Mesothelioma and the Army Compensation Program
Mesothelioma can be a painful illness that affects many veterans of the United States Army. They may be eligible for compensation from asbestos trust funds or lawsuits.
Asbestos was found in barracks and vehicles, and also in aircraft. They may also have been exposed to asbestos when working in Navy shipyards.
Symptoms
There are a variety of symptoms mesothelioma patients might be afflicted with. Patients should be aware of their symptoms and inform their doctors if they change.
Most patients suffering from mesothelioma experience pain and fluid accumulation in the chest or abdomen. Some patients may also suffer from fatigue, coughing and loss of appetite. Some of these symptoms are similar to those experienced with other diseases, therefore some veterans might not associate mesothelioma for the first time. According to the amount of asbestos exposure, some symptoms appear later than others. High levels of asbestos exposure typically cause symptoms to manifest faster than exposure at low levels. As the disease progresses mesothelioma symptoms can change. This is known as metastasis.
Asbestos is naturally occurring. It is durable, heat-resistant and is used in a variety of construction materials and military vehicles. Asbestos fibers are able to become airborne and inhalation is the primary method of mesothelioma exposure. Inhaling or ingestion of asbestos particles can cause mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure has been linked to a wide range of medical ailments which include lung cancer.
The symptoms of mesothelioma vary from mild to severe, and may affect the abdomen and lungs and abdomen, as well as joints and the heart. Most asbestos-related illnesses can take between 10 and 50 years to develop.
Many veterans who were in the Army were exposed to asbestos in different ways. They could have worked in factories that made asbestos-containing equipment or on Navy vessels which were extensively employed. Veterans who worked on Navy vessels in the areas of piping, milling and shipyard work, as well as demolition, insulation, old buildings, carpentry and insulation are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma.
Most pleural Mesothelioma sufferers have chest pain and breathing difficulties in the beginning. A pleural effusion can develop, which is an accumulation of fluid in the pleura, which is the lining of the chest and lungs. Pleural effusions may limit the lungs' ability to expand when breathing. The thickening of the pleural membrane is common among mesothelioma patients.
As mesothelioma advances affected patients will notice their symptoms becoming more severe. They may experience a loss in appetite, fatigue, or fever. Some mesothelioma patients have blood clots, which can be dangerous to their health. Patients can also experience difficulty swallowing, a condition that is known as dysphagia.
Diagnosis
As asbestos is a cause of mesothelioma, a diagnosis will most likely include a biopsy and certain tests. Asbestos sufferers must have a mesothelioma expert conduct the tests to avoid a misdiagnosis. Incorrect diagnosis can stop patients from receiving right treatment, and may cause the disease to spread more quickly.
When doctors suspect mesothelioma they will order a imaging test to identify any lumps in the chest or abdomen. This could be a CT scan or MRI. The next step is to take samples of fluid or tissue to be examined under a microscope. A biopsy is the only way to confirm that mesothelioma is the diagnosis.
Once the doctor has a sample to look at, they will determine whether it is peritoneal or pleural mesothelioma, which can then aid in determining the best course of treatment for the patient. The biopsy can also help doctors determine the kind of mesothelioma cell, which can influence the prognosis of the patient.
The most common mesothelioma type epithelioid is most commonly encountered. It grows slower than other cancerous cells, making it easier for doctors to treat. It can also affect the lungs but is less invasive than pleural mesothelioma.
After the results of the biopsy come in A specialist will decide the best treatment options for the patient. The doctor will also determine the prognosis you may be entitled to compensation mesothelioma based on mesothelioma type as well as the rate at which it is growing.
Veterans with mesothelioma who have a history of asbestos exposure could be eligible for compensation. Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos while serving in the United States Armed Forces should contact a VA-accredited claims rep to see what benefits they are eligible for.
Treatment
Treatment options are determined by the type and stage of mesothelioma malignancy. Patients suffering from pleural mesothelioma frequently undergo surgery to alleviate breathlessness that is caused by the accumulation of fluid in the chest cavity. The surgeon can use VATS (video assisted thoracoscopic surgical) or open surgery to eliminate a part of the tissue that lines the chest wall and lungs. A tube may be put into the chest cavity to drain fluid around the lungs several times a week.
Peritoneal mesothelioma can be treated similarly to pleural mesothelioma, however with less extensive surgery. Surgery can involve removing parts of the abdomen including the diaphragm as well as the peritoneum. Mesothelioma patients can undergo chemotherapy and radiation following surgery to kill cancerous cells that remain.
Certain patients with mesothelioma may not meet the criteria for surgery, even if their doctors believe they could be treated surgically. In these cases doctors may recommend palliative treatment to alleviate symptoms like fatigue and insomnia.
After treatment, mesothelioma can be recurred. The cancer can come back in the same spot from which it began or spread to other regions of the body. If mesothelioma is recurred treatment, it can be more difficult.
Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral, is known for its strength and resistance to heat. It was used in numerous construction projects for the Army, including insulation, as well as in vehicles. When asbestos fibers are disturbed they can be released into the air and inhaling them could lead to a number of serious health problems.
The VA recognizes mesothelioma as a service-connected disease. Veterans are eligible for financial aid to cover their treatment. A mesothelioma lawyer can help veterans receive the disability benefits that they deserve.
Financial Assistance
The treatment for mesothelioma can be financially demanding. Veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma could be eligible for financial aid. Veterans are eligible for compensation in the form of settlements or disability benefits from mesothelioma suits. The compensation offered by these programs can help veterans pay their medical expenses, and also expenses for living expenses.
Asbestos lawyers can help veterans receive the amount they are due for their asbestos exposure or mesothelioma. An experienced lawyer can help veterans file a mesothelioma lawsuit with the Department of Veterans Affairs, or pursue a personal injury or wrongful death suit against companies who are responsible for their asbestos exposure.
In most cases, mesothelioma patients and their families are eligible for compensation from the VA because mesothelioma is considered an illness that is connected to service. The type of asbestos exposure determines eligibility. Asbestos exposure is more likely to be experienced by Navy veterans who have worked in shipyards rather than Army veterans.
The VA will provide a veteran with a monthly disability payment in the event of a mesothelioma diagnosis. The amount of compensation will depend on the level of disability resulting from mesothelioma. In addition the VA will pay for funeral and burial expenses for those who pass away from mesothelioma.
Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases are also able to seek compensation through asbestos trust funds as well as the manufacturers accountable for asbestos exposure. A mesothelioma suit could result in a substantial settlement for victims and their families.
Many nonprofit organizations offer grants to mesothelioma cancer patients to cover travel, housing and other expenses that are related to their treatment. These grants are available to mesothelioma sufferers and their families. They can help cover medical expenses and ease financial stress.
Mesothelioma patients and their families face a variety of financial challenges due to the cost of mesothelioma therapies. Compensation from various sources could help pay for these costs. Compensation from the VA and mesothelioma fund as well as personal injury or wrongful-death settlements against asbestos-related companies can be included. A lawyer can assist a mesothelioma patient and their family in pursuing compensation to pay for medical expenses.