A group of military attorneys working at Guantanamo Bay prison recently filed a lawsuit to compel the Department of Defense (DoD) to take steps to protect personnel working at Camp Justice. According to the claim, the military forced the plaintiffs to live and work in areas contaminated with asbestos, a cancer causing mineral once commonly used in many construction and industrial applications.

Following reports that an unusual number of former personnel deployed to the base developed mesothelioma and other deadly cancers, the U.S. Navy allegedly failed to investigate the situation and take corrective steps. Calling the defendant’s response an “unreasonable delay,” the lawsuit claims the DoD failed to take account for other cancer causing substances like mercury and formaldehyde while it put workers at risk for deadly diseases.

In addition to known carcinogens, the plaintiffs allege their accommodations suffered from being covered in mold, rodent droppings, and were generally disgusting. Meanwhile, more senior officers lived and worked in “hotel style” accommodations with a much higher standard of living than counterparts. Despite promises from commanders to examine whether or not the dilapidated accommodations posed health risks, deadlines came and went without any findings.

Military Continues to Ignore Dangers of Asbestos

The lawsuit claims that nine former military personnel stationed at Camp Justice developed cancer due to their exposure to carcinogens at the base, three of which passed away due to their illnesses. Unfortunately, this case is not the first or last instance of military men and women placed in harm’s way due to environmental factors like asbestos contaminated building materials.

Over many decades, countless sailors and soldiers were exposed to mesothelioma-causing asbestos aboard ships and inside facilities built with the fire-resistant mineral. Defense contractors used asbestos in many applications because of its heat resistant properties and because the substance was cheap and malleable.

In spite of knowing for decades about the health dangers asbestos posed to innocent people, companies using asbestos continued to utilize the material in their products but gave no warnings to builders. As a result, tens of thousands of men and women unknowingly developed mesothelioma, causing these individuals to incur serious medical bills and have their lives cut tragically short.

Fortunately, the law gives mesothelioma cancer victims and their families legal recourse to hold wrongdoers accountable for their careless actions by filing asbestos cancer lawsuits to recover for damages. While mesothelioma takes years to develop, strict time deadlines do apply to filing claims so victims are strongly encouraged to speak to an experienced nationwide mesothelioma lawyer about their case to preserve their legal rights.

Nationwide Mesothelioma Lawyer

If you or a loved one were diagnosed with mesothelioma, contact our office to speak to one of our experienced nationwide mesothelioma attorneys about your situation. Our office can help investigate your case and determine if compensation can be sought from negligent parties to help pay for your medical treatment to help you and your family live a more comfortable life.