Memorial Day: Veterans Outraged by Controversial New Asbestos Bill

Memorial Day honors our nation's fallen heroes in every branch of the military. True Americans are grateful to the men and women in uniform who have served our country. However, in Wisconsin, the governor and legislature bowed under pressure from asbestos industry lobbyists to make it harder for veterans and their loved ones to obtain compensation for asbestos-related injuries and resulting medical expenses.

New Law Places Unfair Burden on Veterans with Mesothelioma

Wisconsin's outrageous new legislation was signed into law by Governor Scott Walker despite the opposition of a number of veterans' organizations.

Veterans' groups feel betrayed. They see this new law as favoring large, wealthy manufacturers and placing an unfair burden on veterans. Jason Johns, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Asbestos Victims Network, who represented the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Military Order of the Purple Heart in lobbying against the bill, stated, Many of our members recognize the great things that the governor and the state legislature have done for veterans this legislative session, but unfortunately all of the good will now be overshadowed by the ignoring of our pleas to stop this devastating legislation to our veterans and their families from becoming law.

The new law in Wisconsin may delay justice for months, if not years, for our veterans and others who may have been harmed by asbestos. The provisions of the bill may prevent veterans from obtaining the full amount of compensation they might otherwise receive during their lifetimes.

According to Ricky LeBlanc, Managing Attorney for Sokolove Law, America's first national mesothelioma law firm, The governor and lawmakers in Wisconsin have done a serious disservice to our veterans with this badly drafted legislation. Basically it tells veterans, You are going to have to wait longer, fight harder, and face more obstacles to get justice for the harm caused to you by the asbestos industry.' The manufacturers lobbied long and hard for this law because they simply don't want to pay for what they did.

At Sokolove Law, we can assist veterans and their loved ones to help get justice in a timely manner.

Veterans Make Up Nearly 1/3 of All Mesothelioma Victims

Asbestos legislation matters to veterans because they account for nearly one third of all mesothelioma victims in the United States. Many in this group are Navy veterans; but all branches of the military show higher than average rates of mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma, a rare and deadly cancer, is caused by exposure to asbestos. Many veterans were exposed to asbestos during their military service. Asbestos was used in shipyards, ships, tanks, military bases, many types of military transport and hardware, and even clothing. Mesothelioma can take decades to develop, and when it appears, the diagnosis can be devastating. It is one of the most aggressive forms of cancer.

The Importance of Asbestos Attorneys to Veterans

A diagnosis of mesothelioma brings more than health concerns for veterans and their loved ones. Treatment can cost $100,000 or more. There may be lost wages, additional expenses for home care, and the many other expenses that can accompany serious illness.

Asbestos attorneys help veterans with mesothelioma obtain compensation from the manufacturers who had knowingly exposed veterans to this dangerous substance. An experienced mesothelioma law firm can help veterans fight for the compensation they deserve.

Sokolove Law proudly thanks veterans for their service and will continue to fight for them.

Have you or a loved one been diagnosed with mesothelioma? Call today for a free, confidential legal consultation.

Author:
Sokolove Law Team

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The Sokolove Law Content Team is made up of writers, editors, and journalists. We work with case managers and attorneys to keep site information up to date and accurate. Our site has a wealth of resources available for victims of wrongdoing and their families.

Last modified: October 4, 2017