If you served in the U.S. military between 1940 and 1990, there is a big chance you were exposed to asbestos, a highly toxic material that has been proven to cause cancer. In fact, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs reports that thousands if not millions of veterans were exposed to asbestos during their time in the military.

Being exposed to asbestos during your service in the Vietnam or Korean War doesn’t automatically qualify you for financial compensation. However, if you have been diagnosed with lung cancer or mesothelioma from exposure to asbestos, you might be eligible to receive compensation from a mesothelioma lawsuit. Most cases are extremely complex and only an experienced mesothelioma cancer attorney can figure out if you have a case.

Unfortunately, asbestos exposure is the main risk factor for mesothelioma, cancer of the thin layer of tissue that covers the internal organs. This aggressive cancer is difficult to detect early because signs and symptoms usually don’t surface until 30 to 50 years after the initial exposure to asbestos.

Before you can receive financial benefits for being diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, you will need to contact a professional mesothelioma law firm. This is especially important if you want to file a lawsuit. Your state has a certain time limit on how long you have to file a lawsuit after your diagnosis, which is why it’s important to contact the right asbestos lawyers immediately.

With experience and knowledge on their side, the right law firm can determine whether you have a case, especially if you have been denied your claim for disability compensation through the VA. The right asbestos lawyers can also provide you with information about asbestos-related diseases, such as lung cancer and mesothelioma. Most experienced law firms even have information about the best mesothelioma doctors near your town.

In order to have a successful case, it’s important to gather as much information about your illness and exposure to asbestos. For example, were you exposed while in the U.S. Navy, or were you exposed to the toxic material in military barracks? You might have been exposed to asbestos on Navy vessels, Coast Guard vessels or Merchant Marine vessels. You will need to clarify how you were exposed to asbestos and when.

To see if you qualify to receive financial compensation for an asbestos-related disease, please contact Mesothelioma-Navy, a law firm that assists veterans fighting mesothelioma. To learn more, please visit www.mesothelioma-navy.com.