Veterans fought bravely for our country, but many of them now face a new fight: mesothelioma. There is an elevated risk of mesothelioma in the veteran population since asbestos was used in all branches of the U.S. military. In fact, approximately 1/3 of mesothelioma cases have been shown to involve Navy or shipyard exposures. Veterans with mesothelioma can receive VA benefits, health care, and may be able to file a lawsuit.
All military branches were at risk of asbestos exposure, including the:
- Air Force
- Army
- Coast Guard
- Marines
- Navy
Asbestos was used in every ship built by the U.S. military for much of the 20th century. Trucks, tanks, and barracks were also built with asbestos-containing products — exposing thousands of service members in the process. Veterans harmed by asbestos and their families may be able to receive financial compensation with the help of our experienced mesothelioma law firm.
Rest assured, Sokolove Law will not file claims against the U.S. government, but rather the manufacturers that supplied asbestos-containing products to the U.S. military.
Veterans Have 2 Paths to Compensation for Mesothelioma
Path 1: The United States Department of Veteran Affairs may accept mesothelioma and asbestos claims if the asbestos exposure was service-related. Veterans should seek out a Service Officer to help navigate service-related benefits and help ensure a successful outcome when filing a claim.
Path 2: Veterans or immediate family members can also file a separate mesothelioma lawsuit directly against the manufacturers of asbestos-containing products – not the U.S. government. These manufacturers, in some cases supplied these deadly products to the military. Filing an asbestos legal claim does not impact VA benefits and often these rights can be enforced without ever having to go to court.
Legal Claim
By filing a legal claim, veterans may seek additional compensation from the asbestos companies that are responsible for their exposure and the disease that it caused.
Some recent mesothelioma settlements for veterans Sokolove Law has helped include:
- $9,964,000 to a former Navy boiler man who sailed out of San Diego, Boston, and Norfolk
- $423,000 to a Navy veteran who worked as a heavy equipment operator
- $419,000 to a veteran Navy boilermaker from Missouri
The team at Sokolove Law is made up of mesothelioma lawyers who have helped thousands of veterans. We will be able to guide you to the best decision to maximize the compensation you may receive.