Friday, September 18, 2009

Asbestos Induced Lung Cancer Pervasive in Veterans

According to statistics, more than 30% of Americans suffer from mesothelioma, a deadly asbestos-caused lung cancer who were exposed to asbestos while serving their country. Veterans and shipyard workers in the highest risk for developing mesothelioma or similar diseases because of the extensive use of asbestos in military equipment and products, buildings, ships and submarines. This is especially true for veterans who served during and after the Second World War andin the1970s, when the government began regulating the use of asbestos.

Unfortunately, hundreds of thousands if not millions of American veterans suffered from asbestos exposure, by a higher risk of developing asbestosis, mesothelioma, or another illness.

Veterans who are diagnosed with an asbestos-induced lung cancer and mesothelioma have been certain rights and may be able to recover compensation for their losses and suffering. Only an experiencedmesothelioma lawyer will know if you have a valid legal claim.

The Risk for Navy Veterans

Asbestos-induced lung cancer is a significant problem among Navy veterans, particularly because the use of asbestos was so very extensive on ships. Virtually no area on a Navy ship built before the 1970s is safe including:

· Fire and engine rooms

· Boiler rooms

· Navigation rooms

· Mess halls

· Sleeping quarters

Additionally, commonly used products such as gaskets, pipes, insulation, adhesives, valves, and many others contain asbestos. Navy veterans, like other veterans vulnerable to asbestos dust home on their clothes to wear, making them members of the dangerous fibers.

Veterans' Rights

Veterans groups across the country have begun to take measures to ensure that their rights protected. For example, some veterans' organizations have called on Congress to fund earlyLung Cancer Program, which is particularly important given the long latency period for mesothelioma is usually between 30 and 50 years. Individual veterans, and in some cases, their families are filing legal claims to hold those responsible accountable for the suffering caused by asbestos lung disease.



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