Veterans Asbestos Lawsuits
Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma are qualified to receive compensation. This compensation may be used to pay for funeral costs and other financial burdens.
To file a VA claim, you must prove your asbestos exposure happened during service. This requires the submission of a letter of nexus proving your asbestos exposure in service to your mesothelioma diagnosis.
Military Service Records
Many veterans have been affected by asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma and other cancers. Compensation from the VA and lawsuits against the manufacturers can help veterans and their families pay for treatments and other expenses. In order to receive these benefits you must submit the appropriate documentation. These documents include medical reports, and a comprehensive report of exposure. Veterans rely on these documents to prove their military asbestos exposure and qualify for benefits.
Asbestos was used heavily in military construction, and nearly every part of the US Military exposed service members to this harmful mineral. Navy personnel were especially at risk of exposure since asbestos was utilized in shipbuilding, maintenance and repair. Navy veterans may be qualified for disability compensation if they developed an illness like mesothelioma or asbestos-related lung cancer as a result of their exposure to asbestos in the military. The VA determines a disability rating which determines the amount of compensation a veteran will receive. The higher the rating and the higher the amount that will be given to a veteran suffering from mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses.
Veterans can prove their exposure to asbestos by submitting an extensive exposure report. The asbestos-related diseases have a lengthy time of latency, and the symptoms generally do not manifest until after a veteran retires from the military. A thorough asbestos exposure summary can make a difference in whether a veteran's mesothelioma claim is accepted or rejected by the VA.
An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can examine a veteran's service record and asbestos exposure summary to determine whether they qualify for mesothelioma-related benefits. The attorney can also help veterans appeal in the event that their claim is denied.
The attorneys at a mesothelioma law firm understand how difficult it is for veterans to obtain the help they require after being diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness. They can help veterans find support networks, bankruptcy trust funds and private lawsuits against asbestos-related companies that are accountable for their illness. An attorney can assist veterans understand the advantages of each option, and help them get the appropriate compensation.
Asbestos Exposure Summary
Veterans with asbestos-related illnesses are more likely to receiving VA benefits over those who do not have such a diagnosis. However, proving that you have an asbestos-related illness requires submission of certain medical documents, including a nexus letter from your doctor. The letter must specify that your mesothelioma or other illness was caused by your military service and exposure to asbestos. Our lawyers can help you collect the required documentation for your asbestos claim.
Asbestos, a mineral that is extremely hazardous, was used in many military vehicles, buildings and equipment during the 20th century. It was a popular material used for Army barracks, Navy ships and aircraft, Air Force bases and Marine Corps equipment and buildings. Asbestos is frequently employed due to its strength as well as its heat resistance and fireproofing properties. Therefore, veterans in all branches of the military might have been exposed to the dangers of asbestos.
Mesothelioma is the asbestos-related illness that is most often linked to military service. Other asbestos-related illnesses include ovarian, laryngeal, and lung cancer. Some veterans have been diagnosed with asbestos-related malignant illnesses like plaques in the pleura, atelectasis pericardial effusion and hyaline thickening the pleura. VA disability compensation isn't typically granted for these nonmalignant conditions.
When it comes to mesothelioma it is essential to have a lawyer experienced with filing claims for benefits from the VA. A seasoned mesothelioma law firm can make filing an VA claim a lot easier. Some firms have a Veteran Services Representative (VSR), who can assist you with your claim.
The VSR will review your case and determine if you are eligible for benefits such as compensation through the VA or an asbestos trust fund. Based on the circumstances of your case you may also be able to pursue compensation from the companies that wrongfully put your health at risk by selling and manufacturing products that contain asbestos.
Medical Documentation
A mesothelioma lawyer will know how to access asbestos and medical records. A mesothelioma lawyer will know how to get the doctor's nexus letter which is medical document that connects an illness to exposure to asbestos during military service. Veterans or their families should also submit a brief summary of asbestos exposure that outlines when, where and how the victim was exposed to asbestos. The VA will require these documents to determine the severity of the disease and determine if it is eligible for compensation.
The VA considers mesothelioma and the other asbestos-related illnesses as being service-connected, meaning that they were caused by military exposure. Veterans must provide military service records, and prove that at least half the symptoms that are associated with their diagnosis are due to their service. The VA will also consider the branch of service and the specific duties a soldier performed during their military service, which is the reason it is essential for veterans to keep all of their work records from every period of service.
Veterans or their families could also be eligible to receive compensation through an asbestos trust fund. Many of the companies which exposed veterans to mesothelioma and asbestos have filed for bankruptcy, and funds have been established to pay victims. A mesothelioma attorney can help veterans file a claim with one of these trusts, and collect the required documentation.
It is essential that mesothelioma victims receive all the benefits they are entitled to under the law. The legal process is complicated and mistakes can lead to a claim being delayed or denied. There are also strict deadlines set by law or statutes of limitations which differ from state states. A mesothelioma lawyer will understand these laws and can assist a veteran in filing their claim within the appropriate time frame.
A mesothelioma or other type of asbestos lawsuit could result in a substantial financial award for a veteran. Most often, a mesothelioma suit results in an out-of-court settlement that is far greater than the amount granted in a VA disability case.
Appealing a Denial Claim
A veteran's asbestos lawsuit may be denied due to a variety of reasons. It is important to know why these cases are rejected to ensure you are fighting for your rights.
Insufficient evidence is the most common reason a claim of a veteran is denied. This is due to the fact that there is not enough proof that their condition was caused by their military service. A mesothelioma lawyer can assist you with gathering the documentation needed to make an effective claim for compensation.
The VA, for example, will require information on which asbestos-containing products were used by the veteran during their service. Fall River asbestos lawsuit is also essential to know the veteran's specific military duties and occupations. The VA will have more information if they have it. This will allow them to connect mesothelioma and asbestos exposure.
To be eligible for disability benefits, a veteran must prove that they suffer from an asbestos-related disease and that the condition is at least partly due to their military service. The VA will evaluate a vet's health to determine their disability level that can range from 0% to 100 percent. Certain diseases, including mesothelioma, are presumptively connected to military service, and therefore can be considered eligible for an VA disability rating of at least 50 percent.
If a veteran has a case for mesothelioma or mesothelioma, the VA requires that they submit a written asbestos-related history. They must also prove that their diagnosis is linked to their military service and prove that it happened during active duty. Alternatively the VA will look at other factors that could cause mesothelioma, like civilian work and exposure to environmental factors.
It is highly recommended that you work with a VA accredited mesothelioma attorney when filing an VA asbestos case. They are well-versed in the laws and rules regarding claims for veterans' compensation and can handle each aspect of the process. They can also help in the appeal process if a claim is denied. Veterans should be aware that the VA offers free treatment for mesothelioma. If they aren't qualified for this treatment, then they may still be entitled to financial compensation from the asbestos manufacturer responsible for their exposure. An attorney who is accredited by VA for mesothelioma can provide more information about these benefits.