It is currently estimated that up to one-third of the individuals suffering from malignant mesothelioma, a deadly cancer directly caused by asbestos exposure, are veterans of the U.S. armed forces who served between 1940 and 1970.   Asbestos was once considered a “miracle material” due to its durability and versatility, as well as its fire-retardant and friction-resistant qualities.

Before the discovery of its more hazardous properties, asbestos seemed a very useful and effective insulator and was utilized by the U.S. Military in the form of plumbing and wiring insulation.  It was also applied in fire and engine rooms, boiler rooms, and products such as adhesives, gaskets, valves, and cables.  As a result, many veterans were exposed to asbestos on the job as they worked with the asbestos-containing components of buildings, ships, and vehicles.

In recent years, a great deal of confusion has surrounded the relationship between veterans suffering from asbestos-related illnesses and the proposed Fairness in Asbestos Injury Resolution (FAIR) act trust fund legislation of 2005.  Because they cannot sue the government, many veterans and their families are under the impression that an asbestos trust fund is the only means through which they can receive compensation for asbestos injuries incurred during their military service.  However, there are other entities legally responsible for their exposure to asbestos, and veterans have rights when it comes to holding companies that were liable for their asbestos exposure accountable for their negligence.

It is important to understand that asbestos products were not manufactured by the U.S. government; rather, they were purchased from asbestos manufacturers through government contracts.  As a result, thousands of veterans have received restitution through the tort system by suing asbestos manufacturing companies. Military veterans need to be made aware of their potential entitlement to compensation if they have developed an asbestos-related illness, as any restitution may be extremely beneficial as a means of financing medical expenses.

Mesothelioma treatment options vary depending on the patient’s condition.  Due to the extreme latency period between the time of exposure and the eventual diagnosis, many individuals exposed to asbestos fibers are not aware of their illness until they are already in the advanced stages of asbestos-related cancer.Veterans or individuals suffering from an asbestos disease should contact an asbestos attorney to get more information about their particular situation.  For additional information, please contact The Asbestos and Mesothelioma Center.

By Kaylen Myrick

This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 15th, 2008 at 4:34 pm and is filed under Asbestos Exposure, Asbestos Legislation, Asbestos Litigation, Mesothelioma, Mesothelioma Treatment. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS feed. Responses are currently closed, but you trackback from your own site.