eterans and Mesothelioma: Asbestos in the Military

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, there are 21.5 million people, currently living,  who served in the United States Armed Forces.  There are hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of these veterans who were exposed to toxic asbestos materials during their service to their country.  This has caused an elevated rate of diseases relating to asbestos in veterans.
The military used large quantities of asbestos products in the early 20th century, due to the durability, low cost, heat resistance and fireproof capabilities of the product.  Many U.S. veterans were exposed to an extremely large amount of asbestos while serving their country.  This exposure has led to the diagnosis of asbestos-related health conditions in all branches of the military.
Mesothelioma lawyers are not suing the military.  The asbestos companies who sold the products to the military are the ones being sued.   It was their responsibility to disclose what all of the harmful effects of their products were.  Instead, those companies hid the truth about the harmful effects of asbestos.

Veterans with an Asbestos-Related Illness

It is difficult to obtain a mesothelioma diagnosis, since the symptoms are associated with other conditions as well.  There are early warning signs, such as a persistent cough, shortness of breath and fatigue, but those symptoms can be misdiagnosed as influenza or pneumonia.  This affords the cancer an opportunity to spread and develop throughout the body.
The Veterans who served prior to the regulations established in the 1980s, restricting the use of asbestos, may have experienced long-term exposure in their duties.  This exposure was not just limited to the trade workers; military personnel and family members of the servicemen and women have also been exposed to asbestos.
It is often challenging to find the necessary support for those veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, in ensuring they are receiving proper medical care and have their basic living needs supported while dealing with the disease.  If you are a veteran who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or any other disease related to asbestos, due to exposure during your service to the military, you may have grounds for a legal claim.  The Chicago mesothelioma lawyers of Connelly & Vogelzang can provide you with a free consultation to discuss your case.
There are important questions to ask if you or a loved one believe you have been exposed to asbestos while in the military and are concerned about asbestos-related illnesses:

• What are the risks of asbestos exposure to veterans?
• How can veterans who have mesothelioma find support for dealing with the disease?
• How can a mesothelioma lawyer help veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma?
• Does the VA (Veteran’s Administration) provide veteran medical support for mesothelioma patients?