Veterans selflessly served our country with honor and bravery, facing numerous risks during their time in the military. Unfortunately, one of these risks is exposure to asbestos, a mineral widely used in various products and materials.

Asbestos was commonly used in military bases, aircraft, naval ships, and equipment for fireproofing, heat resistance, and durability purposes during the 20th century. As a result, many veterans are now suffering from mesothelioma, in addition to other serious asbestos diseases, namely lung cancer and asbestosis.

Understanding the legal support and benefits available to veterans and their families is necessary for securing financial compensation.

Mesothelioma: An Overview

When asbestos fibers are inhaled or ingested, they can lodge in the lining of the lungs, heart, or abdomen and lead to mesothelioma, an aggressive and deadly form of cancer. This disease can take decades to develop, often appearing decades after the initial exposure to asbestos.

Medical care for asbestos diseases is available, but the outcomes are rarely curative. Unfortunately, there is no known cure for mesothelioma. Lung cancer outcomes are often ultimately disappointing if the patient is diagnosed after symptoms of the cancer manifest themselves. There is nothing doctors can do for true pulmonary asbestosis other than treat certain symptoms of the disease.

But medical help is not the only type of help available. Mesothelioma lawsuits and other legal alternatives can certainly provide financial help to asbestos disease victims and their families.

Veterans Benefits for Mesothelioma

The Department of Veterans Affairs offers various benefits to veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma. Benefits include the following.

  • VA disability compensation may provide a monthly tax-free payment to veterans.
  • VA health care can cover regular checkups with primary care providers and appointments with specialists like pulmonologists and oncologists.
  • VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (VA DIC) may give surviving spouses, children, or parents of veterans who died from service-related mesothelioma a tax-free monthly payment.
  • Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) is a tax-free benefit paid in addition to regular VA disability compensation to veterans with certain disabilities. Family members, such as spouses, may also be eligible.

In many cases, veterans with mesothelioma file for VA disability compensation.

Legal Support for Veterans

Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma can also seek legal compensation by working with an experienced attorney to file a mesothelioma lawsuit and file claims with asbestos trust funds.

Mesothelioma Lawsuits

Filing a mesothelioma lawsuit can help cover medical expenses and lost wages and provide financial security for families. There are two types of mesothelioma lawsuits.

  • Personal injury lawsuit: Mesothelioma patients may file a personal injury lawsuit to seek compensation from the corporations and entities responsible for their injuries. It’s important to note that veterans cannot sue the military or government for an asbestos injury; instead, they file against an asbestos company.
  • Wrongful death lawsuit: A wrongful death lawsuit applies when the victim has passed away due to mesothelioma. This lawsuit is filed by surviving family members seeking compensation for both the damages inflicted upon the mesothelioma patient before death and the family’s loss of a cherished loved one. Typically, a widow or an adult child of the deceased serves as the named plaintiff.

Asbestos Trust Funds

Asbestos trust funds were created by asbestos manufacturers as part of Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. These trust funds are dedicated accounts set up to provide compensation to those with diseases caused by asbestos exposure.

Choosing an Asbestos Law Firm

When it comes to pursuing compensation for mesothelioma, hiring a local law firm like the O’Brien Law Firm makes all the difference. Your case deserves the special individualized attention it needs.

Since 2000, our team has provided legal help for individuals and their families diagnosed with asbestos disease. Our experienced attorneys will:

  • meet you in person for a free case evaluation.
  • examine and research your exposure to products and job sites to determine the appropriate defendants to pursue.
  • file all possible claims, typically within a few weeks of meeting you and determining the liable parties.
  • secure all necessary evidence implicating defendants.
  • maximize recovery for you by negotiating settlements or trying your case to verdict.

We have a deep understanding of the legal process unique to St. Louis city, the state of Missouri, and the Midwest. For a FREE case evaluation, contact us online or give us a call at (314) 588-0558!