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- We fight to maximize your results
- Many clients get results in as few as 90 days
- No out-of-pocket costs for you or your family
Filing a Military Asbestos Lawsuit
Asbestos was commonly used throughout all branches of the U.S. military. As a result, thousands of veterans are at risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
As a veteran-founded law firm, Simmons Hanly Conroy has over 20 years of experience helping veterans and their families file mesothelioma lawsuits against the makers of the dangerous asbestos products they were exposed to — not the military or government.
If you experienced asbestos exposure in the military and later became sick, our VA-accredited attorneys may be able to help you secure compensation from a military asbestos lawsuit. Call (800) 326-8900 now to see if you qualify.
Who Can File a Military Asbestos Lawsuit?
If you or someone you love was diagnosed with mesothelioma — or recently passed away from this cancer — you may be able to file a lawsuit.
Those eligible to file a mesothelioma lawsuit include the:
- Veteran with mesothelioma: Anyone who was exposed to asbestos and later diagnosed with mesothelioma — even if the diagnosis was decades after exposure — may be eligible to file a mesothelioma lawsuit.
- Victim’s loved ones: Those who lost a family member to mesothelioma may meet the criteria to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
- Representative of the veteran’s estate: The representative of a veteran’s estate may be able to file a mesothelioma lawsuit after their passing.
Laws called the statute of limitations determine how long you have to file a mesothelioma lawsuit. These laws differ from state to state, so it is important to contact a mesothelioma lawyer as soon as possible to ensure that you are still able to act.
Call (800) 326-8900 or fill out our contact form today for a free legal consultation.
Types of Claims for Military Asbestos Exposure
There are a few different types of claims that can be filed in pursuit of compensation from asbestos companies. Veterans exposed to asbestos may be eligible to file multiple mesothelioma claims, depending on their situation.
Since 1999, Simmons Hanly Conroy has recovered over $9.3 billion from mesothelioma cases. Our lawyers are committed to pursuing financial compensation from all of the avenues available to each of our clients.
Mesothelioma Lawsuits
There are two main types of mesothelioma lawsuits that can be pursued if a military veteran is diagnosed with mesothelioma.
A personal injury lawsuit is filed by an individual who has been harmed by another person or a company. In cases of veterans with mesothelioma, a lawsuit would be filed against the makers of the specific asbestos products that caused them to become ill.
A wrongful death lawsuit is filed by a loved one or family member of someone who has passed away due to the negligence of a person or company. Since many companies knew that asbestos exposure was harmful to human health, death caused by an asbestos-related disease is considered reckless and negligent on the part of the asbestos company.
When you file a mesothelioma lawsuit, you will not be suing the U.S. military or the government. Instead, your attorney will target the asbestos company that manufactured the products or equipment you were exposed to.
Asbestos Trust Fund Claims
When the public learned about the dangers of asbestos, many companies began to declare bankruptcy in an effort to avoid mesothelioma lawsuits.
However, the courts order these companies to set money aside in asbestos trust funds for those impacted by mesothelioma.
As of 2024, over $30 billion is estimated to be available in these trust funds. Our attorneys can file asbestos trust fund claims to help patients access a portion of this money.
If you were exposed to multiple products containing asbestos in the military, you may be eligible to file claims against all of the different manufacturers that were responsible for your exposure.
Don’t wait: Call (800) 326-8900 or fill out our contact form today for a free legal consultation.
Claims for Mesothelioma Veterans Benefits
The Department of Veterans Affairs provides additional health care and financial benefits to qualifying veterans. We are here to help veterans with mesothelioma prepare their VA claims and access all of the benefits available to them.
VA benefits for veterans with mesothelioma include:
- VA Disability Compensation: Veterans with mesothelioma who qualify for disability compensation receive over $3,700 each month from the VA.
- VA Health Care: The VA Health Care system employs top mesothelioma specialists like Dr. Robert Cameron.
- VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (VA DIC): Family members can access VA DIC if they lose a loved one due to mesothelioma.
- VA Pension: This benefit provides monthly payments to veterans who are disabled and/or over the age of 65.
- Special Monthly Compensation (SMC): Veterans can access SMC if they have severe disabilities or require more round-the-clock care.
A VA-accredited asbestos attorney at Simmons Hanly Conroy can help you to determine which benefits you may be eligible to receive.
Get a Free Legal Consultation
- We fight to maximize your results
- Many clients get results in as few as 90 days
- No out-of-pocket costs for you or your family
Veterans and Mesothelioma: Why File a Lawsuit?
Members of the U.S. military sacrificed a great deal for our country. However, some veterans developed life-threatening illnesses like mesothelioma as a result of their service.
Choosing to file a mesothelioma lawsuit has a number of benefits, including:
- Holding asbestos companies accountable for their wrongdoing
- Recovering lost wages and providing financial security for your family
- Supplying you with support to help pay for growing medical costs
A mesothelioma military lawyer with Simmons Hanly Conroy will handle every step of the legal process for you, so that you can focus on your family and your health.
Help Paying for Treatment: Mesothelioma Settlements & Verdicts
Unfortunately, a mesothelioma diagnosis is often accompanied by expensive medical bills. Pursuing a mesothelioma lawsuit may help you afford treatment and other expenses in your life.
Mesothelioma lawsuits typically award compensation through settlements or trial verdicts. In a settlement, both parties agree to a compensation amount outside of court. If your case goes to trial, the judge and the jury may award an amount of compensation in court.
Some of our past mesothelioma settlements and verdicts for veterans include:
- $40.1 million verdict on behalf of a U.S. Navy veteran with mesothelioma
- $3.3 million awarded to the family of a U.S. Marine and installer in Ohio
- $4.3 million to the family of a 52-year-old U.S. Marine who died of mesothelioma
- $1.8 million to the family of a U.S. Army veteran in Illinois with pleural mesothelioma
- $2.5 million in mesothelioma settlements to a 60-year-old U.S. Navy veteran in New York
- $3.9 million collected for a U.S. Army veteran and painter in Maryland with mesothelioma
- $4.3 million in settlements to a Florida man who was a U.S. Army veteran and boilermaker
Please note that the amount you may receive depends on the facts of your unique situation. That being said, our asbestos attorneys will pursue as much compensation as possible in any mesothelioma cancer case.
How to File a Military Asbestos Lawsuit
The first step to filing a mesothelioma lawsuit is to contact a mesothelioma lawyer. Choosing an experienced attorney with access to a number of resources may be vital to the success of your lawsuit.
“Not many firms have the legal resources dedicated to the mesothelioma and asbestos litigation process we do. We have amassed an extensive library since 1999.”
– John Simmons, U.S. Army Veteran & Firm Founder
Our goal is to identify who is responsible for your asbestos exposure and hold them accountable for causing you to get sick.
During this process, your legal team will:
- Collect all the evidence about how and when you were exposed to asbestos
- Investigate the asbestos products and locations that may have caused your illness
- File any asbestos exposure claims on your behalf
- Pursue compensation through the form of a settlement or verdict
Our combination of compassion, resources and experience has helped us secure some of the largest asbestos verdicts and settlements in the country for veterans with mesothelioma and their families.
Why Simmons Hanly Conroy?
As one of the nation’s leading mesothelioma law firms, Simmons Hanly Conroy has helped over 3,000 veterans and their families get the justice and results they deserve.
Our firm has more than 60 mesothelioma lawyers who focus solely on helping people with asbestos-related cases. We also have in-house medical staff to answer any questions you may have regarding your diagnosis or treatment options.
At Simmons Hanly Conroy, we are not only dedicated to our clients, but also to our communities. As a veteran-founded law firm, we are passionate about giving back to organizations that support members of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Simmons Hanly Conroy has contributed to:
- Disabled American Veterans
- Joshua Chamberlain Society in St. Louis
- Wounded Warrior Project
- Stand Down, St. Louis
- Madison County Veterans’ Treatment Court
Veterans who work with Simmons Hanly Conroy can expect the highest-quality legal services available. Get a free legal consultation or call (800) 326-8900 to learn more.
Military Asbestos Lawsuit FAQs
When did the military stop using asbestos?
The military stopped using asbestos for new construction projects in the late 1970s and early 1980s. However, many buildings, ships and other transportation vehicles already containing asbestos remained in use for decades.
I served in the Armed Forces, but I’m not exactly sure where I was exposed to the asbestos that harmed me. Can I still file a veteran mesothelioma lawsuit?
Yes. Simmons Hanly Conroy has helped many clients who were initially uncertain of how they were exposed to asbestos. We have a great team of researchers and an abundant amount of resources to help determine where you were exposed to asbestos during your time in the military.
Our dedicated mesothelioma lawyers will work with you to determine the products that caused your asbestos-related injury and the manufacturers of that product.
What branches of the military used asbestos?
Unfortunately, all branches of the U.S. military used asbestos in some way throughout the mid 20th century.
This includes the:
Who will my veteran mesothelioma lawsuit be filed against?
Mesothelioma lawsuits are most often filed against the companies responsible for making the asbestos product — such as pumps, valves and insulation.
We identify the manufacturer who made or sold the asbestos products and equipment that may have been responsible for your asbestos exposure.
We do not file mesothelioma lawsuits against the U.S. military. The military, along with the general public, was kept in the dark about the dangers of asbestos. Instead, veterans can hold asbestos manufacturers accountable through a mesothelioma lawsuit.
Will filing a veteran’s mesothelioma lawsuit affect my disability benefits?
No. Filing a mesothelioma lawsuit will not prevent a veteran from pursuing or receiving any potential disability benefits now or in the future.
If you are a veteran battling mesothelioma, please contact us today for a free consultation regarding your specific situation. We are proud of the work we have done for our past veteran clients and hope you will give us the opportunity to serve you as well.
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Reviewed by:Brian J. Cooke- Fact-Checked
- Legal Reviewer
Asbestos attorney Brian Cooke joined the firm in 2004 and is now one of the firm’s partners. He previously served two tours of duty with the United States Marine Corps after graduating from University of Missouri Columbia’s School of Law. As an asbestos attorney, Brian has built his legal practice on being a legal voice for victims of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. He works hard to put his clients first.