Do you think you might be a victim of mesothelioma as a result of someone else’s negligence? If you are diagnosed with mesothelioma, it maybe hard to get Social Security permanent disability or veterans benefits to pay for the necessary health care services. Mesothelioma victims are often entitled to receive significant monetary compensation, and funds are frequently set aside to satisfy mesothelioma victims. If you are in any of the high risk categories below, you should continue to do further research about your options and ways to maintain your health.

Asbestos Industry Mesothelioma Victims

Quite naturally, individuals working in asbestos mines, plants that processed asbestos or manufacturing facilities of asbestos products have a high risk of dangerous levels of exposure that could lead to mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases. Most documented cases of mesothelioma have involved victims that were exposure to asbestos on the job, and there are few places with as much asbestos contamination as the original source (i.e. mines) and the associated refining and manufacturing facilities.

Housing & Construction Mesothelioma Victims

Since asbestos was used for some time in various building, plumbing and electrical materials, many workers in the housing and construction industry have an increased risk of exposure to asbestos. Carpenters, plumbers, electricians, boiler room technicians, construction workers, demolition workers and HVAC technicians are included in a long list of those who have a higher risk of being a victim of mesothelioma. Firefighers are sometimes an overlooked category of workers who may deal with older buildings that have asbestos contamination.

Automobile Manufacturing Mesothelioma Victims

In addition to professionals in the building industry, automobile manufacturing workers, automobile mechanics and brake repairers also have potentially more frequent contact with asbestos, as the material is used on brake pads, brake linings, clutch pads and gaskets. Breathing in asbestos dust from these products can cause mesothelioma, in addition to lung cancer and asbestosis. Older vehicles have a higher likelihood of asbestos-containing parts, and some brakes and clutches produced today still contain asbestos, although in smaller quantities.

US Navy and Shipyard Mesothelioma Victims

People who have served in the US Navy or naval personnel who worked in ship yards and ship boiler rooms have a higher frequency of asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos-derived products were used extensively for insulation purposes in buildings, aircraft and vehicles. The US Navy, in particular, found many uses for it in its ships and shipyards from the 1930’s through the 1980’s. Mount Sinai School of Medicine, in a study it conducted, found that 86% of of ship yard workers with a long history of experience developed asbestos-related lung diseases.

World Trade Center (9/11) Mesothelioma Victims

The attack on the World Trade Center that brought the collapse of the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001 released an estimated 2,000 tons of asbestos into the air, most of which was in dust-form.

Hurricane Katrina Mesothelioma Victims

Natural disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina, also caused the release of many asbestos substances into the air, as damaging winds destroyed thousands of older asbestos-contaminated buildings and homes.