Beginning in the 1930s,U.S. Navy ships were constructed with many parts that contained asbestos. As conflicts around the world necessitated the need to institute a military draft, many Americans and Arizona Navy Veterans were potentially exposed to asbestos fibers as a result of their service to the country. While all branches of the military used products that contained asbestos, it was most prevalent in the Navy due to its use in the building of ships.
Dangers of Asbestos
A person exposed to asbestos fibers is placed at an increased risk to develop cancer, particularly mesothelioma. However, the effects of exposure often do not become apparent until many years (or, in some cases, decades) have passed. As a result, it is entirely possible that health issues that appear today are actually the result of exposure to asbestos fibers that occurred during military service in the middle of the 1900s. The use of asbestos, including for the building of ships, was for the most part discontinued in the 1970s.
Asbestos in Ships
The potential health risks associated with exposure to asbestos fibers outweigh the benefits that asbestos provides. But, before those risks were known, the benefits of asbestos made it a preferred product, particularly in industrial settings. Asbestos was common in the construction of naval ships because it is fire resistant and provides strength, traits that are critical due to the combat danger that these types of ships encounter.
It is important to note that individuals who were assigned to ships, as well as people working in shipyards, may have been exposed to asbestos fibers. The amount of asbestos used varies depending upon the particular ship. But, regardless of the type, almost every ship built between the 1930s and 1970s contained some level of asbestos.
Compensation
One possible method of recovery for injuries sustained as a result of exposure to asbestos fibers is to file a lawsuit against the manufacturers of the products used in the building of the ship the victim worked on or helped build. A common suit alleges that products were defectively designed because they contained asbestos and did not have warnings of asbestos-related health risks. These manufacturers can be discovered through Navy records and repair logs.
Another way that veterans can obtain compensation for their asbestos-related health issues is through the Department of Veteran's Affairs (VA)service-connected compensation benefits. The VA considers mesothelioma a disabling condition. In order to qualify, the veteran must:
- Not have been dishonorably discharged;
- Have been exposed to asbestos during his or her military service; and
- Have a disease or disability related to asbestos exposure that occurred during military service.
We can Help
At the Throneberry Law Group, we have experience helping Arizona Navy Veterans from the Arizona cities of Phoenix, Tucson, Mesa, Chandler, Glendale, Scottsdale, Gilbert Tempe and Peoria, to name a few, obtain compensation for health issues related to asbestos fiber exposure, including mesothelioma. If you are in this position, contact our law office today by calling 480-605-4967 or schedule a free initial consultation with us online to discuss your situation with one of our attorneys. We will work compassionately to help you recover the compensation you need.