According to statistics, more than 30% of Americans suffering from mesothelioma--a deadly asbestos-induced lung cancer--were exposed to asbestos while serving their country. Veterans and shipyard workers face the greatest risk of developing mesothelioma or similar diseases because of the extensive use of asbestos in military equipment and products, buildings, ships, and submarines. This is especially true for veterans who served during or after World War II and before the1970s when the government began regulating use of asbestos.
Sadly, hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of American veterans have suffered exposure to asbestos, putting them at higher risk of developing asbestosis, mesothelioma, or other illness.
Veterans who have been diagnosed with an asbestos-induced lung cancer such as mesothelioma have legal rights and may be able to recover compensation for their losses and suffering. Only an experienced mesothelioma lawyer will know if you have a valid legal claim.
The Risk for Navy Veterans
Asbestos-induced lung cancer is a significant problem among Navy veterans, particularly because the use of asbestos was so very extensive on ships. Virtually no area on a Navy ship built before the 1970s is safe including:
· Fire and engine rooms
· Boiler rooms
· Navigation rooms
· Mess halls
· Sleeping quarters
Additionally, commonly used products such as gaskets, cables, insulation, adhesives, valves, and numerous others contained asbestos. Navy veterans, like other veterans, were prone to carry asbestos dust home on their clothes, thereby exposing their loved ones to the dangerous fibers.
Veterans' Rights
Veterans groups across the country have started taking action to ensure their rights are protected. For instance, some veterans organizations have called on Congress to fund early lung cancer detection programs, which is especially important given the long latency period for mesothelioma--usually 30 to 50 years. Individual veterans, and, in some cases, their families, are filing legal claims to hold responsible parties accountable for the suffering caused by asbestos-induced lung disease.
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