Air Force Asbestos Exposure Lawyers
Vanessa Firnhaber Oslund, Partner, Bergman Oslund Udo Little Last Updated: June 17, 2025
The U.S. Air Force extensively used asbestos throughout the 20th century. Many service members were exposed to this hazardous material while working on bases and maintaining aircraft, putting them at high risk of developing serious illnesses, such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.
The respected Pacific Northwest law firm Bergman Oslund Udo Little helps Air Force veterans harmed by asbestos exposure during military service pursue the compensation and justice they deserve.
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- Why Air Force Veterans Are at Risk for Asbestos Exposure
- Symptoms of Mesothelioma in Air Force Veterans
- Legal Options and VA Benefits for Air Force Veterans With Mesothelioma
- Statute of Limitations for Air Force Mesothelioma Claims in Washington and Oregon
- Why Choose Bergman Legal for Your Mesothelioma Claim
- Contact Bergman Legal for Help With Air Force Mesothelioma Claims
- Many U.S. Air Force veterans were exposed to asbestos during their military service on bases and through equipment, putting them at risk for mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
- Air Force veterans sickened by asbestos exposure during military service can pursue compensation and benefits for their illnesses.
- Veterans may be entitled to claim benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs and file a lawsuit against the companies that supplied the asbestos-containing materials to the government.
- Bergman Oslund Udo Little can determine your options, file your claims, and pursue justice for you and your family.
Why Air Force Veterans Are at Risk for Asbestos Exposure
Many Air Force veterans were exposed to asbestos during their military service and have developed mesothelioma, a rare and deadly form of cancer. According to recent studies, veterans account for around 30 percent of Americans newly diagnosed with mesothelioma each year.
Asbestos was heavily used in many machines and buildings related to the Air Force, including dining halls, housing structures, and aircraft. It’s especially common in the following materials and components:
- Electrical equipment
- Flooring
- Gaskets
- Brakes
- Adhesives
Service members who worked directly with asbestos-containing materials are at the highest risk for diseases from asbestos exposure. These include aircraft maintenance staff, electricians, machinists, and demolition workers. When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed, the mineral’s tiny fibers become airborne, where they can be inhaled or ingested.
Asbestos exposure in the Air Force was more common in the past, but older machinery and structures still contain the toxic material.
Meanwhile, several military bases, such as George Air Force Base in California, are now abandoned because the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency detected high levels of asbestos and other contaminants in the soil and debris.
Symptoms of Mesothelioma in Air Force Veterans
Mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer that develops in the tissue lining the organs, such as the lungs or abdominal cavity. When asbestos fibers are inhaled or ingested, they can become lodged in the tissue lining bodily organs, resulting in harmful inflammation that can cause mesothelioma and other diseases to develop.
Asbestos exposure victims do not typically experience symptoms immediately after exposure. Mesothelioma’s latency period ranges from 20 to 60 years, meaning veterans who were exposed decades ago are now just receiving diagnoses.
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Cough
- Swelling
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
If you have experienced any of these symptoms and suspect you were exposed to asbestos, seek immediate medical attention. Early detection is crucial for a better outcome.
How Mesothelioma Affects Veterans' Health
Mesothelioma has serious and lasting effects on physical health, including symptoms such as fluid accumulation and nerve compression. If cancer spreads to the lymph nodes, it progresses more quickly and can be fatal.
This cancer also affects your mental health and well-being, especially if your prognosis is poor. Studies show patients with mesothelioma feel helpless and hopeless and struggle with cognitive symptoms.
After receiving a diagnosis, you may have several treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Unfortunately, these treatments are taxing on the body and usually result in large medical bills.
According to one study, the mean cost of inpatient care for mesothelioma in the United States is more than $24,124. This figure doesn’t include outpatient expenses, such as medication, physical therapy, and hospice. Many patients with mesothelioma are also unable to work and need the support of full-time caregivers.
Legal Options and VA Benefits for Air Force Veterans With Mesothelioma
After risking their lives for their country, veterans in the Air Force who are suffering from mesothelioma deserve financial support. They can seek compensation by filing lawsuits against third parties and applying for benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs, or VA.
Mesothelioma Lawsuits
If you have developed an illness due to asbestos exposure during your service in the Air Force, you cannot sue the government. However, you can file a mesothelioma lawsuit against the parties that manufactured and supplied the asbestos-containing products you encountered during your service.
Potential Damages
In a mesothelioma lawsuit, you can seek compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
Family members who have lost a loved one due to asbestos exposure in the Air Force can also seek damages through a wrongful death lawsuit against parties other than the government responsible for their loved one’s exposure. Wrongful death damages include compensation for funeral expenses, final medical costs, lost income and support, and loss of companionship.
Mesothelioma Trust Funds
Many manufacturers of products containing asbestos filed for bankruptcy due to mounting liability claims. Thus, you can no longer file a lawsuit against them. However, the courts required these companies to establish mesothelioma asbestos trust funds to compensate victims.
If a company with a trust fund is responsible for your illness, you can file a claim directly with the trust. A trust fund claim streamlines the legal process so you can get compensation more quickly.
How To File a Legal Claim for Mesothelioma as an Air Force Veteran
Mesothelioma claims are complex. You must determine the exact source of your exposure and establish a link to your illness. Thus, contacting asbestos and mesothelioma attorneys in Oregon and Washington is a vital first step. Your attorney will review the details of your claim and provide guidance.
Next, your mesothelioma lawyer will investigate and gather evidence for your claim, including your military records, work history, and medical files, to determine the source of your exposure and establish the extent of your losses. They will also calculate total damages based on your past and future losses.
Finally, your attorney will file a lawsuit or a claim with any relevant trust funds. They will negotiate for a settlement that fully compensates you for the effects on your life. If necessary, they will litigate your case and advocate for you in court to maximize your compensation.
VA Benefits for Air Force Veterans with Mesothelioma
Air Force veterans can also file for benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs. You may qualify for VA disability compensation, which provides monthly non-taxable payments. You may also be eligible for a pension and additional financial support for daily care.
Filing a VA Disability Claim
To be eligible for VA benefits, you must have a disabling condition connected to your military service. You also must have served on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training and have received an other than dishonorable discharge.
Mesothelioma is designated a presumptive condition for many veterans, meaning that if they meet specific service requirements, they do not have to prove that their mesothelioma is service-connected.
If you meet these requirements, you can submit a claim online, in person, or by mail. You will need to provide evidence of your mesothelioma, including medical and hospital records and supporting statements from people who know about your disability.
If approved, you’ll receive monthly VA benefits for veterans based on the severity of your condition and the size of your family.
Asbestos VA Disability Ratings
When you apply for benefits as an Air Force veteran, the VA assigns a disability rating based on how your condition affects you. The rating determines the level of compensation and benefits you should receive. The VA will assess your medical records and tests to assign your rating.
Veterans with a mesothelioma diagnosis automatically receive a 100 percent disability rating. Those with asbestosis, another asbestos-related disease, can receive a rating between 10 and 100, depending on the severity of the condition.
As of 2025, the base compensation rate for a 100 percent disability rating is $3,831.30 per month. This amount increases if you have a spouse or children.
Statute of Limitations for Air Force Mesothelioma Claims in Washington and Oregon
Although all Air Force veterans with mesothelioma deserve fair compensation, timing is critical. If you don’t file a lawsuit before the deadline imposed by the statute of limitations, the court will likely dismiss your case. Asbestos trust funds also have deadlines for filing claims.
In Oregon, the statute of limitations for mesothelioma claims is generally two years for personal injury lawsuits and three years for wrongful death claims. Washington has a three-year statute of limitations for both personal injury and wrongful death claims for mesothelioma.
The statute of limitations for mesothelioma claims is more complicated because many veterans don’t receive a diagnosis until years or decades after their initial exposure. Generally speaking, the clock doesn’t begin ticking until you receive your mesothelioma diagnosis.
Why Choose Bergman Legal for Your Mesothelioma Claim
At Bergman Oslund Udo Little, we’re proud to help Air Force veterans and their families seek fair settlements and verdicts. However, you don’t have to take our word for it. To better understand why you should choose us for your claim, our client testimonials describe the personalized attention we give to every veteran we represent.
Our Air Force Asbestos Exposure Lawyers
Our attorneys have deep experience with mesothelioma Air Force claims and understand your situation. They will take your case and concerns seriously and fight aggressively for the full compensation you deserve.
Vanessa Firnhaber Oslund
Partner Vanessa Firnhaber Oslund is passionate about fighting for mesothelioma victims during negotiations and in the courtroom. For more than a decade, she has advocated for clients to hold companies responsible for the harm they cause through asbestos exposure, obtaining many multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts.
Chandler Udo
Partner Chandler Udo has been a trial lawyer at the firm for over 10 years. During that time, he has tried multiple asbestos cases in state and federal courts, helping clients obtain settlements and verdicts worth millions of dollars.
Brendan Little
Partner Brendan Little has worked tirelessly with victims suffering from mesothelioma and other illnesses related to asbestos exposure. His clear communication and empathy allow him to support clients and their families through every stage of the legal process.
Ruby Aliment
Ruby Aliment is dedicated to holding corporations and government entities responsible for the harm they cause victims of asbestos exposure. Over the course of her nearly 10 years at the firm, her clients have received millions in compensation for physical and psychological harm due to mesothelioma.
Erica Bergmann
Erica Bergmann has been with the firm since 2018. She has helped build cases against multi-national corporations, including a $10 million jury verdict for a 79-year-old mesothelioma victim and his wife.
Myles Crandall
Myles Crandall became an attorney to fight against injustice. Previously a teacher and public defender, he takes every story of asbestos exposure seriously, determined to clearly explain the legal process to clients and maximize their settlements and verdicts.
Meg Price
Associate attorney Meg Price has fought for her clients against insurance companies and private corporations. She strives to promote attention and compassion for the struggles of mesothelioma victims.
Contact Bergman Legal for Help With Air Force Mesothelioma Claims
A mesothelioma diagnosis is life-changing, and Air Force veterans shouldn’t have to face it alone. With years of experience in handling mesothelioma claims, our firm is dedicated to supporting veterans suffering because of asbestos exposure in the Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, U.S. Navy, and Air Force.
Our Oregon and Washington asbestos and mesothelioma lawyers have recovered millions of dollars in damages for clients, helping alleviate their financial worries during and after treatment.
If you or a loved one is ill due to asbestos exposure in military service, contact us to learn about your mesothelioma compensation options and schedule a free consultation. Call our Washington office at 206-957-9510 or our Oregon office at 503-447-6230 to speak with an attorney today.
Why Air Force Veterans Are at Risk for Asbestos Exposure
Symptoms of Mesothelioma in Air Force Veterans
Legal Options and VA Benefits for Air Force Veterans With Mesothelioma
Statute of Limitations for Air Force Mesothelioma Claims in Washington and Oregon
Why Choose Bergman Legal for Your Mesothelioma Claim
Contact Bergman Legal for Help With Air Force Mesothelioma Claims
520 Pike St. #1125
Seattle, WA 98101
206-957-9510
1355 NW Everett St.
Suite 100
Portland, OR 97204
503-447-6230
