Mesothelioma and Navy Veterans
Asbestos companies never warned sailors who served in the Navy that asbestos was harmful. Had they been warned, Navy veterans could have taken proper precautions to protect themselves from getting mesothelioma or lung cancer.
Asbestos on Navy Ships
Asbestos was used on many kinds of equipment on Navy ships. If you worked in a ship’s engine room or boiler room, you would have been exposed to asbestos materials.
Asbestos was used as lagging on pumps, valves, boilers and turbines in engine and boiler rooms. Valves and pumps utilized asbestos gaskets and packing.
What Ships Did You Serve On?
Anyone who worked in the following Navy trades was at high risk of asbestos exposure:
- Boatswain’s mate
- Boilerman, boiler tender, boilermaker, and water tender
- Damage controlman
- Electrician and electrician’s mate
- Engineman
- Fireman
- Gunner’s mate
- Hull maintenance technician
- Instrumentman
- Machinist’s mate
- Pipefitter
- Shipfitter
- Sonarman and sonar technician
- Soundman
- Steamfitter
- Utilitiesman
Whenever asbestos-containing equipment is worked on, it can release microscopic asbestos fibers into the air. These airborne fibers are inhaled and ingested by those in the area – particularly in the poorly ventilated compartments of a ship. Once inhaled, asbestos fibers lodge in the lungs, causing inflammation that can lead to cancer after several decades. Navy veterans may notice symptoms of mesothelioma 15 to 60 years after being exposed.
Asbestos Exposure at Shipyards
As a result, shipyard workers and Navy veterans are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma, a cancer only caused by asbestos, as well as other asbestos-related diseases.
Workers were exposed to asbestos in different areas of the ships and shipyards when installing, inspecting, maintaining, repairing, and replacing boilers, pumps, valves, heaters, turbines, and other equipment.
Select Your Shipyard
Millions of civilian workers and service personnel employed at naval shipyards and commercial shipyards during World War II and the decades after were exposed to asbestos.
As a result, shipyard workers and Navy veterans are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma, a cancer only caused by asbestos, as well as other asbestos-related diseases.
Workers were exposed to asbestos in different areas of the ships and shipyards when installing, inspecting, maintaining, repairing, and replacing boilers, pumps, valves, heaters, turbines, and other equipment.
Types of Mesothelioma Affecting Navy Veterans
Pleural Mesothelioma
Navy veterans most commonly are diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma.
This cancer originates in the thin layer of tissue lining the chest cavity known as the pleura, and develops when the microscopic asbestos fibers are inhaled become lodged in the pleura. Asbestos fibers lodge in the chest cavity, causing inflammation and scarring of lung tissue that over time may cause mutations in cells that lead to cancer.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Navy veterans and shipyard workers also may develop peritoneal mesothelioma.
This form of mesothelioma starts in the tissue lining the abdominal cavity. Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma is much less common than pleural mesothelioma.
Pericardial Mesothelioma
A very rare form of mesothelioma is pericardial mesothelioma, which begins in the tissue surrounding the heart known as the pericardium.
Testicular Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma has also rarely been known to appear in the tunica vaginalis, the lining of the testicles. Wherever the disease originates, mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer.
Legal Help for Navy Veterans
Financial help for Navy veterans with mesothelioma can come both in the form of a legal claim and VA benefits. When you speak with a knowledgeable mesothelioma attorney, he or she will discuss your history in the service to determine where and when you were exposed to asbestos.
Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may be eligible to pursue compensation through:
Asbestos Bankruptcy Funds
These funds were set up by asbestos companies through the bankruptcy process as a means of ensuring that future asbestos victims receive proper payment. Although pursuing compensation from a trust fund is not the same as filing a lawsuit, it is a complex process that a lawyer can help you navigate.
Mesothelioma Settlements and Lawsuits
You may also be able to file a lawsuit against the asbestos company(s) responsible for exposing you to asbestos. The company(s) may decide to settle to avoid the hassle of going to court, or your lawyer may need to argue your case through to a jury verdict.
Mesothelioma Settlements and Lawsuits
If you are a veteran who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos disease, you may be eligible for monthly VA benefits, as well as access to special VA mesothelioma treatment centers.
We can handle all these types of claims on your behalf.
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, millions of service members and civilians on Navy ships and in shipyards during World War II and the decades afterward were exposed to asbestos. Personnel in other branches such as the Marines, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Army were exposed as well.
If you are a Navy veteran or a civilian shipyard worker and recently have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you should learn about your legal right to financial compensation.
Contact us now to answer all your concern about mesothelioma.
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It contains a wealth of information and resources to help you better understand the condition, choose (and afford) appropriate treatment, and exercise your legal right to compensation.
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Last Modified: March 7, 2019
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