Veterans and Asbestos Exposure
Approximately 3,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma annually. Of the 3,000 diagnosed, 30 percent are veterans of the Navy, Army and other military branches. This is due to the large amount of asbestos being used in the military. For example, between 1930 and 1970, asbestos-containing materials were in boiler rooms, sleeping quarters, piping, roofing, flooring, and general insulation exposing millions of servicemen to the hazards of asbestos.
Asbestos can take years to make someone sick. Upon inhalation, the asbestos particles find its way deep into the lung tissues where they sit dormant for decades before turning into cancer. It can take 15 to 35 years before symptoms manifest and cause mesothelioma, lung cancer or asbestosis.
Military servicemen who served in World War II, Korean and Vietnam War have the highest risk of asbestos exposure. After 1970, the government began to strip asbestos from areas that were prone to human exposure.
Although some Veterans' exposure to asbestos may have occurred during time in the service, they cannot sue the government. However, as a Veteran, you can seek financial compensation from the companies who manufactured the asbestos for negligence. The reason you can sue these companies is because they knew their products were dangerous, but hid the information from the serviceman, consumers and the government.
Many of the companies who manufactured the asbestos-containing products are still in operation today, with funds available for sick veterans to recover.
