Navy Asbestos Settlements
Compensation is available to Navy veterans who have been diagnosed with Mesothelioma. Compensation may comprise VA benefits and lawsuits filed against asbestos manufacturers, as well as trust fund claims.
Asbestos was widely used on Navy ships and in shipyards in the middle decades of the 20th century. Asbestos victims from all branches of the military have been diagnosed with mesothelioma.
VA Claims
The VA has established compensation procedures to ensure that veterans suffering from asbestos-related illnesses can receive financial assistance. This includes disability benefits along with health and treatment costs.
Navy mesothelioma patients can also be awarded cash prizes through private asbestos trust funds and mesothelioma suit. Mesothelioma attorneys help veterans and their family members to file claims as fast as they can.
Most of the Navy ships constructed between the 1930s and early 1980s had asbestos since it was extensively used as a fireproofing and insulation material. Navy personnel were exposed asbestos while working aboard the vessel or in a shipyard, and in repair jobs. Asbestos posed a threat in nearly every Navy job. Shipyard workers are at the highest risk because they are often required to remove asbestos-containing items like ceilings, pipes and boilers.
Navy repairmen, plumbers, electricians and pipefitters were at high risk of developing mesothelioma when they worked near asbestos-containing equipment aboard Navy vessels. Firefighters and sailors in the gun turrets on ships were also at risk due to the fact that they frequently wore protective clothes made with asbestos and heat-resistant gloves.
Asbestos producers were aware of the dangers associated with their products as early as the 1930s, but they continued to profit from these dangerous and deadly substances. The only method to avoid being diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease was to stop working on these toxic ships or in shipyards.
After these devastating diseases manufacturing companies that produced asbestos-containing products declared bankruptcy. The companies were required to put money aside in asbestos trusts for compensation. Trust funds are able to award financial compensation to veterans, without affecting their VA benefits.
In most cases, the VA claim is the best option for receiving financial compensation. VA authorized lawyers can assist veterans as well as their families and loved ones complete the necessary paperwork so that the process can begin as quickly as it is possible. Sokolove Law's lawyers Sokolove Law have over 40 years of experience submitting 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 construct Navy ships. Asbestos was a sought-after material due to its cost and had many desirable qualities such as resistance to fire, corrosion resistance, insulating properties, and soundproofing.
It was found in boiler rooms, engine rooms and other areas below decks on Navy vessels, as well as at Navy bases. Unfortunately it was found that the Navy had the highest rate of asbestos exposure among the branches of the military. Asbestos was also detected on auxiliary ships, such as seaplane tenders, tugboats, and barges.
Many Navy veterans who were exposed to mesothelioma or asbestos-related diseases have been awarded compensation through VA claims and lawsuits. Mesothelioma compensation may help veterans pay for their medical expenses as well as other expenses related to the condition.
Compensation through a lawsuit can be higher than the compensation provided by an VA claim. A lawsuit is intended to hold businesses that produce or sell asbestos-based products responsible for their negligence. Navy veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma may file an action against these manufacturers to seek full compensation for their losses.
Mesothelioma lawyers in top firms assist veterans in qualifying for both VA compensation and private compensation. VA claims can award veterans financial aid as well as health care. Private compensation awards on average $1 million or more.
Finding mesothelioma-related compensation legally through a settlement or lawsuit is a crucial step for Navy veterans and their families to take. Asbestos lawyers know the ins and outs of this complicated process and can help veterans navigate the entire process of mesothelioma litigation.
While the majority of mesothelioma cases settle a settlement, some go to trial. This is where a judge and/or jury, and can result in a more or lower verdict than a settlement. A lawyer can help veterans decide if it is better to settle or go to trial. The decision is influenced by many factors which include the amount of compensation offered and the stage of the mesothelioma. An attorney for mesothelioma will be diligent in preparing the case and ensure the best possible outcome is achieved.
Trials
Asbestos lawyers help veterans with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases to get compensation from Navy asbestos settlements. These settlements pay $1 million or more on average. Meridian asbestos lawyers and the military aren't liable when veterans file these lawsuits, which are filed against the makers of asbestos-based products, which put navy workers at risk of exposure.
Asbestos was utilized on a variety of types of Navy ships up to the 1980s. The mineral was a danger in boiler rooms, engine rooms, and in other areas. Shipyard workers also experienced exposure as they constructed repairs, reconstructed and dismantled these naval vessels. In this period, workers were exposed to large quantities of asbestos-containing materials. Asbestos fibers then disperse throughout the ship's areas that were not ventilated. These areas included sleeping rooms, dining halls and other common areas. Family members of Navy and shipyard workers frequently had exposure to asbestos from secondhand sources.
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 pay for treatment and other costs associated with the illness. The kind of VA benefits a veteran can receive is determined by the amount of asbestos exposure they endured during their service, and whether or not they were a Marine or Navy service member.
To enhance their VA benefits, mesothelioma patients may file private lawsuits against asbestos-related manufacturers. The lawsuits were filed against companies who produced asbestos-containing products, like Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. 3M, Burnham Commercial Boilers and John Crane Inc. These lawsuits seek compensation for the victim and their family.
Asbestos lawsuits are complicated and require the expertise of lawyers who specialize in these cases. Lawyers work closely with mesothelioma experts to ensure that the lawsuit is filed properly to receive the maximum amount of compensation. Additionally, attorneys will aid veterans in the filing of trust fund claims which are an essential component of any asbestos settlement. A private lawsuit will not impact a veteran's eligibility to claim VA benefits, and veterans can pursue both simultaneously.
Settlements
Navy veterans who have been diagnosed with asbestos-related illnesses are eligible to receive compensation from lawsuits filed against asbestos producers. The compensation from a settlement or verdict can be used to pay medical expenses as well as lost wages, and other costs associated with asbestos-related diseases. An attorney for mesothelioma can assist veterans to determine whether they're eligible to file a suit against negligent asbestos-related companies.
Asbestos was used on Navy ships throughout history to insulate and protect the machinery onboard. It was extensively used to shield engines in ship engine rooms. It was also used in storage areas and living areas, such as cafeterias and sleeping rooms. Lack of ventilation made it easier for asbestos to spread and contaminate other areas of the ship as well.
Even after the Navy banned its use in 1975, asbestos continued to be found in ships being repaired or retired from shipyards. The Navy then sold these old vessels for metal scrap which led to increased exposure to asbestos. Shipyard workers also risked asbestos exposure when they built, repaired and dismantled these military vessels.
Navy veterans exposed to asbestos in the workplace could have received compensation for their condition, including monetary benefits as well as free mesothelioma treatment. Compensation is typically granted in a settlement agreement instead of an appeal that could result in a bigger jury award.
Mesothelioma lawyers will examine the veteran's medical records including test results to determine if they are eligible for compensation. Asbestos patients suffering from mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses could be eligible for monthly financial benefits, tax-free healthcare and assistance with daily tasks.
Attorneys representing mesothelioma sufferers strive to secure the highest possible compensation for their clients. The majority of cases are settled, but a few go to trial. A trial is a hearing between an adjudicator and jury who will consider the evidence presented in each case to award damages. It is not uncommon for a verdict from a jury to exceed a settlement. Some mesothelioma patients have received awards in the tens of millions of dollars. A trial's outcome is unpredictable but many lawyers prefer to settle a claim rather than taking it to trial.