Legal Options for Veterans Diagnosed with Mesothelioma

US military veterans who develop mesothelioma may be entitled to legal and financial compensation through lawsuits and asbestos trust fund claims, in addition to veterans' benefits. If you decide to move forward with hiring a mesothelioma lawyer, they can file these legal claims on your behalf against the asbestos companies responsible for your exposure.

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Legal Rights for Veterans With Mesothelioma

Asbestos is a human carcinogen (cancer-causing substance) and the only known cause of mesothelioma, a rare cancer that affects the mesothelium (the lining of the lungs, heart, and abdomen). The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission restricted the use of asbestos in some products in the 1970s, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned any “new use” of the material in 1989. But asbestos is still used in some products in the U.S., as well as overseas. Veterans negligently exposed to asbestos during their time of service have legal rights.

Each year, more than 3,300 patients are diagnosed with mesothelioma in the U.S., and nearly a third of those patients (around 30 percent) are military veterans.

Veterans and Mesothelioma

Former servicemembers are especially at risk of developing mesothelioma because asbestos was used by the military on bases and in ships, submarines, vehicles, and aircraft. Many veterans went on to work in industries with a high likelihood of hazardous exposure after their service ended, such as construction, factories, industrial work, or aircraft or vehicle maintenance. Some also became first responders (such as police officers, firefighters, or EMTs) — another group of professionals with a heightened risk of exposure.

If you are a veteran or former servicemember who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may want to apply for veterans benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). These may include disability benefits and reimbursement for medical costs for living veterans or survivor benefits (also called “dependency” or “indemnity compensation”) for family members of veterans who have already passed.

However, most veterans are also eligible to pursue legal action against the asbestos companies responsible for their exposure and illness. Veterans have legal rights. Those with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or other asbestos-related diseases include personal injury lawsuits, wrongful death lawsuits, and asbestos trust fund claims.

How to File a Legal Claim

If you are a veteran who developed mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure during military service or on the job, you are likely entitled to financial compensation from one or multiple asbestos companies.

You will not be pursuing legal action against the U.S. military itself. It was the companies’ responsibility to alert the military about the dangers of asbestos and avoid exposing America’s servicemembers and workers to this deadly mineral.

The idea of taking legal action may seem intimidating, but an experienced mesothelioma lawyer can help you with the process and ensure that you receive the largest settlement possible. In the majority of cases, your mesothelioma attorney will travel to you to ask questions and take your statement. Although it may take time to resolve your claim and receive your financial compensation, it’s unlikely that you will need to travel or ever enter a courtroom.

Veterans who were diagnosed with mesothelioma may be eligible for VA compensation. To find out if you qualify, speak with a patient advocate today.

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Types of Mesothelioma Lawsuits

To begin the legal process, your lawyer will file a claim against the company or companies that made the products responsible for your exposure. It’s important to do this as soon as possible after diagnosis since each U.S. state has a set time frame (known as a statute of limitations) during which a mesothelioma claim must be filed. There are two kinds of mesothelioma lawsuits:

  • Personal injury lawsuit – Patients who get mesothelioma as a result of exposure to asbestos file this type of claim. Personal injury lawsuits provide money for current and future medical care, recovery of lost wages, and compensation for additional pain and suffering that occurs as a result of the illness.
  • Wrongful death lawsuit – Family members file wrongful death claims after the death of a loved one from mesothelioma. This type of lawsuit may cover past medical expenses, lost wages, and funeral expenses.

Asbestos Trust Funds

If the asbestos company responsible for your exposure no longer exists, your lawyer will file a claim against an asbestos trust fund instead of a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. Asbestos trust funds are established when a negligent company goes out of business and files for bankruptcy. They are set up to ensure future mesothelioma patients and their families receive compensation.

Currently, there are nearly 60 asbestos trusts in the United States, with an estimated $37 billion set aside for mesothelioma patients.

Workers’ Compensation

Workers’ compensation insurance (sometimes referred to simply as “workers’ comp”) is mandatory for all U.S. businesses and provides financial compensation options for employees who are injured or become ill on the job. Workers’ compensation claims can help mesothelioma patients recover lost wages and money for medical expenses.