Mesothelioma & U.S. Army Veterans

Mesothelioma and the U.S. Army

Asbestos use in the United States Army was widespread from the 1930s until the late 1970s, when the dangers of this toxic mineral finally came to light — dangers that many manufacturers intentionally kept hidden for decades.

Their decision to put profit over people’s lives means that today, thousands of retired service members are at risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases like lung cancer and asbestosis.

Fortunately, U.S. Army veterans are eligible to seek financial compensation through asbestos trust funds, mesothelioma lawsuits, and VA benefits.

Veterans make up 1 in 3 of all malignant mesothelioma patients.

Sokolove Law has over 45 years of experience assisting U.S. Army veterans and their families with accessing health care and pursuing justice. Get a free case review today to learn more.

Legal Compensation for Asbestos Exposure in the U.S. Army

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

U.S. Army 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 mesothelioma claim. The majority of lawsuits end in a mesothelioma settlement, and clients may get paid in as few as 90 days.

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

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

VA benefits for Army 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. Army asbestos exposure occurred long ago.

Sokolove Law can help ensure claims are filed quickly and properly, so veterans and their loved ones receive the financial support they deserve.

U.S. Army Veterans & the Risk of Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos was widely used throughout the military to fireproof and insulate everything from U.S. Army vehicles to buildings to protective clothing. This put millions of individuals at risk of being exposed to toxic asbestos fibers.

Risk of U.S. Army asbestos exposure often came from:

• Equipment: Products, tools, and vehicles like tanks often contained asbestos
• Locations: Places where U.S. Army veterans were likely to have encountered airborne asbestos include military bases and barracks
• Occupations: Many roles and responsibilities in the U.S. Army, like mechanics and construction, came with an elevated risk of asbestos exposure

Once the dangers of asbestos were made public in the late 1970s, the U.S. Army and other branches of the U.S. Armed Forces restricted its use and removed as much asbestos as possible from buildings, vehicles, and equipment.

However, thousands were already exposed to toxic asbestos fibers.

U.S. Army veterans exposed decades ago are now at risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases like lung cancer and asbestosis, as it takes 20-50 years for these diseases to develop.

8 U.S. Army Jobs at Risk of Asbestos Exposure

While heavy use of asbestos on U.S. Army bases and other areas meant nearly anyone could be exposed, certain jobs put some U.S. Army service members at an especially high risk of asbestos exposure.

1. Artillery Personnel

Veterans responsible for handling explosives and operating artillery often wore suits and gloves lined with asbestos for protection from hot shells and gun barrels.

2. Construction & Demolition Workers

Anyone involved in the construction or demotion of military bases was likely exposed to dust from buildings that contained asbestos.

3. Firefighters

When a building made with asbestos products caught fire, the fibers could enter the air. U.S. Army firefighters were at risk of accidentally inhaling the fibers while working to put out the fire.

Many military firefighters also risked being exposed to toxic chemicals known as PFAS in firefighting foam, which have been linked to other types of cancer.

4. Insulators

Spray-on asbestos insulation and asbestos-lined materials were used by the military to fire-proof vehicles, naval ships, planes, and structures.

5. Mechanics

Asbestos was used in high-friction items like brake pads and gaskets. U.S. Army engineers and mechanics responsible for vehicle and machine maintenance often worked with these asbestos products.

6. Pipefitters

Because of its durability and heat resistance, many piping materials were made with asbestos. Installing, repairing, and removing these materials often released toxic asbestos fibers into the air.

7. Plumbers

U.S. Army plumbers had to repair or replace pipe systems that contained asbestos. Without care, they could cause asbestos fibers to be released.

8. Tankers

As the asbestos insulation used for fireproofing tanks broke down, asbestos fibers entered the small, poorly circulated interior of the vehicle, exposing those inside.

Asbestos in U.S. Army Barracks & Buildings

Military structures built from 1930-1980 likely contained asbestos, which was mixed into cement, drywall compounds, caulk, and other materials.

Asbestos-containing materials were often used to build:

• Barracks
• Boiler rooms
• Mess halls
• Other U.S. Army buildings

Workers and other individuals near these buildings were exposed to airborne asbestos fibers as building materials were cut and sanded, or during controlled demolition.

Today, asbestos still poses a threat to some active-duty U.S. Army personnel. Older buildings in war zones commonly contain asbestos fibers. If these fibers are disturbed during combat, soldiers may breathe them in and develop serious diseases later on.

Asbestos in Equipment & Products Used by the U.S. Army

U.S. Army veterans who worked on vehicles like jeeps and tanks, heavy machinery, or fabricated parts encountered asbestos on a regular basis, both in the equipment itself and in the protective gear they used while working.

Common asbestos-containing equipment included:

• Braking systems/pads
• Boilers
• Clutch plates
• Construction materials
• Electrical wiring
• Engines
• Floor and ceiling tiles
• Gaskets
• Heating systems
• Insulation
• Paint
• Piping
• Roofing materials
• Shingles
• Wallboard

Sokolove Law has an expansive database of detailed information about these products and the companies that manufactured them.

Even if you are unsure of how you may have been exposed to asbestos in the Army, our mesothelioma lawyers can help determine the source of your exposure — at no out-of-pocket cost to you.

Sokolove Law Helps U.S. Army Veterans with Mesothelioma

The manufacturers of asbestos-containing products hid the truth from the government and the public for profit, and as a result, millions of U.S. Army veterans were exposed to deadly asbestos while serving their country.

Our mesothelioma law firm has helped recover over $5.1 Billion for our clients with mesothelioma — which includes thousands of veterans and their families.

We've also helped thousands of veterans receive health care and financial support by filing VA claims.

We have decades of experience handling asbestos trust fund claims and lawsuits against the companies that manufactured or sold asbestos-containing products — not the U.S. Army or the government.

See if you can file a mesothelioma legal claim now — call (800) 647-3434 or fill out our contact form. Our team is standing by to answer your questions 24/7.

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