The fact that asbestos causes cancer was known to the government as early as 1918 when the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics highlighted the prevalence of high mortality rate amongst asbestos workers. In 1934 it was designated as an incurable disease by the Attorney’s Textbook of Medicine and was known to cause severe disability, which usually resulted in death. Throughout the mid 20th century, studies were undertaken by medical institutes that clearly pointed to the connection between lung cancer and inhalation of asbestos dust.
As empirical evidence grew, so did the alarm of the government over the rampant use of asbestos by almost every arm of the industry and in the early 70s, the U.S. government promulgated norms and standards for the industry to follow to prevent asbestos related infirmities. These were also followed up with public awareness campaign. Industry heads were instructed and advised to provide better self protection equipment for their workers.
These steps were not popular with the industry as they tended to increase the cost of production and hence hit their bottom lines. Also, the known substitutes to asbestos were too expensive, cumbersome and not as easy to mold, so the industry continued to use asbestos to save money.
Insurance companies too decided not too include asbestos related disorders in their policies terming as it being too tenuous to claim and this deliberate neglect continued throughout the 70s until the 1990s.
While the lay public still had recourse to the legal system, the men and women in uniform could not protest their service conditions as military rules and regulations forbid any such initiative. In other words, the government simply turned a blind eye to the possible harmful effects of asbestos usage in the military despite knowing fully well the serious health complication that exposure to asbestos could lead to.
Since the disease can affect virtually any internal organ which has mesothelial lining, the range of affliction can be widespread and complex. Under such circumstances the medical costs of dealing with mesothelioma are usually beyond the normal earning capacity of veterans and more often than not far greater than their meager pensionary benefits can absorb. Trying to combat the disease on your own will probably result in bankruptcy and strain the relations with your family as well.
Familial problems will definitely increase as the financial stress and mental strain resulting from having to look after an ailing veteran will most likely overwhelm the people concerned. Mesothelioma unlike other diseases does not progress in a phased manner. In fact, the deterioration in health and spread of the cancer is rather abrupt and quick leaving the patient with virtually no time to react have a proper plan in place. Hence seeking qualified medical attention, backed by sound financial position is a necessity and not a luxury. Hence getting compensation for Mesothelioma is a must and since the opportunity exists and you are not trying to take advantage of the system, why not?
By fighting for your rights you are not being disloyal to your service because Mesothelioma lawsuits are never targeted at the U.S. Navy, Air Force or Army but at the firms that supply the material to the services or the shipyards that build those ships and submarines. In the case of aviation, it is the aviation industry which is made to pay the bills arising out of your infirmities for the short cuts used by them for maximizing profits.
The compensations are no small change and can range from 5 to 8 million dollars, which is more than sufficient to take care of your health problems and look after the basic necessities of your family, which you would have otherwise provided for.