LCAAP is one of the most critical and dirtiest military facilities in the country. The NATO National and Regional Test Center is also the single largest producer of small arms ammunition for the United States Armed Forces. In 1987, the EPA added Lake City Army Ammunition Plant to the National Priority List due to long-term use of asbestos, chlorinated volatile organic compounds (CVOC), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), explosives, perchlorate, heavy metals, and depleted uranium.
For various good and bad reasons, the government overlooked the health risks at LCAAP. In contrast, the thorough Lake City Army Ammunition Plant asbestos lawyers at Throneberry Law Group never overlook anything. As part of our Missouri mesothelioma practice, our legal team evaluates all possible options for these victims. No matter how much time has passed since the moment of exposure, you may be entitled to significant compensation.
Asbestos Exposure Illnesses
Microscopic asbestos fibers are among the most toxic substances on earth. Once inhaled, these fibers often cause mesothelioma or asbestosis.
Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer of the lining around the lungs and other organs that, mostly because it is difficult to diagnose and treat, has an extremely low survival rate.
Toxic asbestos fibers alter cellular DNA, causing tumors to form in the lining around the lungs. The thick membranes there often conceal these tumors from standard diagnostic imaging. Many mesothelioma victims also show no physical signs, such as pain or trouble breathing, for decades.
As a result, doctors often do not find these tumors until they spread into the lungs. At that point, the illness is in Stage II, limiting treatment options.
For example, chemotherapy is often unavailable. The tumor is so large that doctors must use massive doses of these drugs. The high dose often causes too many side effects. Additionally, many former military asbestos exposure victims are in their 70s or older. These individuals cannot medically tolerate extreme treatments.
An asbestos exposure lawyer connects these victims with doctors who use emerging techniques to treat mesothelioma, extending lifespan and the quality of life.
Asbestosis was the first medically identified asbestos exposure illness. Asbestos fibers scar the delicate tissue inside the lungs. As that scar tissue builds up, breathing becomes harder, and in severe cases the disease leads to respiratory failure.
Some asbestosis treatments are available, such as a radical lung transplant. However, this procedure is so risky that, in many cases, the cure is worse than the disease, which is saying quite a bit.
Civilian/Military Asbestos Exposure
We realize this header is confusing, so allow us to explain. Asbestos does not just affect the servicemembers who lived and worked at LCAAP. Asbestos also affects civilians who lived and worked in Independence.
Asbestos fibers are only slightly heavier than air. Once released, they usually float for at least seventy-two hours. As a result, they often drift very far away from the source, putting people in the surrounding area at risk for illness, even if they have no direct contact with asbestos-containing material.
These fibers do not float forever. If they settle into the ground, they cling to whatever grows out of the ground. So, a backyard garden essentially becomes an asbestos garden. These fibers are so small that victims are unaware of the poisoning.
VA Disability Basics
Civilian/military asbestos exposure victims typically have multiple legal options. Military/military asbestos exposure victims typically only have one option. But it is a very good option.
To qualify for VA disability compensation, veterans generally need three things, all of which we help document:
A current medical condition: a diagnosed asbestos-related illness such as mesothelioma or asbestosis
An in-service connection: evidence of asbestos exposure, injury, or illness during military service
A nexus: a medical link between the current condition and that service
The process begins when the disabled veteran submits an application, along with supporting medical records and service documents. In many cases, veterans must attend a Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam to help the VA assess the severity of their condition. After reviewing the evidence, the VA issues a decision and disability rating.
To determine the amount of benefits (more on that below), the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs evaluates each condition and assigns a VA disability rating ranging from 0% to 100%. This rating determines the amount of compensation a veteran may receive.
An initial adverse decision is not the final word in these cases. Several appeal options are available, and a 2017 law streamlined the appeals process.
VA Disability Benefits
A monthly cash stipend (the amount depends on the degree of disability) and free medical care at VA medical facilities are the primary benefits available.
Others include Special Monthly Compensation (SMC), which is an additional allowance for specific severe disabilities, such as asbestos poisoning, that require Aid and Attendance. Depending on the jurisdiction, other benefits may include property tax exemptions, adaptive housing grants, and low-cost life insurance.
Connect With a Dedicated Lawyer at Throneberry Law Group
Asbestos risks at facilities like Lake City touched workers and service members nationwide. Taking on the government’s contractors and large manufacturers calls for a firm built for nationwide litigation, and we also serve the area as Missouri mesothelioma lawyers.
So, only an experienced Lake City Army Ammunition Plant mesothelioma lawyer at Throneberry Law Group can obtain the compensation these victims need and deserve. Start the process now with a confidential consultation.