Asbestos Exposure in the Coast Guard
The U.S. military has a long history of asbestos use, and the Coast Guard is no exception. Millions of U.S. Coast Guard veterans may have been exposed to asbestos in past decades and are currently at risk of developing asbestos-related illnesses. If you believe that you or a loved one may have experienced asbestos exposure in the Coast Guard, the asbestos attorneys at Meirowitz & Wasserberg can help you seek compensation. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.
Quick Links
- Legal Rights and Compensation for Affected Coast Guard Veterans
- Historical Context of Asbestos in the Coast Guard
- Health Risks of Asbestos Exposure
- Recognizing Mesothelioma and Other Asbestos-Related Illnesses
- Preventive Measures and Current Status
- Asbestos Exposure From the Coast Guard FAQs
- Meirowitz & Wasserberg, LLP, Can Help If You Were Exposed to Asbestos in the Coast Guard
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, or VA, offers disability compensation to veterans diagnosed with a service-connected medical condition. You may be eligible for this compensation if you were exposed to asbestos during your Coast Guard service and developed an asbestos-related illness. Once the VA approves your claim, you will receive monthly tax-free payments.
You may also have the option to file an asbestos lawsuit against the companies that supplied asbestos products to the Coast Guard. This would entitle you to additional compensation to cover the losses you’ve suffered due to your illness, such as medical expenses, lost income, pain, and suffering.
When you turn to Meirowitz & Wasserberg with your U.S. Coast Guard asbestos case, we will evaluate your situation and outline your legal options. If we move forward with your case, our attorneys will handle each step of the process to seek maximum compensation on your behalf. That may mean gathering evidence linking your illness to your service, filing your VA disability claim, negotiating with asbestos manufacturer representatives, or advocating for you in court.
No matter how your case unfolds, you can trust that you’ll have a dedicated legal advocate in your corner at every turn. Our NYC asbestos lawyers have recovered over $360 million in settlements and verdicts for our clients, including millions of dollars recovered for workers and service members injured by asbestos exposure.
Legal Rights and Compensation for Affected Coast Guard Veterans
The U.S. Coast Guard played a key role in protecting our nation during World War II. This also happened to be the time when asbestos use reached its peak. The Coast Guard built and maintained countless ships, boats, and shipyards using asbestos-containing products throughout this era.
The Coast Guard’s asbestos use spanned numerous applications. It was used in insulation, pipe coverings, machinery parts, joiner bulkhead systems, boilers, and more. Virtually every area of Coat Guard ships contained asbestos, but engine rooms, boiler rooms, and navigation rooms had particularly high asbestos levels.
Asbestos use in the Coast Guard continued through the Cold War era. In addition to vessels, the Coast Guard built bases throughout the country with asbestos materials, including wiring, insulation, and flooring. Service personnel who built these bases or repaired their existing asbestos-containing materials faced an especially high risk of exposure.
Historical Context of Asbestos in the Coast Guard
The U.S. Coast Guard played a key role in protecting our nation during World War II. This also happened to be the time when asbestos use reached its peak. The Coast Guard built and maintained countless ships, boats, and shipyards using asbestos-containing products throughout this era.
The Coast Guard’s asbestos use spanned numerous applications. It was used in insulation, pipe coverings, machinery parts, joiner bulkhead systems, boilers, and more. Virtually every area of Coat Guard ships contained asbestos, but engine rooms, boiler rooms, and navigation rooms had particularly high asbestos levels.
Asbestos use in the Coast Guard continued through the Cold War era. In addition to vessels, the Coast Guard built bases throughout the country with asbestos materials, including wiring, insulation, and flooring. Service personnel who built these bases or repaired their existing asbestos-containing materials faced an especially high risk of exposure.
Health Risks of Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos-related illnesses tend to have a long latency period. This means symptoms often don’t appear until many decades after the initial exposure. Acute exposure to extremely high asbestos levels may cause temporary respiratory symptoms, such as coughing and chest pain, but even these symptoms can be quite subtle. The most concerning aspect of asbestos exposure is its long-term effects, which can lead to devastating and often deadly diseases.
One of the most notorious asbestos-related diseases is mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or other internal organs. The vast majority of mesothelioma cases are associated with asbestos exposure, but it takes an average of 34 years after exposure for mesothelioma to surface. Other diseases linked to asbestos exposure include:
- Asbestosis
- Pleural plaques and effusions
- Lung cancer
- Laryngeal cancer
- Stomach cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Pharyngeal cancer
- Ovarian cancer
Coast Guard veterans are at particularly high risk of developing these diseases due to the poor ventilation below the decks of Coast Guard vessels. Asbestos fibers can become airborne when asbestos-containing materials are disturbed, and the concentration of these fibers can be especially high without proper airflow. The more time personnel spent working in these areas, the more asbestos fibers they inhaled, and the more they suffered the damaging health effects of exposure.
Recognizing Mesothelioma and Other Asbestos-Related Illnesses
The aggressive nature of mesothelioma means that early detection and treatment are crucial to improving your survival odds if you do develop the disease. If you experience any of these signs or symptoms of mesothelioma as a Coast Guard veteran, seek medical attention as soon as possible:
- Shortness of breath
- Pain in the side of the chest
- Persistent dry cough
- Lower back pain
- Feeling like something is stuck in your throat
- Problems swallowing
- Swelling of the face, arms, and abdomen
- Abdominal pain
- Unexplained weight loss
- Constipation
- Intestinal blockage
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fatigue
- Fever
Other asbestos-related diseases often involve similar symptoms to mesothelioma. Unfortunately, some mesothelioma cases are asymptomatic until the disease reaches its more advanced stages.
Regular health screenings can often detect mesothelioma before symptoms appear. Make sure your doctor knows that you may have been exposed to asbestos in the Coast Guard so they can implement a proactive screening plan, and be sure to follow their recommendations.
Preventive Measures and Current Status
Although the Coast Guard’s asbestos use began to dwindle by the 1970s, it continued in some applications until 1990. Some Coast Guard cutters built before 1991 still contain asbestos and remain in service. The amount of asbestos in these cutters is reportedly very low. However, some personnel may be exposed to exceptionally high asbestos levels when performing maintenance on asbestos-containing materials without proper personal protective equipment.
The Coast Guard has implemented thorough asbestos abatement programs to identify, safely remove, and properly dispose of asbestos-containing materials in its other ships and structures with more hazardous asbestos levels. These initiatives primarily occurred in the 1980s and 1990s, so most current Coast Guard personnel are at low risk of asbestos exposure.
Asbestos Exposure From the Coast Guard FAQs
You may have additional questions if you suspect asbestos exposure in the Coast Guard. Our attorneys have answered some frequently asked questions from Coast Guard veterans to help you understand more about this issue.
If you served on Coast Guard ships or in shipyards during the 20th century, worked with insulation, or came into contact with older vessels, there’s a high likelihood you were exposed to asbestos. The diagnosis of an asbestos-related illness like mesothelioma is also a clear indicator of past asbestos exposure.
It’s difficult to definitively prove asbestos exposure, but the VA only requires you to show that it’s more likely than not that you were exposed. The following evidence can help you demonstrate this:
- Service records
- Witness testimonies from fellow veterans
- Medical records and expert opinions from medical professionals linking your illness to asbestos exposure
Mesothelioma lawsuits against the companies that supplied asbestos to the Coast Guard can result in substantial payouts. The mesothelioma compensation you can expect from your lawsuit will depend on the unique circumstances of your case, such as the severity of your illness, the extent of the at-fault party’s liability, and the laws of the jurisdiction in which the lawsuit is filed.
Yes. If your loved one died as a result of an asbestos-related disease, you could be eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Our attorneys can help.
Meirowitz & Wasserberg, LLP, Can Help If You Were Exposed to Asbestos in the Coast Guard
If you served in the Coast Guard and think you may have been exposed to asbestos, do not wait to consult with a doctor. Recognizing the symptoms and risks of asbestos-related diseases and taking early action can make a significant difference in your recovery, quality of life, and odds of survival.
It’s also important to seek legal assistance if you do develop an asbestos-related illness. With the help of an attorney, you can secure the financial resources you need to access necessary medical care and support. However, because the statute of limitations sets a strict deadline for filing your case, time is of the essence. Consult with an attorney as soon as possible to make sure you file before the deadline passes.
At Meirowitz & Wasserberg, LLP, our nationally recognized asbestos and mesothelioma attorneys are ready to help you and your loved ones understand your full legal rights and options. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.
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