Navy Asbestos Settlements
Compensation is accessible to Navy veterans diagnosed with Mesothelioma. Compensation may include VA benefits, lawsuits against asbestos manufacturers and trust fund claims.
In the middle of 20th century, asbestos was widely employed in shipyards as well as on Navy ships. Asbestos victims from all branches of the military have been diagnosed with mesothelioma.
VA Claims
The VA has developed compensation strategies to ensure that veterans suffering from asbestos-related illnesses can receive financial assistance. This includes disability benefits as well as medical and treatment costs.
In addition to receiving compensation from the VA, Navy veterans with mesothelioma can also receive cash settlements from mesothelioma lawsuits filed by private parties and asbestos trust funds. Mesothelioma lawyers assist veterans and their families file these claims as quickly as they can.
Asbestos was used extensively as a fireproofing material and insulation in the majority of Navy ships built from the 1930s to the early 1980s. Asbestos was present onboard ships as well as in naval shipyards, and in repair work. The majority of Navy job carried a high risk of exposure to asbestos. Shipyard workers were at greatest risk since they often take asbestos-containing items down such as ceilings, pipes, and boilers.
Navy repairmen electricians, plumbers, and pipe fitters were at high risk of developing mesothelioma since they worked on or around the asbestos-containing equipment used on Navy vessels. The risk was also high for firefighters and sailors in the gun turrets of ships, who were wearing gloves that could withstand heat and protective clothing made of asbestos.
Asbestos producers were aware of the dangers posed by their products in the 1930s, yet continued to profit off these dangerous and deadly materials. To avoid contracting an asbestos-related illness it is essential to stop working in shipyards and on toxic ships.
In the aftermath of these devastations, the companies that manufactured asbestos-containing products filed for bankruptcy. These companies were forced to save money in asbestos trusts for compensation. Trust funds can be used to pay veterans without altering their VA benefits.
In the majority of cases, filing an VA claim will be the most effective way to receive financial compensation. VA approved lawyers can help veterans as well as their families and loved ones fill out the required paperwork so that the process can begin as fast as possible. The lawyers at Sokolove Law have over 40 years of experience filing VA claims on behalf of Navy veterans suffering from mesothelioma as well as other asbestos-related diseases.
Private Claims
Throughout the 1930s and 1970s, asbestos was employed to build Navy ships. Asbestos gained popularity because it was affordable and had many desirable properties, such as fire resistance and corrosion resistance. It also had insulating and soundproofing properties.
As a result, it was discovered in boiler rooms, engine rooms, and other areas below decks on Navy vessels and at Navy bases. Unfortunately it was found that the Navy was the part of the military with the highest asbestos exposure rate. Asbestos could also be found on vessels used for auxiliary purposes, like barges, tugboats and seaplane tenders.
Many Navy veterans who were exposed to mesothelioma or asbestos-related diseases have received compensation through VA claims and lawsuits. Mesothelioma Compensation can help veterans pay their medical bills and other costs associated with the disease.
A lawsuit could result in more compensation than an VA claim. A lawsuit is designed to hold companies that make or sell asbestos-based products accountable for their negligence. Navy veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma could file a lawsuit to recover compensation for the losses they suffered.
Top firms offer veterans legal aid in obtaining VA compensation, as and private compensation. VA claims can provide health and financial aid to veterans, while private compensation awards typically range from $1 million or higher.
Obtaining legal compensation for mesothelioma through a settlement or lawsuit is an important step for Navy veterans and their families to take. Asbestos attorneys are familiar with the intricate details of the process and are able to help you navigate the timeline of mesothelioma lawsuits.
The majority of mesothelioma lawsuits are settled however some cases wind up in court. This involves a jury and/or judge, and can result in a greater or lower verdict than a settled case. Lawyers can assist a veteran in deciding whether an agreement is better than trial. Some factors that weigh into this decision are the amount of compensation offered and the stage of mesothelioma, and the availability of medical evidence. A mesothelioma lawyer will put in a lot of effort to make sure the case is properly prepared and ensure the best outcome.
Trials
Asbestos lawyers assist veterans suffering from mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases to seek compensation from Navy asbestos settlements. Settlements that will pay up to $1 million on average. Veterans who file these lawsuits against manufacturers of asbestos-based products, which put navy personnel at risk of exposure, are not sued by the U.S. military or the government.
Asbestos was a common ingredient in many types of Navy ships up to the 1980s. The dangerous mineral was used in boiler rooms, engine rooms, and various other areas of vessels. Shipyard workers were also exposed asbestos when they constructed or repaired, and then dismantled naval vessels. In this time, workers handled large quantities of asbestos-containing material, without even realizing that it contained asbestos. Asbestos fibres would then get into the ship's unventilated spaces. These areas included sleeping rooms, dining halls, and other common spaces. Families of Navy and shipyard employees frequently suffer from asbestos exposure secondhand.
The Department of Veterans Affairs offers medical and financial assistance for veterans suffering from mesothelioma, or any other asbestos-related disease. Navy veterans who are eligible for VA benefits can receive compensation to cover the cost of treatment and other expenses associated with the disease. The type of VA benefits a veteran can receive is determined by the amount of asbestos exposure they experienced during their service and whether or not they were a Marine or Navy service member.
To augment their VA benefits, patients with mesothelioma may file private lawsuits against asbestos manufacturers. These lawsuits are brought against companies that manufactured asbestos-containing products such as Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., 3M, Burnham Commercial Boilers and John Crane Inc. These lawsuits seek compensatory damages for the victim and their families.
Asbestos cases are complex and require the expertise from lawyers who specialize in asbestos cases. Lawyers collaborate with mesothelioma experts to ensure that a lawsuit is properly filed to get the maximum compensation. Lawyers can also assist veterans file trust fund claims, which are an important element of any asbestos settlement. Filing a private lawsuit doesn't impact a veteran's eligibility to claim VA benefits, and veterans are able to pursue both simultaneously.
Anaheim asbestos attorney diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases are able to receive compensation from lawsuits against asbestos manufacturers. Settlements or verdicts can be used to pay medical bills as well as lost wages and other expenses related to asbestos-related illnesses. A mesothelioma lawyer can help veterans determine if they are eligible to file a lawsuit against asbestos companies that are negligent.
In the past, throughout the history of the Navy, asbestos was used to protect machinery and to insulate ships. It was widely utilized in ship engine rooms boiler rooms, pump and engine rooms due to its capacity to withstand temperatures up to 100 degrees. It also was utilized in storage areas and living quarters, such as sleeping rooms and cafeterias. Lack of ventilation made it easier for asbestos to disperse and cause contamination in other areas of the ship as well.
Even after the Navy banned asbestos use in the year 1975, it continued to be used in ships being repaired or removed from shipyards. The Navy then sold the old vessels as scrap metal, which led to more asbestos exposure. Shipyard workers also had to deal with asbestos exposure when they built or repaired these military vessels.
Navy veterans exposed to asbestos in the workplace could have received compensation for their illnesses which includes monetary compensation and mesothelioma treatments for free. Compensation is usually awarded as part of an agreement to settle instead of a trial that could result in a bigger jury award.
Mesothelioma lawyers will examine the veteran's medical records, including test results, to determine their eligibility for compensation. Asbestos sufferers suffering from mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases may be entitled to monthly financial benefits, tax-free medical services and assistance with everyday tasks.
Lawyers representing mesothelioma sufferers work to ensure that their clients receive the highest possible compensation. Although most cases end up with a settlement agreement, a few end up in trial. A trial involves an adjudicator and jury who will consider the evidence presented in each case and award damages. It is not unusual for a verdict to be higher than the amount of settlement. Some veterans with mesothelioma have received awards in the millions of dollars. A trial's outcome is unpredictable but many lawyers prefer to settle a claim rather than taking it to trial.