Mesothelioma and the Army Compensation Program
Mesothelioma is a painful condition that is often affecting veterans who served in the United States Army. The service members could be eligible for compensation from asbestos trust funds and lawsuits.
Army veterans were exposed to asbestos in barracks, vehicles, and aircraft. They also could have been exposed to asbestos when working in Navy shipyards.
Signs and symptoms
Mesothelioma patients suffer from a variety of symptoms. Patients should keep track of their symptoms and notify their doctor if they experience changes.
Most mesothelioma patients suffer from pain and swelling in the abdomen or chest. Patients may also feel fatigued, coughing or loss of appetite. Some of these symptoms can be misinterpreted as symptoms of other diseases. So some veterans might not be able to recognize them initially. Based on the level of asbestos exposure, some symptoms may manifest later than others. The high levels of asbestos exposure typically cause symptoms to come on more quickly than low-level exposure. As the disease progresses the symptoms of mesothelioma may change. This is known as metastasis.
Asbestos occurs naturally. It is strong, heat-resistant and is used in a variety of construction materials and military vehicles. Inhalation of asbestos fibers is the primary treatment for mesothelioma. Inhaling asbestos particles or ingestion of them can lead to mesothelioma. Asbestos has been linked to lung cancer as well as other medical diseases.
The symptoms of mesothelioma range from mild to severe, and it can affect the lungs and abdomen, as well as joints and the heart. The majority of asbestos-related diseases take between 10 and fifty years to develop.
Many veterans who were in the Army were exposed to asbestos in a variety of ways. They could have worked on bases for military personnel or in factories that made asbestos-containing equipment, and on Navy ships where asbestos was widely used. Veterans who worked in milling, piping and shipyard work, insulation demolition of older structures and carpentry on Navy vessels are at a higher chance of developing mesothelioma.
In the beginning of the disease, pleural mesothelioma patients typically notice chest pain and difficulty breathing. A pleural effusion can develop, which is an accumulation of fluid in the pleura, which is the lining of the lungs and chest. Pleural effusions may limit the lungs' capacity to expand when breathing. Patients with mesothelioma typically have pleural swelling and inflammation.
As mesothelioma worsens affected patients will notice that their symptoms get worse. They may experience a loss in appetite, fatigue and a fever. Some mesothelioma patients have blood clots that can be harmful to their health. Patients may also have difficulty swallowing, which is called dysphagia.
Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a cancer that is triggered by asbestos and a mesothelioma diagnosis is likely to require certain tests and an examination. Asbestos sufferers should have a mesothelioma specialist carry out the test to avoid an incorrect diagnosis. False diagnoses can prevent patients from receiving the appropriate treatment and could cause the disease a longer time to progress.
If doctors suspect mesothelioma, they'll order an imaging test to identify any tumors in the abdomen or chest. This could include a CT scan, an MRI or an X-ray. The next step is to collect fluid or tissue samples for analysis under a microscopy. A biopsy is the most conclusive way to confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis.
The doctor will determine if the sample is a pleural mesothelioma or peritoneal me which will allow them to determine the best treatment for the patient. The biopsy can also help doctors determine the type of mesothelioma cells, which can have an impact on the prognosis of the patient.
The most commonly used mesothelioma type is epithelioid. It develops more slowly than other cancerous cells, which makes it easier for doctors to treat. It can also affect the lungs but is less severe than pleural msothelioma.
A specialist will determine the best treatment options are for the patient after the results of a biopsy have been gathered. The doctor will also establish a prognosis on the basis of the mesothelioma type as well as the rate that it is growing.
Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma, who have an history of asbestos exposure in the military, may be eligible for compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Those who have been exposed to asbestos during their time in the United States Armed Forces should contact a VA-accredited claims agent to find out what benefits they qualify for.
Treatment
Treatment options are determined by the type and stage of malignant mesothelioma. mesothelioma compensation commercial suffering from pleural mesothelioma frequently undergo surgery to relieve breathlessness due to the build-up of fluid in the chest cavity. The surgeon may employ VATS (video-assisted surgical thoracoscopic procedure) or open surgery to remove a portion of the chest wall's lining and lung. A tube is inserted into the chest to drain the fluid around the lung several times per week.
Peritoneal mesothelioma is treated similarly to pleural mesothelioma, but with less extensive surgery. Surgery may involve the removal of parts of the abdomen including the diaphragm as well as the peritoneum. After surgery, patients who have mesothelioma can receive radiation and chemotherapy to eliminate any cancerous cells left.
Some people with mesothelioma are not eligible for surgery, even though doctors believe that they could be treated surgically. In these cases, doctors may recommend palliative treatments to ease symptoms such as fatigue, pain, and sleeplessness.
After treatment, mesothelioma can return. Cancer can return in the same spot where it began or spread to another part of the body. In the event of recurrence, it can be more difficult to treat mesothelioma.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is renowned for its strength and heat resistance. It was used in a variety of Army construction projects, such as insulation and vehicles. Asbestos fibers can become airborne when disturbed and can cause serious health complications if inhaled.
The VA recognizes mesothelioma as a service-connected disease. Veterans can receive financial assistance to pay for their treatment. A mesothelioma lawyer can assist veterans in obtaining the disability benefits that they deserve.
Financial Assistance
The cost of mesothelioma-related treatments can be high. Veterans who are diagnosed with mesothelioma might be eligible for financial assistance. Compensation programs for veterans include disability benefits and mesothelioma lawsuit settlements. The compensation offered by these programs can help veterans pay for their medical expenses and also daily living costs.
Asbestos lawyers can help veterans obtain the compensation they deserve for their asbestos exposure as well as mesothelioma. A knowledgeable lawyer can assist veterans file a mesothelioma lawsuit with the Department of Veterans Affairs, or file a personal injury orwrongful death suit against companies who are responsible for their asbestos exposure.
The majority of mesothelioma patients as well as their families members who survive are eligible for compensation through the VA, as mesothelioma has been classified as a condition that is a result of a service. The type of exposure to asbestos determines the eligibility. For instance, Navy veterans who worked in shipyards may have a higher risk of being exposed to asbestos than Army veterans.
The VA will provide a veteran with a monthly disability payment in the event of a mesothelioma diagnosis. The amount of the benefit is contingent on the severity of the disability resulting from mesothelioma. In addition the VA provides compensation for funeral and burial costs for those who die due to mesothelioma.
Veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses may also seek compensation from the asbestos trust funds and the manufacturers responsible for their asbestos exposure. A mesothelioma case can result in a settlement that is substantial for the victim and their family members.
Many non-profit organizations provide grants for mesothelioma patients to pay for the cost of housing, travel and other expenses that are related to their treatment. These grants are available to mesothelioma patients and their survivors. They can help cover medical costs and reduce the financial burden.
The cost of mesothelioma treatment can be an economic burden for the patient and their family. Compensation from various sources could aid in the payment of these expenses. These include compensation from the VA and mesothelioma trust funds, and personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit settlements against the companies responsible for their asbestos exposure. A lawyer can assist a mesothelioma patient and their family members in pursuing compensation to cover medical expenses.