Understanding Asbestos Exposure and Your Rights: A Guide for US Army Veterans
With its significant anti-corrosive and insulating properties, asbestos was featured widely in US military equipment, weapons, and structures. However, asbestos is now accepted as being carcinogenic to humans, meaning it may be linked to cancer.
If you served in the US Army, particularly before the 1980s, there’s a significant risk you were exposed to asbestos. Below, our asbestos attorneys explain what this means for ex-service members and what legal rights they may have for asbestos diseases.
How the US Army Used Asbestos
Given its versatility, asbestos was widely used in the US Army. Service men and women could have been exposed even if they didn’t handle asbestos directly. Asbestos could be found in:
- Barracks
- Artillery gloves
- Insulation
- Pipes
- Wiring
- Ceiling and floor tiling
- Plumbing systems
It was commonly used for fireproofing, so it would also be found in armored vehicles.
The Risks of Asbestos Exposure
Due to its fibrous nature, asbestos produces dust when disturbed. When inhaled or ingested, the airborne fibers settle in the body’s tissues. This includes the thin tissue lining the body’s critical organs, including the lungs, heart, reproductive organs, and digestive tract.
Over time, after repeated exposure, the level of asbestos in the body can present a cancer risk. And in some cases, occasional but very high-risk exposure to asbestos may be enough to pose a threat. Madeksho Law Firm can assist if you believe you were exposed to asbestos as a US Army service member, even if you’re not sure how frequently you were exposed.
Asbestos Injuries
Asbestos-related diseases and injuries include respiratory conditions such as asbestosis. The most serious complication is mesothelioma, which is a cancer of organ tissue lining.
Mesothelioma can develop in various locations, including the lungs and abdomen. Typically, there’s a very poor prognosis. In most cases, mesothelioma is fatal.
Secondary Asbestos Exposure and Family Claims
US Army veterans’ families are also at risk due to secondary asbestos exposure. Household members may have been exposed inadvertently through, for example, fibers shed from army uniforms and other textiles. In some cases, this exposure may be significant enough to cause asbestos disease – although it may not manifest for a decade or two.
Madeksho Law Firm can help if you think you may have a secondary exposure claim.
Compensation for Asbestos Exposure in the US Army
If you have military asbestos exposure and you develop an asbestos disease or mesothelioma, you deserve compensation for the harm suffered. Veterans have two main options: pursuing VA benefits and making a civil compensation claim.
- Veteran Benefits: VA benefits are a disability claim payable to military personnel with an asbestos-related injury connected to their employment. Depending on the extent of your disability, you may be entitled to further benefits, e.g., health care.
- Civil Compensation: A civil claim allows you to claim damages for asbestos-related injuries. You can sue those responsible for harm, e.g., a manufacturing company. Even if the company is now bankrupt, trust funds exist to compensate injured military personnel.
Pursuing compensation or benefits following asbestos exposure in the US Army is not easy. However, our team can walk you through the process. Contact us to discuss your injuries.
How Experienced Asbestos Exposure Lawyers Can Help
Madeksho Law Firm, with its deep understanding of asbestos-related issues affecting military veterans, offers guidance and legal support. Whether you're a veteran dealing with an asbestos-related disease or a family affected by military asbestos exposure, we are dedicated to pursuing justice through all available civil remedies.
If you're seeking assistance or information about your rights, contact Madeksho Law. We are committed to fighting for the justice you and your loved ones deserve. We have been helping victims of asbestos exposure since 1972.
Call now at 888-910-6376 or contact us online to schedule your free meeting.
