| According to statistics, more than 30% of | | | | extensive on ships. Virtually no area on a Navy |
| Americans suffering from mesothelioma--a deadly | | | | ship built before the 1970s is safe including: |
| asbestos-induced lung cancer--were exposed to | | | | · Fire and engine rooms |
| asbestos while serving their country. Veterans and | | | | · Boiler rooms |
| shipyard workers face the greatest risk of | | | | · Navigation rooms |
| developing mesothelioma or similar diseases | | | | · Mess halls |
| because of the extensive use of asbestos in | | | | · Sleeping quarters |
| military equipment and products, buildings, ships, | | | | Additionally, commonly used products such as |
| and submarines. This is especially true for | | | | gaskets, cables, insulation, adhesives, valves, and |
| veterans who served during or after World War | | | | numerous others contained asbestos. Navy |
| II and before the1970s when the government | | | | veterans, like other veterans, were prone to |
| began regulating use of asbestos. | | | | carry asbestos dust home on their clothes, |
| Sadly, hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of | | | | thereby exposing their loved ones to the |
| American veterans have suffered exposure to | | | | dangerous fibers. |
| asbestos, putting them at higher risk of | | | | Veterans' Rights |
| developing asbestosis, mesothelioma, or other | | | | Veterans groups across the country have started |
| illness. | | | | taking action to ensure their rights are protected. |
| Veterans who have been diagnosed with an | | | | For instance, some veterans organizations have |
| asbestos-induced lung cancer such as | | | | called on Congress to fund early lung cancer |
| mesothelioma have legal rights and may be able | | | | detection programs, which is especially important |
| to recover compensation for their losses and | | | | given the long latency period for |
| suffering. Only an experienced mesothelioma | | | | mesothelioma--usually 30 to 50 years. Individual |
| lawyer will know if you have a valid legal claim. | | | | veterans, and, in some cases, their families, are |
| The Risk for Navy Veterans | | | | filing legal claims to hold responsible parties |
| Asbestos-induced lung cancer is a significant | | | | accountable for the suffering caused by |
| problem among Navy veterans, particularly | | | | asbestos-induced lung disease. |
| because the use of asbestos was so very | | | | |