W&L Team When looking at the amount of people diagnosed with mesothelioma in the U.S., you find that 30% are veterans, according to the Purple Heart Foundation. (1) Mesothelioma Coast Guard veterans are part of this group. Mesothelioma is a rare and particularly lethal form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. (2)
U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) veterans are at risk of exposure to asbestos, especially personnel who served on Coast Guard cutters that were constructed before 1991. These vessels were built with asbestos-containing materials such as insulation, fireproof doors, pipe wrap, electrical wiring, sealants and adhesives, and engine room gaskets. Exposure occurred during maintenance procedures carried out by service members who were not given personal protective equipment to use. (3)
If you are a mesothelioma Coast Guard veteran who served on one of these cutters, your exposure to asbestos could have been on one of many vessels. These vessels were in service between 1990 and 2017, even though they were typically built earlier. (4)
This blog provides information and support to veterans, service members, and your families. It also provides a clear path toward obtaining legal assistance.
Asbestos Use in Coast Guard Operations
Asbestos was used on nearly all ships built before 1980. Asbestos use peaked during World War II, when the need for fireproofed and insulated vessels was greatest. (5) Additionally, wartime operation of vessels by the USCG included 350 naval ships and approximately 300 Army ships, as well as 800 USCG cutters. (6)
USCG ships were also constructed with asbestos-containing materials and parts. This is especially true for cutters built before 1991. (7)
Coast Guard vessels served in many capacities. Their use ranged from buoy tenders to construction tenders, from patrol vessels to icebreakers, from training vessels to escort ships and harbor tugs. They were even national security patrol vessels. (8)
If you worked or served on a USCG cutter built before 1991, you could have been exposed to asbestos. Risk of exposure was greatest from contact with: (9) (10)
- Electrical wire coating.
- Fireproof doors.
- Floor and ceiling tiles.
- Gaskets and filters.
- Valves.
- Insulation.
- Pipe wrap.
- Pumps.
- Sealants and adhesives.
- Ventilation ducts.
Spaces below deck often contained high concentrations of asbestos materials. This fact, combined with poor ventilation, allowed asbestos fibers to linger in the air for longer periods of time, increasing the likelihood of inhalation. Areas of the ships where asbestos could be found included: (11) (12) (13)
- Boiler rooms.
- Engine rooms.
- Pump rooms.
- Sleeping quarters.
Coast Guard veterans exposed to asbestos also include people who did shipyard work, such as maintenance tasks, on these ships. (14) If you served or worked on any of these ships, consult with your doctor about your risks from asbestos exposure.
Symptoms and Diagnosis of Mesothelioma
Asbestos exposure leads to many diseases, with perhaps the deadliest being mesothelioma. Visit our FAQ about mesothelioma to get answers to your frequently asked questions.
Mesothelioma is a fast-growing cancer. There are treatments for the disease, but no cure. Mesothelioma has a long latency period, meaning that symptoms may not appear for up to 40 years after exposure. (15)
There are several types of mesothelioma your symptoms may vary depending upon the type.
Common Mesothelioma Symptoms
Here are some of the most common mesothelioma symptoms: (16) (17)
- Belly, face, or arm swelling.
- Chest, belly, or lower back pain.
- Fatigue.
- Lumps under the skin of your chest.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Painful cough.
- Shortness of breath.
- Unintentional weight loss.
- Constipation.
Get more details on the symptoms of mesothelioma.
Diagnosis and Tests
Your health care provider may order these tests to determine if you have mesothelioma. They may vary depending on your symptoms: (18)
- Biopsy, taking tissues samples from your body.
- Blood tests.
- Imaging tests, such as X-rays and CT scans.
- PET scans.
- Lung tests.
- Taking fluid samples from body areas affected by symptoms, including abdomen, lungs, or pancreas.
If you or a loved one serving in the Coast Guard has already received a medical diagnosis of mesothelioma, you want to act as quickly as possible to protect your legal rights.
Considering your legal options can be confusing and complicated. So, your first step should be to obtain the services of an experienced asbestos litigation team, like ours at Weitz & Luxenberg.
Were you or a loved one diagnosed with mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos from serving in the Coast Guard? We can help.
Get a Free Case ReviewLegal Rights and Options for Coast Guard Veterans
The USCG provides legal assistance to veterans at no cost. Legal issues that are frequently handled by Coast Guard Legal Assistance include family law, estate planning, consumer law, landlord-tenant relations, and immigration. (19)
Coast Guard veterans are also eligible for the same Veterans Administration (VA) benefits as members of other branches of the military. This includes disability compensation. (20)
Disability compensation can be claimed for asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma. (21) “Compensation may also be paid for post-service disabilities that are considered related or secondary to disabilities occurring in service and for disabilities presumed to be related to circumstances of military service, even though they may arise after service,” says the VA website. (22)
However, VA benefits do not hold manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors of asbestos products accountable for the harm they do to veterans and your families. An asbestos-related diagnosis is devastating with long-term financial consequences. This is why so many veterans turn to Weitz & Luxenberg, an experienced asbestos litigation firm, for help.
W&L Wins Legal Cases for Mesothelioma Clients
Weitz & Luxenberg has been holding the asbestos industry accountable since the 1980s. We believe in helping veterans, and your families, obtain the compensation you deserve. Significant financial victories have resulted from the mesothelioma lawsuits we filed for our clients.
Most lawsuit cases settle out of court. When they don’t, W&L takes the fight into the courtroom with a decades-long history of prevailing. For example, W&L attorneys secured a $117 million verdict for a couple suffering due to mesothelioma. The man was exposed to asbestos while in the Marines and later as a career sheet metal worker.
A U.S. Coast Guard veteran received a $53 million asbestos verdict due to our efforts. In this case, our client worked in the engine and boiler rooms of ships. He went on to work as a brake mechanic for a gas station. As is often the situation, his exposure to asbestos began during his years of service and continued into his post-service career.
Another mesothelioma trial we litigated resulted in a $64.65 million win. One of our clients in this group of four was a former Coast Guard engineman. He was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the abdomen. As is often the case, many of the companies W&L sued settled out of court, but a few didn’t. After this win, they probably wished they had done so.
Resources and Support for Coast Guard Veterans and Their Families
The VA offers benefits and assistance to veterans of any branch of the armed forces. Your available assistance includes financial, educational, life and burial insurance, disability, and even disability housing grants. (23)
Veterans suffering from mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases can also obtain support services from the:
- American Cancer Society. The programs and services available include a 24/7 cancer helpline, rides and lodging during treatments, and navigation support — connecting people with services, information, and one-on-one support. It also provides clinical trials matching and connecting cancer survivors.
- CancerCare. Services include counseling, education workshops, resource navigation, information and publications, support groups, specialized programs, and financial and co-pay assistance. It also has community programs and coping circle workshops.
- Cancer Support Community. The services provided include phone and live chat support, local club locations, and online community support network and forums. There are also educational articles and videos, along with tips and steps to take for managing costs of treatment.
- Legal assistance and advice for veterans. For Coast Guard service members and veterans, general legal help is available through the VA Office of General Counsel and Coast Guard Legal Assistance. For filing an asbestos exposure lawsuit, call Weitz & Luxenberg at (917) LAWYERS.
How Weitz & Luxenberg Helps Veterans
If you served in the U.S. Coast Guard and were diagnosed with mesothelioma, you and your loved ones are facing the fight of your lives. It is a stressful and difficult time with lots of decisions to be made.
The burdens you face are not only physical and emotional, but also financial and legal. Weitz & Luxenberg understands this very well. We take on the legal challenges for you, allowing you to focus on your health. We help you to secure the financial compensation you and your family deserve.
Weitz & Luxenberg’s team of asbestos litigation attorneys are dedicated and determined. Our lawyers exhibit the highest standards in the legal profession, caring for each client’s individual situation.
Empathy and understanding are deeply ingrained into our team members. We all tirelessly fight to obtain justice when your harm can be traced to acts of greed, negligence, and a callous disregard for human life.
W&L Cares About Winning for You and Your Family
W&L has proven our skills, over and over again, for the past nearly 40 years. We have a winning record both in court and at settlements; our reputation speaks of legal strength and superiority. W&L wins asbestos litigations year after year, helping clients obtain millions of dollars in compensation. We would be honored to represent you.
Our attorneys listen to your story, advise you on your options, investigate your claims, help file applicable trust fund claims, file your lawsuit, negotiate a settlement, and represent you in court. W&L is there to guide you and your family through this dark chapter in your lives with understanding, empathy, and support, every step of the way.
As soon as you receive a mesothelioma diagnosis, reach out to W&L at (917) LAWYERS. There is no charge for your initial consultation. Contact us today by calling or filling out the form on this page. One of our attorneys can respond promptly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many people have questions about mesothelioma claims and litigation. Below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions:
What Kind of Documentation Do I Need to Start a Legal Claim?
The key documents you need to start a legal claim for asbestos exposure include:
1. Medical documentation. This includes a written medical diagnosis from a doctor, medical records including diagnostic test results and treatment history, and a doctor’s statement linking your mesothelioma diagnosis to asbestos exposure.
2. Employment documentation. You will need a detailed work history including workplace records identifying asbestos-containing products used there, product information, and witness testimony typically based on statements from coworkers.
3. Military service records. These should include where you were stationed and any possible exposure to asbestos while performing your duties.
4. Financial records. You will need to provide your expenses for medical care, lost wages, other related expenses, and any actual funeral costs.
What Should I Do If I Was Diagnosed with Mesothelioma After Serving in the Coast Guard?
First, focus on understanding your diagnosis and treatment options. Next, file a claim with the VA to pursue benefit options available to you. Finally, speak with an experienced asbestos litigation attorney such as the lawyers at Weitz & Luxenberg.
Can I Still Take Legal Action If I Served Decades Ago?
Yes. Due to the lengthy delay between your first exposure and the onset of symptoms of mesothelioma (as long as 40 years), you can still pursue legal action decades after service. It is critical you act quickly, due to the statute of limitations that vary by state. Your clock starts as soon as you are diagnosed with mesothelioma or a related asbestos-caused disease (including lung cancer and asbestosis). If you don’t move fast, you could lose your opportunity to file a lawsuit, a claim, or both. Reaching out and consulting with an informed attorney, such as those at Weitz & Luxenberg, is in your best interest.
Does Filing a Claim Affect My VA Benefits?
No. VA benefits are not affected by filing a lawsuit. Lawsuits are filed against the manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors of asbestos-containing products.
What Are My Legal Rights If I Developed Mesothelioma from Coast Guard Asbestos Exposure?
Coast Guard mesothelioma veterans have the right to pursue compensation. This compensation can be through VA benefits, trust fund claims, and lawsuits against asbestos manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers.
