Mesothelioma & U.S. Air Force Veterans

Mesothelioma in the U.S. Air Force

United States Air Force veterans have served bravely and selflessly since the 1940s. However, many service members were unaware they faced an unseen enemy while they served: asbestos.

Up until the 1980s, the use of asbestos was widespread on U.S. Air Force bases. It also was used in jets, propeller planes, helicopters, and other aircraft equipment.

When the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) introduced bans on certain uses of asbestos, the U.S. Air Force started taking precautionary measures of their own — but not before the damage had already been done.

Call Sokolove Law right now at (800) 647-3434 if you've been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease.

Today, U.S. Air Force veterans are at an increased risk of developing asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer. Mesothelioma affects the linings of major organs and has no cure.

Sokolove Law has over 45 years of experience assisting U.S. Air Force veterans and their families access health care and pursue justice for their exposure to asbestos. Get a free case review today to learn more.

Legal Compensation for Asbestos Exposure in the U.S. Air Force

Many companies that manufactured asbestos-containing products knew of the dangers that asbestos caused to human health. However, they chose to hide this information from the U.S. government and military to prioritize their profits over people's lives.

U.S. Air Force veterans may be eligible to file for mesothelioma compensation from the companies and manufacturers responsible for their asbestos exposure.

U.S. Air Force veterans may receive financial compensation from:

• Asbestos trust funds: Bankrupt asbestos-related companies established special court-ordered trust funds to compensate current and future asbestos exposure victims and their family members.
• Mesothelioma lawsuits: Veterans can sue asbestos-related companies that are still in business by filing a personal injury or wrongful death claim. The majority of lawsuits end in a mesothelioma settlement, and clients may start getting paid in as few as 90 days.

Many U.S. Air Force veterans with mesothelioma can receive money from asbestos trust funds and mesothelioma lawsuits without ever even having to step foot in court.

Filing a mesothelioma claim can help pay for medical bills, provide financial security for your family, and hold asbestos-related companies accountable.

It is important to note that taking legal action against these companies will not impact your ability to receive VA benefits. 

In the wake of a mesothelioma diagnosis, it is crucial for veterans to maximize their resources.

Call (800) 647-3434 or fill out our contact form to see if you may be entitled to compensation.

VA Benefits for Mesothelioma

U.S. Air Force veterans diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma may also be entitled to benefits provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

VA benefits for U.S. Air Force veterans with mesothelioma include:

• Disability compensation
• Special Monthly Compensation (SMC)
• VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (VA DIC)
• VA health care

Mesothelioma typically qualifies for 100% coverage on the VA’s disability scale.

To qualify for mesothelioma VA benefits, veterans will need to file a claim for disability benefits and provide documentation proving that their cancer developed due to asbestos exposure during their military service.

Filing a successful VA benefits claim can be a complex process, especially if a veteran’s U.S. Air Force asbestos exposure occurred long ago.

Our VA-accredited lawyers will work to ensure claims are filed quickly and properly, so veterans and their loved ones receive the financial support they deserve.

Asbestos Exposure in the U.S. Air Force

Asbestos products were used in many U.S. Air Force aircraft, hangars, cargo bays, barracks, and offices — some of which housed tens of thousands of airmen, their families, and civilians.

As a result, thousands of people are now being diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma.

Historically, the U.S. Air Force also used asbestos in virtually all of its aircraft, putting service members at risk while in the skies.

Asbestos in U.S. Air Force Aircraft

U.S. Air Force planes often contained asbestos, which was damaged or worn-down over time.

Aircraft parts that used asbestos included, but were not limited to:

• Brakes
• Cargo bay insulation
• Clutches
• Cockpit heating systems
• Electrical insulation
• Electrical wiring
• Engine heat shields
• Engine insulation
• Gaskets
• Jet exhausts
• Torque valves

Pilots and aircraft mechanics spent the most time working with these aircraft parts, thus placing them at a high risk of exposure to asbestos.

Asbestos in U.S. Air Force Bases

Asbestos was used in nearly every U.S. Air Force base for most of the 20th century. However, the asbestos fibers only posed a risk if they were disturbed.

Dangerous exposure could occur if building construction or repairs released microscopic asbestos fibers into the air. If this happened, those nearby could breathe in the fibers without notice and eventually get sick.

Asbestos products that may have exposed U.S. Air Force workers included, but are not limited to:

• Adhesives, coatings, and paints
• Floor and ceiling tiles
• Drywall and roofing
• Electrical wiring
• Fireproofing materials
• Furnaces
• HVAC systems
• Insulation for pipes
• Soundproofing panels
• Vehicle parts
• Wall and ceiling insulation

9 U.S. Air Force Jobs Affected by Asbestos

Certain roles in the U.S. Air Force exposed some service members to asbestos more than others. A few of these jobs, listed below, saw servicemen come into daily contact with asbestos.

1. Aircraft Mechanic

Spending most of their time in shops and hangars, U.S. Air Force mechanics worked and performed dangerous activities. The replacement of asbestos-containing brake pads was a particularly common and dangerous task.

2. Aviation Machinist’s Mate

Aviation machinist’s mates normally performed routine engine maintenance and prepared aircraft for flight. However, they also had to test, repair, and overhaul engines and propellers.

This meant they worked on high-temperature machinery and used tools fitted with asbestos pads.

3. Boiler Tender

Boiler tenders regularly replaced asbestos-based boiler components like gaskets, heat jackets, and sealants. They also chipped away at damaged asbestos-containing materials, accidentally releasing the fibers into hot and cramped spaces in the process.

4. Gunner’s Mate

Also known as GMs, gunner’s mates maintained the armament systems and explosive devices on aircraft. They also operated machines like smoke screen generators.

For all duties, they were required to wear heat-protective gloves made with asbestos. These gloves prevented burns but released deadly fibers with wear and tear. Additional exposure came from parts of the aircraft damaged under fire.

5. HVAC Specialist

HVAC specialists installed, repaired, and replaced heating and cooling systems on a regular basis to keep them running efficiently.

This exposed them to a number of high-temperature materials like steam pipes, compressors, and cooling tower equipment — all fireproofed with asbestos. Their workplaces were confined and enclosed, increasing their risk of inhaling asbestos fibers.

6. Pilot

Pilots were at risk of asbestos exposure just from operating the equipment that mechanics repaired.

Sadly, they were not only at risk of exposure from planes or aircraft. Pilots often visited hangars and office spaces where they were exposed to materials like fireproofing and drywall.

7. Plumber or Pipefitter

Plumbers and pipefitters installed and repaired pipe systems for boiler controls, hydraulic systems, and pneumatic systems both on land and on different aircraft.

They were likely exposed to asbestos through many common activities, like cutting into old pipelines, stripping away cement pipe from corroded water lines, and insulating boiler fireboxes.

8. Vehicle Manager

The U.S. Air Force uses specialized vehicles for different maintenance needs on their bases. Vehicle managers were responsible for inspecting, troubleshooting, and repairing these vehicles.

This gave them routine, hands-on access to damaged — and thus high-risk — clutch facings, brake shoes, linings, and other materials built with asbestos for its anti-friction properties.

9. Welder

In the U.S. Air Force, welders are responsible for making and repairing the metal components critical to aircraft function.

In general, welders were known to face more hazards than most. They could have been exposed to asbestos not only in products like welding rods, but also from excessive smoke, metal splinters, and toxic dust.

Modern Day Asbestos Exposure in the U.S. Air Force

Though newer aircraft and military bases are no longer built with asbestos, there remains an exposure risk even today.

Some U.S. Air Force buildings that were made with asbestos-containing construction materials are still currently in use. Some boilers and auto parts can also contain asbestos today despite government warnings.

Sokolove Law: Help for U.S. Air Force Veterans with Mesothelioma

If you or a loved one was diagnosed with mesothelioma, you can pursue justice and financial compensation through asbestos trust funds, VA benefits, and lawsuits.

As a nationwide mesothelioma law firm, Sokolove Law offers free legal case reviews and has over 45 years of experience defending veterans and their families.

Our experienced mesothelioma lawyers have helped recover over $5.1 Billion for our clients with mesothelioma. Our team has also helped thousands of veterans receive health care and financial support.

Contact us today by calling (800) 647-3434 or filling out our contact form for a free legal case review.