks before the 1990s, as the Navy often used asbestos to insulate ships’ interiors
• Navy veterans who either removed asbestos materials from engine rooms or used asbestos paste to insulate pipes
• Pipefitters, boiler operators, demolition specialists, or building renovators who worked in buildings containing asbestos
• Navy personnel who served abroad in areas with older buildings that might have contained asbestos

Which Navy Products Contained Asbestos?

The Navy previously used many products that contained asbestos, from insulating paste for pipes to fireproofing materials for ships and buildings. Certain lubricants used to contain asbestos to create a smooth surface and reduce friction. Many homes and other buildings on Navy bases also used asbestos for insulation or fireproofing.

If you served in the Navy and performed construction, renovation, or demolition work, there is a decent chance you handled a product containing asbestos. Contact our mesothelioma lawyers for more information about your legal rights.

How Can Navy Veterans Seek Mesothelioma, Lung Cancer, or Asbestosis Benefits?

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans exposed to asbestos can claim mesothelioma benefits if they meet two conditions. First, they must show their asbestos exposure occurred during their military service. Second, they must have received an honorable discharge.

If the VA accepts your claim, it should cover your medical treatment and provide additional compensation.

In addition to benefits from the VA, individuals who have developed asbestos-related diseases after exposure in the Navy could be entitled to significant compensation from other sources, such as the companies responsible for manufacturing and distributing asbestos products.

Compensation for Navy Veterans Impacted by Asbestos Exposure

In addition to claiming VA benefits for asbestos exposure, Navy veterans might be able to pursue additional compensation from many sources including asbestos trust claims and claims against solvent manufacturers and distributors. Our asbestos attorneys can help you pursue product liability claims against many companies that sold products containing asbestos to the Navy and other parties responsible for your exposure.

If you win your personal injury case, you could receive money for your:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Diminished quality of life
• Emotional distress

What Should I Do If I Think I Was Exposed to Asbestos During My Service in the Navy?

If you suspect you have lung problems, mesothelioma, or cancer after exposure to asbestos in the Navy, contact our Navy asbestos exposure attorneys immediately. Our asbestos lawyers can explain your legal options and pursue claims for you, giving you the best chance of recovering maximum compensation. The sooner you get in touch with us, the sooner we can get to work pursuing the money you deserve.

How Can I Prove That My Health Problems Are Due to Asbestos Exposure in the Navy?

Our experienced asbestos lawyers know how to find the evidence you need and how to turn it into a compelling case. That evidence could include:

• Your medical records
• Your service history
• Navy product records
• Navy records related to machinery such as boilers, turbines, and pipes that were often covered in asbestos.