Navy Compensation For Mesothelioma
Navy veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma have a variety of compensation options available to them. Financial compensation from the VA and asbestos lawsuit settlements can help to pay for treatment expenses.
Asbestos, a carcinogenic mineral, was widely used on Navy ships and shipyards between 1930 until 1980. This puts Navy veterans particularly at risk for developing mesothelioma.
VA Health Care
The VA provides free health care for veterans suffering from mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses. This includes treatment at VA centers across the country. The mesothelioma specialists at VA are some of the country's most effective. They can suggest different treatments, such as chemotherapy or surgery, as well as radiation therapy. They also provide palliative treatment that focuses on improving the quality of life as well as alleviating pain.
Asbestos sufferers who have a mesothelioma diagnosis may be eligible for VA disability compensation. This money can be used to cover medical costs and other expenses. The amount of compensation varies according to the severity of the illness. Mesothelioma has a very low survival rate, so getting a prompt and accurate medical diagnosis is essential.
Veterans of the Navy who have been exposed to asbestos on ships and in shipyards are at a higher chance of developing mesothelioma as well as other asbestos-related illnesses. They can receive up to $3,600 per month in VA benefits.
Many of these women and men were exposed to asbestos, a toxic material, in the form of pipe covers and other items. Asbestos was used by the Navy for decades in naval ships and shipyards. Navy veterans are at a higher chance of developing asbestosis and mesothelioma. Both are serious but treatable lung disease.
This is why the VA has a medical monitoring program for those who were in the military. This program includes physical examinations by a specialist doctor and questionnaires. Doctors look over X-rays to find signs of mesothelioma or related diseases. Screening can reveal signs of mesothelioma prior to them becoming serious.
The VA assigns priority to those who are enrolled in its program, based on its priorities and resources. Participants are assigned to one of eight priority categories. Those with service-connected injuries or illnesses are in a higher priority group.
A mesothelioma lawyer can help an Navy veteran identify which benefit types they can apply for. This can include VA disability compensation, as well as asbestos trust fund compensation. In addition to these types of benefits, mesothelioma patients may also file private legal lawsuits against companies that manufactured mesothelioma asbestos. The average settlement for mesothelioma cases is over $1 million. This could pay for the cost of mesothelioma therapies and provide financial security to a family.
FECA
The VA health system provides free treatment and services to veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses. Experts in asbestos diseases are also part of the system. Mesothelioma victims should work with knowledgeable mesothelioma lawyers to assist them in navigating the legal and VA health care systems.
In addition to the free VA treatment, Navy veterans diagnosed with an asbestos illness may be eligible to receive compensation. Compensation may be used to cover living expenses, travel expenses, medical equipment and other costs. In certain cases, compensation can cover lost wages.
FECA, the Federal Employees' Compensation Act covers injuries suffered by civilian federal employees in the performance of duty. The law is administered by offices located across the country. It's not as comprehensive as a state-run workers compensation program, however it provides benefits similar to private insurers.
Navy veterans and their families who were exposed to asbestos while at work could be qualified for compensation. Asbestos is made up of a group minerals that are extremely robust and resistant to fire. Asbestos was utilized in many civil and military products throughout the 20th century. In the United States the majority of asbestos exposure was on ships and shipyards.
Insulation, piping, and other materials are commonly responsible for asbestos exposure on Navy ships. Asbestos fibers may be in the air for a period of time after they are disturbed. The fibers then adhere to the clothes and skin of people who have touched them or were in close proximity. Many Navy veterans were diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses as a result.
An attorney can aid Navy veterans in filing a FECA claim to receive compensation for mesothelioma. These cases are brought against companies that sold asbestos-containing products to the Navy. While some people confuse these lawsuits with a mesothelioma settlement however, they are distinct. The FECA does not allow a traditional settlement. Instead, it offers the award of a schedule. It is similar to an insurance company's disability award but it can be reopened in the event that new evidence becomes available. In contrast to other types of claims, an FECA claim does not have a time limit for the reopening.
Private Claims
Navy veterans who are diagnosed with asbestos-related ailments may be eligible for benefits to cover medical costs. They can also file private claims against companies who manufacture asbestos-related products and could receive substantial financial compensation.
Mesothelioma lawyers may review a Navy veteran's exposure history to determine if they are eligible for VA compensation and other available legal options. Veterans who worked in shipyards or on Navy ships are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma. However any branch of the military is prone to mesothelioma as well as other asbestos-related conditions.
Although the Navy has stopped using asbestos in the 1980s, a lot of service members were exposed to the dangerous substance prior to that. Asbestos-containing products were used to construct naval ships, including gaskets, boilers and insulation. Many sailors suffer mesothelioma and deserve compensation.
A mesothelioma lawyer can look over the Navy veteran's exposure to identify the party responsible. They may bring a personal injury lawsuit against the asbestos manufacturers who did not warn them of the dangers. Asbestos manufacturers who went through bankruptcy were forced into establishing trust funds to compensate victims. Attorneys can help clients get the most compensation from these asbestos trust fund settlements.
Sokolove Law has recovered more than $4.7 billion for mesothelioma patients across the country. They can assist veterans in determining if they are eligible to receive VA compensation, private asbestos trust funds and mesothelioma benefits from the Navy. They can help their clients receive the best treatment possible.
Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma must consult a mesothelioma expert immediately. Lawyers can aid with the VA benefits process, which can be complicated and requires extensive documentation. They can also help connect them with mesothelioma doctors, like Dr. Robert Cameron who treats mesothelioma patients in California. The signs of mesothelioma could take years to show. It is therefore important to begin the VA and legal processes as soon as you can. Contact Sokolove Law to get started. Our mesothelioma lawyers can provide a no-cost case review to determine if you're eligible for compensation. We provide representation in all 50 states.
Asbestos Trust Funds
Since the 1980s, asbestos-containing producers have knowingly put millions of people at risk of serious illnesses. Many of the victims are diagnosed with mesothelioma or lung cancer decades after exposure to asbestos due the long latency period. To help them with their financial challenges, victims and their families can file a claim to an asbestos trust fund to receive compensation.
Asbestos Trusts are funds which allow asbestos victims to receive funds from asbestos companies that have gone bankrupt to whom they were exposed. They are managed by a trustees' group to ensure that the funds are distributed to asbestos victims. The trustees must monitor the condition of asbestos trusts and ensure that they have enough funds to cover future claims.
To qualify to receive mesothelioma compensation payouts from an asbestos trust, the victim must be diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease like mesothelioma, or another lung cancer. They then have to submit a claim to the asbestos trust, and satisfy all other eligibility requirements including the history of employment and type exposure.
Each asbestos trust follows a process called the Trust Distribution Plan (TDP) to review and process claims. The TDP has a specific schedule for how much each claimant will receive. It also has a payment percentage for each disease level that includes mesothelioma asbestosis, and other cancers.
There are some cases however, that do not fit within the schedule or the percentage of payment. Mesothelioma lawyers can assist victims decide which asbestos trust to file a claim with, and the amount of compensation that could be awarded based on unique circumstances.
Victims may also be entitled to compensation through more than one asbestos trust. This is beneficial because it allows them to pursue a lawsuit against any asbestos companies that are not protected by bankruptcy. To get the best compensation for their clients, it is crucial that mesothelioma lawyers know the way asbestos trusts operate. In the past the federal government has proposed legislation that would require greater transparency in these asbestos trusts.