What Veterans Should Know About Asbestos Claims: Q&A With Sokolove Law Mesothelioma Attorney

For much of the 20th century, every branch of the U.S. military used asbestos in ships, bases, and vehicles. Service members who were exposed to asbestos decades ago are now at risk of developing life-threatening cancers like mesothelioma.

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be emotionally and financially overwhelming, but veterans and their loved ones may be able to access support with the help of an experienced asbestos attorney.

We spoke with Ricky LeBlanc, a VA-accredited mesothelioma lawyer and the managing attorney at Sokolove Law, about how veterans can file an asbestos claim and access VA benefits.

Q: How Were U.S. Veterans Exposed to Asbestos?

A: If you are a U.S. veteran, it’s very likely that you came in contact with asbestos at some point during your service. Asbestos was everywhere. It was used in insulation, brakes, gaskets, construction materials, you name it, and exposure can lead to mesothelioma later in life.

U.S. Navy veterans had especially high rates of exposure due to the amount of asbestos used on ships, but many who served in the Air Force, Marine Corps, Army, and Coast Guard were exposed too.

The sad truth is that many service members didn’t know asbestos posed a serious threat to their health. Manufacturers and suppliers of asbestos-containing materials used by the U.S. military were aware of the health risks associated with asbestos exposure, yet failed to provide adequate warnings to service members or the government, despite the potential harm.

My work at Sokolove Law focuses on helping veterans who are now facing mesothelioma get the benefits they deserve and holding companies accountable through the legal system.

Q: Can Asbestos Lawsuit Attorneys Help Me Get VA Benefits?

A: Yes, absolutely. As long as they're VA-accredited, that means they’re recognized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and can help you prepare and file your VA claim properly.

To access VA benefits for mesothelioma, you’ll need to be able to prove that your asbestos exposure happened during military service. VA-accredited asbestos lawyers can gather key evidence to show this, such as service documents, medical reports related to your diagnosis, and records showing which asbestos-containing products you were exposed to while serving.

Once your VA claim is approved, you can start getting key benefits — things like a monthly disability check for as long as you live, medical coverage, and additional payouts depending on your situation.

Q: Can an Attorney Help Increase My VA Rating?

A: Yes, that’s often possible. For many of our clients, they’re already receiving VA benefits for some other service-related health issues at the time of their mesothelioma diagnosis. In these cases, a VA-accredited attorney can review what’s going on and make sure the disability rating reflects how serious the condition is.

The VA assigns disability compensation amounts based on a rating of 0% to 100%, which measures the impact of an illness on your life. Cancers like mesothelioma or lung cancer are considered 100% disabling, so veterans can get thousands of dollars a month.

Q: Should I File a Lawsuit or VA Claim for Mesothelioma?

A: You don’t have to choose between the two. Veterans with mesothelioma can file lawsuits and VA benefits claims at the same time. I encourage veterans to do both, so they can receive the full compensation they need and deserve.

VA benefits only go so far. Disability checks don’t provide extra compensation for your pain and suffering. And if you pass away, your spouse could get some money through a dependent claim, but these are typically worth much less than what your family received from disability compensation.

That’s why it’s worth it to consider filing a mesothelioma lawsuit too. A lawsuit allows you to pursue much more compensation from the companies responsible for your asbestos exposure, without involving the government or your former employers.

In some cases, we’ve secured millions of dollars for veterans with mesothelioma, helping them address any immediate financial concerns and protect their loved ones down the road.

At the end of the day, it’s important to remember that a mesothelioma diagnosis isn’t your fault. You have every right to pursue both VA benefits and compensation from a lawsuit. You served your country proudly, and companies that exposed you to asbestos should be held accountable.

Q: Is It Hard to File an Asbestos Cancer Lawsuit?

A: Not when you have the right team helping you. When you work with an established mesothelioma law firm like Sokolove Law, filing an asbestos cancer lawsuit is much simpler.

We’ll travel to meet with you at your convenience, typically at your home, to discuss your case. From there, we require very little of your time. We mainly need information that can tell us how you were exposed to asbestos, such as when you served in the military and what your rate, MOS, or job specialty was.

Our firm has spent decades building a massive warehouse of information on different asbestos products, where they were used, and the companies that made them. We’ll use this evidence to show what you were exposed to and file mesothelioma claims against the companies responsible.

Once we file a lawsuit, many clients start receiving compensation within just a few months, with checks coming in for months or even years after that.

Q: What Are the Asbestos Lawsuit Requirements?

A: Some of the key requirements to filing a mesothelioma lawsuit include proof of asbestos exposure, a confirmed mesothelioma diagnosis, and a medical statement linking your illness to the exposure.

While this can seem daunting, remember that the burden of proof isn’t on you — it’s on us. At Sokolove Law, our on-staff investigators help track down exactly which asbestos products you were exposed to. We also have relationships with medical professionals and industry experts, allowing us to prove how asbestos led to your mesothelioma diagnosis.

The firm’s mesothelioma lawyers will then use all of the evidence collected for your case to fight for the compensation you may deserve. And if you’re a U.S. veteran, we may be able to use the information we collect for your asbestos lawsuit to support your VA benefits claim.

Q: When Should I Reach Out to an Asbestos Lawsuit Attorney?

A: The sooner, the better. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, I encourage you to reach out to an asbestos lawsuit attorney right away. Time may not be on your side if you’re looking to pursue a legal claim.

Each state has legal deadlines called statutes of limitations that can prevent you from filing a lawsuit if too much time passes. The deadline varies depending on the state, and the window of time to file can be as short as 1 year in some places.

Calculating your last date to file can be complicated, but an attorney can assess your situation and determine if you’re able to file. Don’t presume you are ineligible, as you could be leaving money on the table.

It’s also a good idea to reach out early if you want a mesothelioma attorney’s help with VA benefits. Because the VA system can be complicated and slow-moving, it can take months to get the benefits you deserve, or even longer if you go it alone and make a mistake when filing.

Bottom line — don’t wait. Reach out now so we can start helping with both your lawsuit and your VA claim at the same time. That way, you and your family can get the support you deserve as soon as possible.

Work With VA-Accredited Asbestos Attorneys Now

The Mesothelioma Veterans Center has partnered with top VA-accredited asbestos attorneys like Ricky LeBlanc to ensure veterans get the benefits and legal compensation they need.

Work with our team to:

• File lawsuits for financial compensation
• Prepare VA claims and maximize your benefits
• Get help finding doctors, treatments, and support

Get a free case review now to find out your eligibility. Our legal partners are standing by to assist you and your family right now.