San Diego is home to the largest concentration of military within the entirety of California as well as the nation, with more than 100,000 active duty service members in the state. Veterans also decide to make San Diego home after their service has ended, with well over 200,000 veterans residing in San Diego.
San Diego’s significant military population is due in large part to its Naval bases and Marine Corps bases, such as Naval Base San Diego, which is the largest Navy base on the West Coast. Similarly important is the Marine Corps base Camp Pendleton, which is where key amphibious and sea-to-shore training for the Corps is conducted.
San Diego’s proud military history is also sadly attached to the reality of asbestos exposure and mesothelioma risk.
Mesothelioma Among Military Veterans
Today, it is a given that asbestos is banned for almost any use case since it is now known that exposure to asbestos fibers can cause mesothelioma. Decades ago, however, asbestos was highly regarded for its fire-resistant and chemical-resistant properties and resilience, making it ideal for industrial applications.
Asbestos on military bases, then, was quite common. Asbestos could be used for everything from industrial production to Navy engine rooms, making the asbestos problem widespread for veterans. Just about anywhere you could find a boiler, furnace, shipyard or mining side you would be likely to find asbestos in regular use.
It is also common knowledge that asbestos was used with alarming frequency on warships during World War II and The Korean War. Even vehicles for the Army had wiring with asbestos coating, potentially exposing servicemembers who maintained military motor pools.
The constant asbestos exposure for military veterans in the 20th century has made mesothelioma a serious health issue for veterans. Although veterans comprise a mere 8% of the country’s population, 30% of those who have passed away from mesothelioma were veterans.
San Diego Veterans Affected by Mesothelioma
A 2006 Navy investigation uncovered that the San Diego Naval Shipyard had a number of shipyard locations that had asbestos contamination. While these sites have since been cleaned up, it is a sobering reminder that too many veterans have been exposed to asbestos and lost their lives as a result.
California ranks #1 in the country for asbestos deaths in no small part because of the toll asbestos exposure has taken on our veterans. In fact, environmental group reports in the early 2000s found that San Diego County alone had the eighth-highest number of asbestos-related deaths in the country.
Even today, research has shown that San Diego County has an average of 154 asbestos-related deaths per year. While asbestos has taken a heavy toll on our veterans, there are many non-military jobsites in San Diego that have exposed employees to asbestos, including popular hotels, important air traffic towers and even local colleges.
Talk to a San Diego Mesothelioma Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one was exposed to asbestos and received an asbestos-related diagnosis, know that you can receive compensation that holds parties responsible for exposing you to asbestos.
The Ledger Law Firm fights for veterans, their families and any other San Diego worker who was exposed to the dangers of asbestos fibers. We will build a strong case on your behalf that shows your asbestos-related illness was caused by wrongful asbestos exposure, which will entitle you and your loved ones to deserved compensation.
Billions of dollars are already set aside in trust fund assets to compensate those who have been harmed, so reach out to us today to take the first step toward receiving the funds you need. Contact us today for a legal consultation with a California mesothelioma lawyer to file a claim against all responsible parties who caused your exposure.
