14 Common Misconceptions Concerning Navy Asbestos Settlement
Navy Asbestos Settlements
Navy veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma can claim compensation. Compensation could include VA benefits and lawsuits filed against asbestos manufacturers, as well as trust fund claims.
In the middle of 20th century, asbestos was widely used in shipyards and on Navy ships. Asbestos-related victims from all branches of the military have been diagnosed with mesothelioma.
VA Claims
The VA has established compensation procedures to ensure that asbestos-related diseases can receive financial assistance. This includes disability benefits as well as health care and treatment expenses.
In addition to receiving compensation from the VA, Navy veterans with mesothelioma may also qualify for cash settlements from private mesothelioma lawsuits as well as asbestos trust funds. Mesothelioma attorneys help veterans and their family members file these claims as quickly as they can.
Asbestos was widely used as an insulation and fireproofing material in most Navy ships built from the 1930s to the early 1980s. Navy personnel were exposed to asbestos while working on the ship as well as in a naval shipyard and in repair jobs. Nearly every Navy job was associated with a high risk of exposure to asbestos. Shipyard workers were at the most risk due to the fact that they often take asbestos-containing items down such as ceilings, pipes, and boilers.
Navy repairmen electricians, plumbers, and pipe fitters were at a high chance of developing mesothelioma due to the fact that they worked on or around the asbestos-containing equipment on Navy vessels. The risk was also high for firefighters and sailors working in the gun turrets of ships, who were wearing heat-resistant gloves and protective clothing comprised of asbestos.
Asbestos manufacturers were aware of the dangers posed by their products in the 1930s, but continued to make money from these dangerous and deadly materials. To avoid an asbestos-related disease it is essential to stop working in shipyards or on toxic vessels.
Following the onset of these deadly diseases, the manufacturing companies that made asbestos-containing products declared bankruptcy. These companies were forced to save money in asbestos trusts to pay compensation. Trust funds can pay veterans without impacting their VA benefits.
In most cases the filing of an VA claim is the most effective method to receive financial compensation. Kansas City asbestos lawyer approved attorneys can help veterans, their families and loved ones fill out the required paperwork so that this process can begin as fast as it is possible. The lawyers at Sokolove Law have more than 40 years of experience in filing VA claims on behalf of Navy veterans suffering from mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
Private Claims
Asbestos was a common component in shipbuilding and construction for Navy ships throughout the 1930s until the 1970s. Asbestos was a sought-after material because it was inexpensive and had many desirable properties such as fire resistance, corrosion resistance insulation properties, as well as soundproofing.
It was also found in the boiler rooms, engine rooms, as well as other areas beneath decks of Navy vessels as well as Navy bases. Unfortunately, the Navy was the division of the military that had the highest rate of asbestos exposure. Asbestos was also found on auxiliary ships, such as seaplane tenders, tugboats, and barges.
VA claims and lawsuits have compensated many Navy veterans who have been exposed to asbestos-related diseases, or mesothelioma. Mesothelioma Compensation can assist veterans with their medical bills as well as other expenses related to the illness.
A lawsuit could offer more compensation than the amount of a VA claim. A lawsuit is intended to hold companies that manufacture or sell asbestos-based products accountable for their negligence. Navy veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma may file a lawsuit to recover compensation for their losses.
Mesothelioma lawyers at top firms can help veterans qualify for both VA compensation and private compensation. VA claims can grant veterans financial aid as well as health care. Private compensation can award a minimum of $1 million or more.
Obtaining legal compensation for mesothelioma through a settlement or lawsuit is an important step for Navy veterans and their families to take. Asbestos lawyers know the details of this complex process and can assist veterans through the entire mesothelioma lawsuit timeline.
Most mesothelioma lawsuits are settled, but some cases end up in the courtroom. This is where a judge and/or jury, and may result in a higher or lower verdict than the settlement. A lawyer can assist veterans decide if it makes more sense to settle the case or go to trial. Some factors that weigh into this decision include the amount of compensation offered and the stage of mesothelioma as well as the evidence from medical experts. An attorney for mesothelioma will work diligently to prepare the case and ensure that the most favorable result is achieved.
Trials
Asbestos lawyers assist veterans suffering from mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses to seek compensation from Navy asbestos settlements. Settlements of this kind are worth $1 million or more on average. The U.S. government and the military aren't sued when veterans pursue these lawsuits, which are filed against the makers of asbestos-based products, which expose navy personnel to the risk of exposure.
Asbestos was a common ingredient in many kinds of Navy vessels until the 1980s. The hazardous mineral was utilized in engine rooms, boiler rooms and other areas. Shipyard workers also suffered from exposure when they constructed repairs, reconstructed and dismantled these vessels. During this time, workers unknowingly handled large amounts of asbestos-containing materials. Asbestos fibres would then get into the ship's unventilated areas. These areas included sleeping rooms, dining halls, and other common spaces. Families of Navy and shipyard employees frequently have secondhand asbestos exposure.
The Department of Veterans Affairs offers health and financial aid for veterans suffering from mesothelioma, or any other asbestos-related illness. Navy veterans who are eligible for VA benefits may 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 how much asbestos exposure they endured during their service and if they were a Marine or Navy service member.
Mesothelioma sufferers may bring private lawsuits against asbestos producers to increase the VA benefits they receive. The lawsuits are filed against companies who produced asbestos-containing products, including Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., 3M, Burnham Commercial Boilers and John Crane Inc. These lawsuits seek compensation for the victim as well as his or her family.
Asbestos cases are complicated and require the knowledge from attorneys who specialize in asbestos cases. Lawyers work with mesothelioma specialists to ensure a lawsuit is properly filed in order to receive the highest possible amount of compensation. Attorneys will also help veterans file trust fund claims, which are an important part of any asbestos settlement. A private lawsuit will not impact a veteran's eligibility to file for VA benefits, and veterans are able to pursue both simultaneously.
Settlements
Navy veterans who have been diagnosed with asbestos-related ailments are entitled to compensation through lawsuits filed against asbestos producers. Settlements or verdicts can cover medical expenses or lost wages, as well as other expenses associated with asbestos-related diseases. An attorney for mesothelioma can help veterans determine whether they're eligible to file a suit against negligent asbestos-related companies.
In the past, throughout the time of the Navy, asbestos was used to protect machinery and to insulate ships. It was extensively used to shield the machinery in the engine rooms of ships. It also was used in storage areas and living quarters such as cafeterias and sleeping rooms. Insufficient ventilation allowed asbestos to spread and infect the other areas of the ship.
Even after the Navy prohibited its use in 1975, asbestos continued to be discovered in vessels being repaired or decommissioned at shipyards. The Navy then sold the old vessels as scrap metal, leading to more exposure to asbestos. Shipyard workers were also at risk for asbestos exposure, too as they built repair, dismantle and rebuild these military ships.
Navy veterans who were exposed to asbestos at work could have received compensation for their condition which includes monetary compensation as well as free mesothelioma treatment. Compensation is usually awarded as part of an agreement to settle instead of an appeal that could result in a larger jury award.
Mesothelioma attorneys will look over the veteran's medical records, including test results, to determine their eligibility for compensation. Asbestos sufferers suffering from mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses may be entitled to monthly monetary benefits, tax-free medical services and assistance with daily tasks.
Attorneys who represent mesothelioma patients work to ensure that their clients receive the best possible amount of compensation. Most cases are settled however, a few cases go to trial. A judge and jury will decide damages after evaluating the evidence in every case. It is not unusual for a verdict to be higher than a settlement. Some veterans with mesothelioma have received awards in the tens of billions of dollars. The outcome of a trial is uncertain but many lawyers prefer to settle a case instead of taking it to trial.
