Why Are Veterans at Risk of Mesothelioma?

U.S. veterans served their country with pride, and many risked their lives to protect our freedom and values. Yet each year, veterans across the country are put in danger from a cancer called mesothelioma that may stem from military asbestos exposure.

With Mesothelioma Awareness Day at the end of September, we’re working to do our part to spread the word about the risks that this cancer poses to U.S. veterans.

We sat down with Major Jonathan Nelson, who is a VA-accredited attorney and U.S. veteran, to discuss the risks that mesothelioma poses to veterans, how we’re able to help those diagnosed, and more.

Get our Free Veterans Packet for a comprehensive look at how we support veterans, including accessing treatments, filing for VA benefits, and pursuing compensation.

What are the risks of exposure to asbestos in the military?

If service members come into contact with asbestos, they run the risk of developing mesothelioma or other serious asbestos-related diseases later in life.

From the 1930s to the early 1980s, the U.S. military used asbestos in many products, such as building materials like insulation, gaskets, pipes, and more. The military thought asbestos was a cheap and safe way to insulate bases, ships, and other assets.

We now know that working with asbestos could release fibers, and if you were exposed, it could lead to cancers like mesothelioma 10-50 years later.

But the military and those serving didn’t know how dangerous asbestos was because manufacturers of asbestos products hid the dangers.

What happens if you inhale asbestos?

If you breathe in asbestos fibers, they can get trapped in your body and cause long-term harm, eventually triggering cancer in some cases.

Asbestos is made up of tiny, sharp fibers that can look like needles under a microscope. If you breathe them in, they can become trapped in the body and cause inflammation and damage over time.

It can take 10-50 years or more for asbestos-related damage to cause cells to mutate and become cancerous. That’s why many U.S. veterans are only now being diagnosed with mesothelioma after exposure that happened decades ago.

Because of this latency period, or time between exposure and first symptoms, you may not remember exactly how you were exposed to asbestos. And that’s okay.

We have a warehouse’s worth of information and databases showing which vessels, job sites, and products typically used asbestos. We use this to fill in the blanks, determining where you may have been exposed to asbestos while serving.

How many veterans have mesothelioma?

About 1,000 U.S. veterans are diagnosed with mesothelioma per year due to high rates of military asbestos exposure. In fact, a third of all mesothelioma patients served their country.

We see the greatest rates of mesothelioma among U.S. Navy veterans. Practically every Navy ship built from the 1930s to the early 1980s used asbestos for insulation and fireproofing.

Because of this, Navy asbestos exposure was all too common, particularly among boiler tenders, engine room workers, and pipefitters.

Those who served on Air Force bases or Army bases are at a greater risk of mesothelioma today as well. Military bases throughout the country relied on asbestos construction materials, which put some service members at risk of everyday exposure.

Am I eligible for VA benefits for mesothelioma?

Yes, you may be eligible for mesothelioma VA benefits if you can prove that your diagnosis stems from being exposed to asbestos materials while you served.

Essential VA benefits available for mesothelioma include compensation worth $4,158.17 monthly, free or inexpensive medical care, and support for surviving family members.

The VA typically grants mesothelioma veterans a 100% disability rating, allowing veterans to get the highest monthly payouts and free medical treatment within the VA health care system.

Navigating the asbestos VA claims process and proving how you may have been exposed can be challenging, to say the least. But, I’m here to help you file for the benefits you deserve for free. Reach out to me now to get started.

Can I file claims for mesothelioma?

Yes, it’s possible to file multiple claims for mesothelioma to potentially get even more money than what’s available from VA disability compensation.

There are two main options: asbestos trust fund claims and mesothelioma lawsuits. Many veterans I work with are wary of anything involving lawyers, and that’s totally understandable. If you’re interested only in filing for VA benefits, we’ll respect that, full stop.

With that said, it’s important to know that legal claims for mesothelioma typically award over $1 million — and you don’t have to sue the military or government. Your VA benefits package isn’t affected, either.

Asbestos trust fund claims also allow you to get money without a lawsuit, and there’s over $30 billion currently available across many trusts.

We’ve partnered with the asbestos law firms Simmons Hanly Conroy and Sokolove Law, which have veterans and VA-accredited lawyers on staff to help you and other veterans get what you deserve. Experienced lawyers do all the legal work on your behalf, so there’s no extra pressure or hassle.

How much do mesothelioma victims get?

This depends on which financial options you pursue after a diagnosis. The VA, by law, can only give you so much money. There may be a lot more money available through a mesothelioma lawsuit filed against companies that produced asbestos products.

Every case is different, but many receive $1 million or more when working with our legal partners to file mesothelioma lawsuits.

Mesothelioma compensation can be life-changing. You can use the money for anything, like affording medical bills, setting up trusts to keep your family’s finances secure, or taking a much-needed vacation.

Also, the first payouts typically come quickly, often within 90 days of filing a lawsuit. This means your family can start getting money for immediate costs or worries even before VA disability compensation is approved.

Is filing a military asbestos lawsuit hard?

Considering legal action on top of the stress of a mesothelioma diagnosis can be scary, or downright overwhelming. But the reality is filing a military asbestos lawsuit is much easier with our team behind you.

The term "military asbestos lawsuits" is a bit of a misnomer. We don’t sue the military or government. We only pursue compensation from the companies that made asbestos products and failed to disclose the health risks.

The folks at our partner law firms, Sokolove Law and Simmons Hanly Conroy, will take care of virtually everything, from gathering evidence and filing the lawsuit to negotiating mesothelioma settlements on your behalf.

Sokolove Law and Simmons make the process easier because they’ve been handling asbestos claims for decades. They also have attorneys, paralegals, investigators, registered nurses, and VA-accredited agents such as myself to cover all aspects of a claim.

And, although they’re able to help clients in all 50 states, it’ll still feel like you’re working with a small firm since your team will focus specifically on you.

We’re Here to Support U.S. Veterans With Mesothelioma

U.S. veterans never deserve to develop serious illnesses like mesothelioma. However, due to the negligence of asbestos companies, veterans continue to be diagnosed with mesothelioma every year.

At the Mesothelioma Veterans Center, we work to support veterans and families in getting the resources needed after a diagnosis. Major Nelson and the rest of our team are standing by to assist you.

Work with us to:

File for mesothelioma VA benefits
More easily understand treatment options
Pursue compensation
Access additional resources for your family

Call (877) 450-8973 or get a Free Veterans Packet to learn more about how we can assist U.S. veterans like you.