Veterans are at an increased risk of developing mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer caused by asbestos.
From dealing with the painful symptoms to confronting the financial burdens of mesothelioma treatment, this devastating cancer can make patients feel isolated and overwhelmed. Thankfully, there are resources available to help.
Mesothelioma veterans may be eligible to pursue financial assistance through two options — benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA benefits) and private legal action.
Many veterans may feel hesitant to pursue legal claims or mesothelioma lawsuits, but doing so can increase the amount of compensation they receive and bring security to their families.
It’s important to remember that mesothelioma legal claims are never filed against the U.S. military or government. Instead, they are filed against the manufacturers of asbestos-containing products. You can still file for VA benefits if you take legal action as well.
Learn more about these two options for mesothelioma financial assistance.
Understanding VA Benefits for Veterans With Mesothelioma
The VA provides a range of benefits for veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma. These benefits are specifically designed to support veterans and their families both medically and financially
VA benefits for veterans with mesothelioma can include:
- Disability compensation: Disability payments provide monthly tax-free compensation to veterans who are unable to work because of their illness. The VA almost always gives mesothelioma a 100% disability rating, which means veterans are eligible for the highest amount of compensation — nearly $4,000 per month.
- VA health care: Veterans can access some of the best mesothelioma doctors for free or at a low cost. For example, Dr. Robert Cameron is a nationally recognized mesothelioma surgeon who works at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center in California.
- Survivor benefits: Surviving family members who lost a loved one to mesothelioma may be eligible for a variety of benefits, including monthly payments known as VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) or one-time payments to help cover funeral and burial costs.
How Do I Apply for Mesothelioma VA Benefits?
Before you apply for VA benefits, you’ll need to gather some documents to support your claim. These can include medical documents showing your diagnosis and your military records detailing where you served and for how long.
You can apply online on the official VA website, but a trusted VA-accredited attorney can also help. If you aren’t sure where to start, the Mesothelioma Veterans Center can help you.
Understanding Mesothelioma Legal Claims for Veterans
For decades, asbestos product manufacturers hid the dangers associated with the material, exposing millions of people.
When the dangers of asbestos became more widely understood, many victims took legal action to get compensation and justice for the negligence that caused them to develop this devastating cancer.
Mesothelioma veterans and their families can pursue two types of legal claims:
- Asbestos trust fund claims: Bankrupt asbestos companies were required to set aside money for people harmed by their products. Since many of these companies provided asbestos products to the military, veterans with an asbestos-related illness may be eligible for some of the $30 billion still available in trust funds today.
- Mesothelioma lawsuits: These claims demand compensation from asbestos companies for the devastation they have caused. Surviving family members may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit if they lost a loved one to mesothelioma. The average settlement for a mesothelioma lawsuit is between $1 million and $1.4 million.
Mesothelioma lawsuits are not filed against the U.S. military or government. Instead, they seek to hold negligent asbestos product manufacturers accountable for the harm they have caused.
Legal claims are filed with the help of a mesothelioma attorney. They will fight to maximize the amount of financial assistance you receive. Compensation can be used to help pay for life-extending treatment and to secure your family’s future.
The best lawyers can file a mesothelioma lawsuit on your behalf and seek asbestos trust fund money for you. In many cases, mesothelioma victims qualify for multiple asbestos trust fund claims. Additionally, VA-accredited lawyers can help you and your family navigate applying for VA benefits.
Will Filing a Mesothelioma Lawsuit Affect My VA Benefits?
No. Filing a mesothelioma lawsuit will not impact your ability to file for VA benefits. If you file a lawsuit, you can still apply for or continue receiving VA benefits. A lawsuit is just one additional way veterans can increase the amount of compensation they receive throughout their fight against mesothelioma.
Helping Veterans With Mesothelioma Claims
As veterans face the devastating effects of mesothelioma, it is crucial to be aware of the different avenues available for assistance. While VA benefits provide vital support, mesothelioma claims offer additional opportunities to obtain compensation.
The Mesothelioma Veterans Center is here to help veterans at every step of their fight against mesothelioma. We have partnered with Eric Hall, a trusted VA-accredited attorney and veterans advocate, who can help veterans receive VA benefits. As a veteran himself, he is dedicated to helping veterans access the VA services they need.
Contact us today to see how we can help you and your family pursue mesothelioma compensation.
The Mesothelioma Veterans Center has no affiliation with and is not endorsed or sponsored by VA oncologist Dr. Robert B. Cameron. The reference above is listed for informational purposes only. You have the right to contact Dr. Cameron directly.
