Air Force WAF Veterans, Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma Lawsuits
The Women in the Air Force (WAF) program served to bring women into limited roles in the United States Air Force. The WAF was formed in 1948 when President Truman signed the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act allowing for women to serve directly in the Armed Forces. The WAF program ended in 1976 when women were accepted into the U. S. Air Force on an equal basis with men.
The WAF program was distinct from the Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS), a small group of female civilian transport pilots that was formed in 1942. WAFS was folded into the Women Air Force Service Pilots (WASPs) in 1943; WASP was disbanded in December 1944.
Women veterans who served in the U. S. Armed Forces from 1930-1980 have a greater risk of developing an asbestos related disease in their lifetime than the general population.
- There are almost two million women veterans.
- There are more than 214,000 total women serving in the military.
- 33, 000 women served in World War 1.
- 500,000 served in World War 2.
- 120,000 women severed during the Korean War.
- 7,000 women were deployed during Vietnam War.
- 40,000 women were deployed during Desert Storm (7% of the total U.S. forces).
- Air Force WAF Veterans that have been diagnosed with Mesothelioma or any Asbestos related diseases may be eligible to receive compensation from responsible asbestos companies and manufacturers.
Most Veterans do not start showing asbestos related symptoms until 10-50 years after their initial exposure. Asbestos exposure is responsible for approximately 10,000 deaths each year in the United States.
From the 1930s until 1980, many U. S. military planes, bases, vehicles and barracks were constructed with parts containing asbestos, such as engines, brakes, wiring and other materials that needed to be insulated from the extreme heat. Asbestos was used in U. S. base buildings and base housing used by U. S. service members and their families.
Air Force WAF Veterans and Asbestos Exposure
Thousands of U. S. servicemen and women came into contact with asbestos fibers during their tour of service. Many Veterans diagnosed with Mesothelioma have complained that they were not given any warning, training or respiratory protective gear when handling, installing, loading, repairing, or removing asbestos-containing products.
- Asbestos was used by the U. S. Military in more than 300 different materials and products.
- Millions of U. S. Veterans have been exposed to asbestos during their tour of service.
- A recent study showed that as many as 30-40% of Mesothelioma victims is U. S. Veterans.
- Mesothelioma has affected veterans from all branches of service including those who worked in Navy shipyards.
- The U.S. Military used thousands of asbestos-containing products in their ships between the 1920-late 1970’s.
- Asbestos was listed as the top contaminant at 32 U.S. Army base closures during the 1990s.
- Mesothelioma and other asbestos related diseases primarily occur in Veterans between the ages of 55-75.
- Veterans who served between 1940 and 1980 have the greatest risk of developing Mesothelioma or an asbestos-related cancer.
- 14 in every 1,000 WW II shipyard workers died of an asbestos-related disease compared to 18 in every 1,000 combat related deaths.
Asbestos was used heavily in the shipbuilding and in military ships. Many veterans working in confined quarters have been exposed to asbestos.
Asbestos is most dangerous when inhaled or ingested. Most U. S. Veterans are particularly at risk because that worked on building and demolition projects that exposed them to asbestos fibers and dust. It was nearly impossible to avoid coming into to contact with asbestos if you worked on military construction sites.
Veterans were daily exposed to toxic asbestos dust and fibers where they inhaled and ingested them without any protection in their workplace. Families of workers and other military veterans that were exposed to asbestos secondhand are also developing Mesothelioma and other asbestos-related disease.
Veterans diagnosed with Mesothelioma have complained that they were not given any warning, training or respiratory protective gear when handling, installing, loading, repairing, or removing asbestos-containing products.
Image Source: af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/497548/womens-legacy-parallels-air-force-history/
FIND OUT IF YOU QUALIFY TODAY! – Call Our Nationwide Toll-Free Mesothelioma Helpline – 888.640.0914
Women in the Air Force (WAF Ranks) Veterans and Asbestos Exposure
Airman Basic: Air Force WAF Veterans at the entry level, exposed to asbestos during training or in older military facilities where asbestos was used in construction.
Airman: As they advanced, Air Force WAF Veterans were exposed to asbestos in maintenance work on aircraft and facilities.
Airman First Class: These individuals encountered asbestos while working on older aircraft and buildings, risking exposure to the hazardous mineral.
Senior Airman: As Senior Airmen, exposure to asbestos occurred during maintenance tasks and renovations on military bases.
Staff Sergeant: Staff Sergeants oversaw projects involving asbestos-containing materials, increasing their exposure risks.
Technical Sergeant: Involved in various construction projects, they faced asbestos exposure from older building materials.
Master Sergeant: Their leadership roles involved overseeing asbestos-related tasks, potentially leading to exposure.
Senior Master Sergeant: Senior Master Sergeants were exposed during maintenance activities on aging aircraft and infrastructure.
Chief Master Sergeant: With increased responsibility, they encountered asbestos during larger-scale projects and renovations.
Second Lieutenant: Junior officers like Second Lieutenants worked in asbestos-containing buildings, risking exposure.
First Lieutenant: First Lieutenants were exposed during facility inspections and maintenance, particularly in older structures.
Captain: Captains were involved in construction projects that disturbed asbestos materials.
Major: Majors overseeing base operations might have faced asbestos exposure risks during renovations and maintenance.
Lieutenant Colonel: Their role included supervising asbestos-related work, potentially leading to exposure.
Colonel: As leaders, Colonels might have encountered asbestos while overseeing base infrastructure projects.
Brigadier General: Involved in high-level decisions, they oversaw asbestos abatement efforts and faced related risks.
Major General: Major Generals, with responsibilities for base facilities, were exposed during maintenance and construction work.
Lieutenant General: Lieutenant Generals encountered asbestos while managing base infrastructure and asbestos removal efforts.
General: At the highest rank, Generals faced asbestos exposure risks in overseeing base operations, renovations, and maintenance activities.
Women have a 1 in 16 chance of developing malignant Mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease in their lifetime.
Women Veterans and Mesothelioma Cancer
- Men are 4 times more likely than women to be diagnosed with Mesothelioma cancer.
- Women represent 8-10% of all diagnosed Mesothelioma cases in women with an average age of 60.
- Asbestos-related symptoms in women can occur 10-50 years after their first asbestos exposure.
- Ovarian cancer in women has now been linked directly to asbestos exposure from talc products.
- Mesothelioma cases in women are on the rise and studies show that women are more at risk through secondhand exposure.
- Researchers in Australia are linking asbestos exposure and women that participated in do-it-yourself home renovations with a rise in diagnosed Mesothelioma cases.
- An Irish Cancer Society study recently showed majority of the women in Ireland who are diagnosed with Mesothelioma due to exposure to fibers on their husband’s work clothes.
- Medical studies have shown that women who are diagnosed with Mesothelioma are more likely to be diagnosed with Peritoneal Mesothelioma in their abdomen.
- Women that worked in shipyards, oil refineries, power plants, steel mills, and factories during World War II have developed Mesothelioma later in life.
- In 1997, a study at Durham and Duke University Medical Centers reported that a history of asbestos exposure was a factor in about 75% of the women who participated in the study.
Women veterans who served in the U. S. Armed Forces from 1930-1980 have a greater risk of developing an asbestos related disease in their lifetime than the general population.
- There are almost two million women veterans.
- There are more than 214,000 total women serving in the military.
- 33, 000 women served in World War 1.
- 500,000 served in World War 2.
- 120,000 women severed during the Korean War.
- 7,000 women were deployed during Vietnam War.
- 40,000 women were deployed during Desert Storm (7% of the total U.S. forces).
Air Force and Asbestos Exposure
- The U. S. Air Force (USAF) was founded in 1907 as the air power division of U. S. Army.
- The U. S. Air Force broke away from the U. S. Army in 1947.
- Because asbestos has an ability to withstand extreme heat, it was used widely throughout the U. S. Military.
- The U. S. Armed Forces used asbestos-containing products in ships, aircraft, buildings, barracks, mess halls, and other military facilities.
- The Department of Veterans Affairs states that there are over 25 million Americans that have previously served in the U.S. Military.
- USAF Veterans were also exposed to asbestos working in aviation crash crews and when fighting fires and rescuing personnel from burning planes.
Asbestos was found in the Eagle Ridge housing area on Ellsworth Air Force Base after a recent inspection of military housing.
Asbestos Exposure on the U.S. Air Force Bases
For many U.S. Air Force veterans, their service came with unexpected health risks. Asbestos, widely used in construction and insulation, inadvertently found its way into Air Force bases, vehicles, and structures, impacting veterans’ health. In this post, we explore how these veterans were exposed to asbestos and their options for seeking justice.
Academies: Asbestos exposure occurred during construction at academies.
Agencies: Asbestos risks existed in agency offices and facilities.
Air Stations: Air station structures contained harmful asbestos materials.
Bands: Asbestos was present in band practice rooms and buildings.
Barracks: Barracks construction extensively used asbestos-containing materials.
Bases: Numerous base buildings and facilities incorporated asbestos materials.
Buildings: Asbestos was extensively used in constructing various buildings.
Centers: Centers and their structures commonly contained asbestos.
Clinics: Asbestos hazards were present in clinic buildings and facilities.
Command Centers: Command center facilities frequently had asbestos materials.
Depots: Depots utilized asbestos-containing materials during construction.
Dispensaries: Asbestos risks existed in dispensary buildings and structures.
Education Centers: Asbestos was frequently present in education center construction.
Facilities: Numerous facilities used asbestos-containing materials during their construction.
Facilities: Asbestos hazards were often present in various facilities.
Fire Stations: Fire station buildings commonly contained asbestos materials.
Fuel Annex: Asbestos exposure occurred during maintenance at fuel annexes.
Galleries: Asbestos was used in gallery construction, posing risks.
Hangars: Asbestos was used in hangar construction, posing hazards.
Hospitals: Asbestos was present in older hospital buildings.
Housing: Asbestos was used in housing construction.
Installations: Asbestos exposure occurred during installation maintenance.
Laboratories: Asbestos was occasionally used in laboratory facilities.
Motor Pools: Asbestos exposure happened during vehicle maintenance.
Museums: Asbestos was used in museum construction.
Offices: Asbestos was commonly used in office buildings.
Oil Fields: Asbestos exposure occurred in oil fields.
Power Plants: Asbestos was used in power plant construction.
Radar Sites: Asbestos exposure occurred during radar site maintenance.
Schools: Asbestos was present in school construction.
Squadrons: Asbestos exposure happened in squadron buildings.
Stations: Asbestos was used in station construction.
Storage Tanks: Asbestos exposure occurred during storage tank maintenance.
U.S. Air Force veterans made immense sacrifices, and their health should never have been compromised by asbestos exposure. If you or a loved one served and have been diagnosed with asbestos-related illnesses, you have rights. Seek justice against those responsible by consulting an experienced attorney in Air Force mesothelioma cases to secure a brighter, healthier future.
TO GET HELP – Our Nationwide Toll-Free Mesothelioma Helpline Number is 888.640.0914
Common Asbestos Products Used by the U.S. Air Force
Asbestos products commonly found on military bases, including those where nurses served:
Adhesives: Doctors encountered asbestos exposure when using adhesives during equipment repairs.
Ammunition Storage Areas: Insulation containing asbestos fibers in ammunition storage areas risked exposure for doctors during inspections.
Anchors: Handling anchors with asbestos coatings risked fiber release, affecting doctors’ health.
Boatswain’s Chairs: Asbestos-containing chair components posed inhalation and contact risks for doctors using them.
Boiler Insulation: Military doctors inspecting ship boilers faced asbestos exposure as insulation deteriorated.
Bulkhead Insulation: Deteriorating bulkhead insulation on naval bases risked asbestos fiber release, affecting doctors.
Caulking: Asbestos-containing caulking used in ship construction could release fibers, impacting doctors’ health.
Compasses: Asbestos components in compasses posed inhalation risks for doctors working with navigational equipment.
Deck Coatings: Used during repairs, asbestos-containing deck coatings could pose exposure risks for doctors.
Duct Insulation: Doctors working on military bases encountered asbestos exposure as duct insulation deteriorated.
Electrical Panels: Insulation in electrical panels posed inhalation hazards for military doctors during maintenance.
Electrical Wiring Insulation: Doctors working with asbestos-insulated wiring during installations and repairs risked exposure.
Elevator Shafts: Asbestos materials in elevator shafts risked fiber release, impacting doctors’ health on bases.
Engine Components: Military doctors maintaining ships faced asbestos exposure from engine components.
Fire Doors: Doctors inspecting asbestos-containing fire doors risked exposure on naval bases.
Fireproofing Materials: Asbestos-containing fireproofing materials used in construction posed exposure risks for doctors.
Flooring Tiles: Handling asbestos-containing floor tiles posed exposure risks for military doctors.
Gaskets: Asbestos-containing gaskets in ship machinery risked exposure during maintenance for doctors.
Hydraulic Systems: Doctors maintaining military equipment faced asbestos exposure from hydraulic systems.
Insulated Hoses: Handling hoses with asbestos materials risked fiber release, impacting doctors’ health.
Joint Compound: Doctors on bases faced asbestos exposure from joint compound used in construction.
Lockers: Asbestos-containing locker materials on naval bases could deteriorate, posing risks for doctors.
Mast Insulation: Deteriorating mast insulation risked asbestos fiber release, affecting doctors’ health on ships.
Missile Systems: Handling missile systems with asbestos components risked exposure for military doctors.
Packing Materials: Asbestos-containing packing materials on military bases posed exposure risks for doctors.
Pipe Insulation: Doctors inspecting deteriorating pipe insulation encountered asbestos exposure.
Pumps: Military doctors maintaining equipment faced asbestos exposure from pump components.
Refrigeration Systems: Asbestos materials in refrigeration systems on bases posed exposure risks for doctors.
Sealants: Doctors working on construction projects faced asbestos exposure from sealants.
Steering Systems: Asbestos materials in steering systems risked fiber release, affecting doctors’ health.
Turbines: Maintenance of ship turbines with asbestos-containing parts risked exposure for military doctors.
Valves: Doctors inspecting and repairing valves with asbestos components faced exposure risks.
Ventilation Systems: Deteriorating ventilation system materials on bases risked asbestos fiber release, impacting doctors’ health.
Winches: Military doctors operating winches with asbestos components faced exposure risks.
These exposures could lead to serious health issues like Mesothelioma. Military Doctors, like other military personnel, should be aware of these risks and seek compensation if affected.
FIND OUT IF YOU QUALIFY TODAY! – Call Our Nationwide Toll-Free Mesothelioma Helpline – 888.640.0914
Choosing a Mesothelioma Lawyer: A Guide for Military Veterans
If you’re a U.S. Military Veteran who’s been diagnosed with mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure during your service, you may have legal options to seek compensation. Choosing the right mesothelioma lawyer is crucial, as it can significantly impact your settlement.
Specialized Expertise: Mesothelioma cases are highly specialized. Look for a lawyer experienced in handling mesothelioma cases, particularly for Veterans. Their knowledge can make a substantial difference in your settlement.
Timely Action: Mesothelioma cases can take 1-3 years to settle. Asbestos companies may delay proceedings, but a skilled attorney will work to expedite your case. If a patient passes away, it becomes a wrongful death case, allowing family members to seek compensation.
Understanding Mesothelioma: Mesothelioma is a rare and deadly cancer affecting organs like the lungs and abdomen. If you experience symptoms, consult a doctor immediately. Early detection is critical.
Support for Veterans: Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma face tough questions about living with the disease and legal options against asbestos manufacturers. Seek legal counsel to explore your rights.
Asbestos Trust Funds: If a loved one has passed away from mesothelioma, consult an experienced lawyer to learn about compensation options from asbestos trust funds, which total over 30 billion dollars.
Statute of Limitations: File your mesothelioma claim within your state’s Statute of Limitations. The window to file varies but is typically 2-3 years, with some states allowing up to 6 years. Don’t let this window expire while grieving.
Mesothelioma Latency Period: Understand that mesothelioma can develop 10-50 years after exposure. Even if you were exposed during your service, you may still be eligible for compensation.
Comprehensive Assistance: Reach out to experienced mesothelioma lawyers who will come to you, providing comprehensive support to navigate the legal process.
Navigating a mesothelioma diagnosis as a military Veteran can be overwhelming, but the right lawyer can guide you through the process. Call our Mesothelioma Toll-Free Helpline at 888.640.0914 for expert help and answers to your questions. Your well-being and rights matter.
About Mesothelioma Attorneys
Mesothelioma attorneys specialize in helping individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure secure economic damages. These damages are vital financial compensation that aims to alleviate the financial burdens accompanying mesothelioma.
Economic damages cover a wide range of expenses, including medical bills for surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, medications, and ongoing medical care. They also address lost wages and future earning capacity, acknowledging the impact mesothelioma can have on one’s ability to work.
To navigate the complexities of economic damages, mesothelioma attorneys provide essential expertise. They assess eligibility, gather crucial evidence, and advocate tirelessly to secure the compensation individuals rightfully deserve. Economic damages are a crucial lifeline for mesothelioma patients and their families, helping them manage the financial implications of this challenging disease.
Taking Legal Action
When confronted with the devastating impact of a mesothelioma diagnosis resulting from asbestos exposure, pursuing legal action becomes a crucial step towards securing the compensation you rightly deserve. Our team is here to assist you in initiating a mesothelioma lawsuit with an experienced mesothelioma attorney, ensuring the protection of your rights and the delivery of justice. Discover today which Asbestos Trust Funds you may be eligible for to receive compensation.
Schedule a FREE Case Consultation
Scheduling a free case consultation is your first step toward seeking justice in mesothelioma cancer lawsuits. We are ready to assess your unique situation and provide the guidance you will need during this challenging time. Take this essential step toward pursuing fair compensation for your mesothelioma-related injuries.
Get Help from an Experienced Mesothelioma Attorney
When dealing with the complexities of mesothelioma cancer lawsuits, getting help from an experienced injury attorney is crucial. For more than 24 years, we have assisted workers, veterans, and families in obtaining the compensation they deserved from negligent asbestos companies. Contact us at 888.640.0914 to secure the support you will need throughout your pursuit of fair and just compensation.
24 Hour Call Back Guarantee!
Fill out our free Mesothelioma case evaluation form and an experienced Mesothelioma lawyer will call you to immediately start processing your claim at no cost to you.
Call Today! 888.640.0914 – Chat Available 24/7 – 365 Days a Year!
Air Force WAF Veterans, Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma Lawsuits