Navy Veterans Still Fight a War Against Mesothelioma

Just one day after we honored the brave souls, who fought and died at Pearl Harbor, we should also reflect on the battle they still wage with mesothelioma and other diseases caused by asbestos.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is prized for its fire-retardant properties. Many of the naval ships and shipyards built between the 1930s and 1970s contain the mineral, exposing thousands of veterans to the carcinogenic material. And these navy veterans are still waging a battle with mesothelioma and other related-diseases.

Today, almost 30 percent of mesothelioma cases occur in Navy veterans. Mesothelioma is a cancer that develops when asbestos fibers become lodged in the lining of the lungs and abdominal cavity. It can take numerous decades for the disease to manifest and is often diagnosed too late to save the patient.

Asbestos when inhaled can cause significant harm to the human respiratory system, but it took decades for health officials, and numerous deaths of Navy personnel and industrial workers to make the government aware of how dangerous asbestos is to humans. Mesothelioma attorneys have also fought against companies who used asbestos on behalf of the people affected by exposure.

When a person contracts asbestos-related diseases and need compensation for their medical care they should contact a mesothelioma lawyer to file a civil lawsuit against the entities responsible for their exposure. Because they have extensive knowledge and experience, mesothelioma attorneys are able to guarantee their clients are justly compensated.