Mesothelioma & Veterans

Mesothelioma & Veterans

Connelly Asbestos Law Firm

Veterans & Mesothelioma: Asbestos in the Military


According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, there are currently about 21.5 million living individuals who have served in the United States’ Armed Forces. Hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of these living veterans were exposed to toxic asbestos-containing materials during military service. This has resulted in an elevated rate of asbestos-related diseases in veterans.

In the early 20th century, the U.S. military used large quantities of asbestos products due to their durability, low cost and heat resistance and fireproof capabilities until the products were eventually phased out in the 1970s. However, this has put many U.S. veterans at high risk of later developing an asbestos disease, such as mesothelioma or lung cancer.


Sadly, countless brave men and women in the armed services have been exposed to dangerous asbestos products through their military service.


Yet, it’s important to understand that our lawyers do not sue the military. Instead, we sue the companies that sold the products to the military, because it was the responsibility of these companies to disclose the harmful effects of their products. Instead, these companies chose to hide the truth about their products for fear of losing profits.

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Veterans With an Asbestos-Related Illness


Receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis is difficult since many of the symptoms are indicative of other conditions. Early warning signs such as persistent cough, night sweats, and fever are frequently misdiagnosed as pneumonia or influenza, affording the cancer the opportunity to develop and spread throughout the body.


Veterans who served in the military prior to regulatory actions taken in the 1980s that restricted the use of asbestos may have endured long-term exposure while carrying out a number of duties related to their job functions, including; shipbuilding, welding and various other trades. Exposure was not limited to trade workers. Military base personnel and the family members of servicemen and women have been exposed to asbestos as well.


For veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma, the road is often difficult to find the support necessary to ensure that they are able to receive needed medical care and provide for their basic living needs while dealing with the disease.


If you are a veteran who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos related disease due to exposure during your military service, you may have grounds for a legal claim.


Below is a list of questions that are important to ask if you or a loved one believe that you have been exposed to asbestos in the military and are concerned about asbestos-related illnesses:
• What are the risks of veteran asbestos exposure?
• How can veterans with mesothelioma find support for dealing with the disease?
• How can a lawyer help veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma?
• Does the VA (Veteran’s Administration) provide veteran medical support for mesothelioma patients?

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