Asbestos on Ships
The ability to withstand high temperatures and its fire-resistant properties make asbestos an appealing mineral for shipbuilding. It was later discovered that asbestos is highly carcinogenic, meaning it can cause cancer. Asbestos exposure on the USS Kitty Hawk was common, as it was used in many areas of the ship. The types of diseases that asbestos exposure can cause include:
- Mesothelioma
- Asbestosis
- Pleural plaques
- Lung cancer
Asbestos Related Health Risks for Workers Aboard the USS Kitty Hawk
Many maintenance and crew members aboard ships were exposed to asbestos and later developed symptoms such as:
- Persistent cough
- Chronic wheezing
- Loss of appetite and unexplained weight loss
- Trouble sleeping and restlessness
- Chest pain
- Difficulty swallowing
- Abdominal pain
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- And more
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and suspect you were once exposed to asbestos, consult a health care provider right away. The latency period for mesothelioma is usually several decades, so it is crucial you get evaluated if you are experiencing symptoms.
Anyone who worked on ships, from maintenance to crew, would have experienced asbestos exposure on the USS Kitty Hawk.
Who Experienced Asbestos Exposure on the USS Kitty Hawk?
The USS Kitty Hawk was an aircraft carrier that was commissioned in 1961 and was in use until 2009. The vessel is known for being one of the longest-serving aircraft carriers in U.S. military history. It played a key role in the Vietnam War and was stationed off the Vietnam coast. Now, the ship has been dismantled and recycled. Throughout its decades of honorable service, asbestos was widely used in various parts of the ship. Many workers would have been exposed to the dangerous material while working on the ship during its construction, repair, or maintenance.
Although the USS Kitty has been decommissioned, the impact of asbestos exposure continues to affect many Veterans. If you worked on the USS Kitty Hawk and were exposed to asbestos, it is important to understand the health risks and take appropriate actions.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is caused by inhaling asbestos fibers over a certain amount of time. When asbestos is breathed in, the sharp fibers can become lodged in organ lining and eventually develop into a respiratory disease. Mesothelioma and lung cancer victims have many options to treat their illness such as chemotherapy, medication, rehabilitation, surgery, immunotherapy, and more.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, do not hesitate to get your due compensation. The money awarded for your diagnosis can help restore losses from medical bills, lost wages, decline in quality of life, and more. The Halpern Law Firm has over 35 years of experience in helping victims of asbestos exposure be duly compensated for their diagnosis. For a free consultation, call (800) 505-6000 or fill out our contact form. You can also get in touch with a legal representative 24/7 in the chat on the bottom left corner of your screen.
Sources: https://www.history.navy.mil/our-collections/photography/us-navy-ships/
