Does the 2022 Burn Pit Exposure Bill Compensate Asbestos Exposure?
Under the new 2022 Burn Pit Exposure law (PACT Act), many asbestos-related illnesses caused by asbestos exposure while serving in the military can be compensated through the Veterans Affairs disability program.
Asbestos Exposure and the 2022 Burn Pit Compensation Law for U.S. Military Veterans
When stationed overseas, the military has to determine how to dispose of all kinds of garbage and waste without norms like the biweekly garbage pickup that we are afforded at home.
For a long time (think: over 20 years) the military solved this problem by creating and maintaining burn pits.
A burn pit is a large, open-air area used by the military to burn hazardous and toxic waste, mostly throughout Iraq and Afghanistan, but in a few other countries as well.
It was a common practice, and anything you can think of would have been included; items like food, medical and human waste, discarded uniforms, batteries, tires, mail, paint cans, plastics, rubber, chemicals, and even asbestos were burned in tandem.
The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), surveyed its members in 2020 and found that:
86% were exposed to burn pits,
88% of members believed they may already be experiencing adverse health symptoms from their exposure, and
Only 53% of exposed members registered in the burn pit registry.
Help and compensation is now available for veterans exposed to toxic chemicals in burn pits.
In April, the VA added 9 additional, rare, respiratory cancers, as well as 3 additional “presumptive conditions” that can qualify veterans for payment.
In June, the Senate passed legislation (called the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022) to expand healthcare access to the millions of veterans exposed to toxic burn pits.
If it became law, the bill would increase healthcare coverage from 5 years after exposure to 10 years, allowing more time for any potential veterans’ symptoms to develop and be diagnosed.
It also would add 23 more illnesses to the eligible list for compensation due to burn pit exposure.
Is there good news for veterans injured by toxic exposure from burn pits?
Fortunately, the answer is yes.
On August 2, 2022, the bill was passed with an 86-11 vote.
It marks the largest healthcare expansion for veterans in 3 decades.
Veterans have made enormous sacrifices for us all, and we should take care of them without getting hung up on politics.
Ensuring they receive the appropriate care and compensation for their illnesses is paramount.
Deployed service members face many risks, especially during times of war, but they don’t expect those risks to follow them home.
That is why legislation like the PACT Act is so important.
Visit http://www.AsbestosClaims.law for all your asbestos questions and for free legal help.
