Important Information for Veterans
Contact information for Yakima Valley Vet Center is 1111 N. 1st Street, Suite #1 Yakima, WA 98902 Phone: (509) 457-2736.
Do you fit the description below? If so, you may want to consider getting tested for exposure to asbestos. Primarily, there are some questions one should ask to figure out if exposure to asbestos is an issue. Some questions to ask include: Do you think you have had prolonged exposure to asbestos? Are you an immediate family member of someone who has worked in asbestos-related industries? Have you worked somewhere where asbestos insulation was used? Is it possible your exposure to asbestos was in the form of a "burst exposure" (a very heavy concentration) to asbestos for short periods of time? Was yes a response to any of these? If so, you may wish to discuss this with your health-care provider.
In general, there is a group of diseases that have been linked to asbestos exposure: Asbestosis (a serious, chronic, non cancerous fibrous hardening and scarring of the lungs), mesothelioma (a cancer of the thin membranes lining the thoracic and abdominal cavities and surrounding internal organs), pleural plaque and thickening (scarring of the lining of the lung) and lung cancer. Some symptoms of asbestos-related diseases are coughing, coughing blood, shortness of breath, chest pain and weight loss. Unfortunately, the tangible warning signs of contact with asbestos can appear up to 25 years after initial exposure. Annual or even semi-annual asbestos detection tests are recommended.
It is imperative to seek a medical opinion if you feel that you have been exposed to asbestos. The usual mode of testing is an x-ray (side and front view of your chest.) Other tests may include a pulmonary function test, blood work, a CT scan and/or biopsy. Physicians may speak a language that could be confusing to the layman. You should not hesitate to ask your medical professional about your status. If you don't fully understand your doctor, have him clarify so you can better know your condition. Weitz & Luxenberg supports the notion that all people who have participated in the United States Armed orces should receive the services they deserve. This includes compensation for potentially fatal diseases such as lung cancer.
Coping with asbestos-related diseases can be challenging. Weitz & Luxenberg can help decrease some of the difficulty by providing you with a free case evaluation. Your first step is to fill out the form below.
your next step . . .
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Find out more about help for Vets available at Jonathan M. Wainwright Memorial VA Medical Center