Veterans have dedicated their lives and efforts to keep the country safe, but this often comes with risks. In military bases outside of the United States, all sorts of waste are disposed of by burning in the military burn pits. Exposure to toxic fumes from burn pits has been reported to cause many health complications, including respiratory disorders and cancer.

Members of the military service and private military contractors who have served in Afghanistan and Iraq have joined in filing a toxic exposure lawsuit after developing serious illnesses from exposure to military burn pits. The lawsuits have been filed against the government or other military contractors for their failure to protect the veterans from the effects of burn pits exposure. This blog will cover the effects of these military burn pits and how you can join a mass tort to seek compensation if you have incurred health complications from them.

What are Military Burn Pits?

A burn pit is an area in the military base used for burning waste materials. The military bases in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other parts of the Middle East countries produce too much waste, which must be disposed of one way or another. With all kinds of material being burnt at the burn pits, the fumes from these fires can be extremely toxic.

Burn pits are mostly used for small short-term operations when the military cannot establish a better disposal method. Exposure to a burn pit could be harmful to your health depending on:

  • Materials that are burnt in the pit
  • The proximity and frequency of your exposure
  • Presence of other airborne hazards in the area
  • Weather conditions

In most cases, military contractors put the following types of waste in burn pits:

  • Petroleum
  • Chemicals
  • Lubricant products
  • Food waste
  • Human waste
  • Plastics
  • Wood
  • Aluminum and metal cans
  • Medical and human waste
  • Electronics

Burning these items could produce toxic fumes that could irritate your eyes, skin, and lungs when inhaled. While these symptoms could go away as soon as the exposure ends, they could indicate a more serious and life-threatening condition. When inhaled, these toxic fumes have been seen to result in serious respiratory and sometimes heart conditions.

Veterans have complained that there is always a smell of burning plastic lingering in the air around the bases. Some service members started to experience irritation and coughing and were later diagnosed with bronchitis, asthma, and other respiratory conditions. Although the Department of Defense banned improper waste disposal in the military bases, many veterans were already exposed to the toxins, and some had developed health complications.

Common Conditions Caused by Military Burn Pits Exposure

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs provides veterans with the necessary benefits to cover their healthcare costs for conditions related to their military service. The department is still investigating the long-term effects of burn pits exposure. However, with the data that already exists, the following conditions are linked to the toxic exposure:

Cancer

Exposure to burning pit smoke is a significant factor in developing several forms of cancer. Veterans who have served in the military have reported stomach, lung, skin, and brain cancers. Lymphoma, prostate, and testicular cancer have also been listed as service-connected cancers in the VA registry.

Asthma

As reported by the VA registry, asthma is a common side effect of smoke inhalation from the military burn pits. Studies have also shown that military members who had pre-existing asthma or other pre-existing respiratory conditions had an increased risk of developing cancers and cardiovascular illnesses after-burn pits exposure.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a condition that causes disruptive breathing during your sleep. This makes it a respiratory condition and a sleeping disorder. Although the link between the burn pits and sleep apnea is undergoing further studies, the VA registry has noted the condition. Sleep apnea is characterized by dry mouth, loud snoring, excessive sleepiness during the day, and severe headaches.

All the above symptoms of sleep apnea make it challenging to have a good night’s rest which can affect the veterans to secure gainful employment after leaving the military. As with most disabilities, the rating for sleep apnea will depend on the specific situation and its effects on your life.

Bronchitis

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes and is a result of irritation. Bronchitis lasts for weeks and can recur frequently. Military burn pits are linked to bronchitis in that the toxic smoke from these pits irritates and narrows the bronchus causing difficulty when breathing.

Pulmonary Conditions

Lung disease is a commonly reported health condition by service members and veterans participating in the burn pit registry. One of the common lung issues is the development of scar tissues within the lungs. This condition causes excessive mucus, breathing problems, and wheezing sounds when one breath. While the condition could be made less severe with appropriate medications, it does not cure.

Neurological Conditions

Exposure to burn pits has been linked to neurological conditions such as stroke, peripheral neuropathy, and Parkinson’s disease. Neurological conditions that affect brain function make it difficult to return to normal life. Most people who suffered these conditions fair to enjoy their lives to the fullest. If you can establish that your condition is directly linked to burning pit exposure while you served in the military, you can file a lawsuit or join a mass tort for the same.

Severe Migraines

Migraines are serious headaches that come with confusion, sensitivity to light, and nausea. Research indicates that some military service members who did not have a history of serious headaches before working around the burn pits exhibited migraine symptoms. Although the long-term consequences of migraines are not determined, you can seek compensation for the condition.

Cardiovascular Problems

Research has shown a link between exposure to toxins and fumes from military burn pits with cardiovascular complications.

Eligibility for a Burn Pit Claim

Before you can file a claim for injury and illnesses, you must ensure that you are eligible to recover compensation. You are eligible to be part of the lawsuit if you are a worker covered under the defense act and includes individuals who have worked on:

  • US land used for military purposes
  • United States military base outside the US
  • A civilian contractor under a government contract
  • A public work contract for the US government outside the continent

In addition to being a worker under the defense act, you must prove the link between your medical diagnosis and the exposure to the burn pits. If you have been diagnosed with a serious or disabling condition and you believe that it is linked to burning pit exposure, you already have what is needed to begin the process of filing a claim against the liable parties. Medical evidence, which includes the doctor’s statements, your diagnosis, and lab reports, can be used to support your claim.

Protected Veterans

The United States Department of Labor works to ensure that veterans are protected from discrimination. Therefore, when a veteran suffers disability during their service, they must receive reasonable accommodations to continue to work. The DOL also states that all agencies working under the federal government must comply with these regulations. If you fall under the category of protected veterans, you are entitled to considerations after an injury or illness from the military burn pits exposure. Protected veterans include:

  • Recently separated veteran — A veteran who has been separated from the military, active duty within three years.
  • Disabled veterans — These are veterans who are entitled to compensation under laws administered by the secretary of veteran affairs or ones who were discharged from duty owing to disability.
  • Armed forces medal veteran — A veteran who participated in a military operation received a medal while in active military service.
  • Active duty war veterans — This is a veteran who served in active military duty at one time or another.

Burn Pit Registry

As the VA further investigates the health implications associated with exposure to burn pits, service members are encouraged to sign up for the Open Burn Pit Registry. The Burn Pit Registry allows military service members to document symptoms and health conditions that they believe are associated with the burn pits.

Exposure to toxic fumes and chemicals from military burn pits may be one of the most serious issues veterans may face. The process of seeking compensation for the injury and disability resulting from the exposure can be lengthy and challenging. The main aim of establishing the burn pit registry is to collect information about lung disease, respiratory illnesses, pulmonary conditions, and cancers relevant to a burn pit lawsuit.

Additionally, the VA will use these conditions to educate veterans on what they can look out for when working around the military burn pits. While enrollment in the burn pit registry is voluntary, it will be very beneficial when you seek to apply for disability benefits or file a lawsuit. The information in the registry can be a crucial piece of evidence to support your claim.

Some of the benefits associated with a burn pit registry include:

  • You can save and submit information from an optional health evaluation support of your claim. When you record symptoms or illnesses that you think to result from burn pit exposure, you do not have to seek treatment or evaluation from a military doctor.
  • Participating in the registry will not impact your ability to recover compensation for health care expenses from the VA. Also, you cannot be barred from filing a lawsuit against the individuals responsible for the burn pit.
  • You do not need to be a member or an active participant for you to file a VA claim.
  • You can participate in the registry even when you do not recall the exact exposure to the burn pits.

Legislation and Research on the Consequences of Burn Pits Exposure

The Veterans Burn Pits Exposure Recognition Act helps veterans who have suffered illnesses from burn pit exposure establish a relationship between the exposure and the illnesses. While the VA does not recognize burn-pit health-related medical conditions, the bill helps remove unnecessary obstacles when filing a compensation claim. If you are eligible for compensation, you can fill out a questionnaire that helps you understand the long-term effects of the exposure.

Burn Pits Lawsuit Denied by the Supreme Court

More than eight hundred veterans came together to file a lawsuit against KBR and other contractors who operated military burn pits overseas. The plaintiffs in the lawsuit claimed that they were exposed to toxic fumes due to the materials burned in these pits. The court of appeal found that KBR was following directions from the military. Therefore, they could not be held liable for their waste management activities.

It is deeply disappointing that the brave men and women in military service who were harmed by exposure to the burn pits could not recover their rightful compensation. The current laws failed to hold the government contractors responsible for the burn pits accountable for their actions.

Joining a Mass Tort for Military Burn Pits Exposure

A mass tort is a legal action where multiple plaintiffs can file a lawsuit against one or more fault parties. A mass tort claim is made in civil court, and it involves similar grievances and individuals who have suffered physical injuries or damages resulting from the negligence of another person. If you or your loved one has suffered injuries from exposure to the military burn pits, you may be entitled to compensation. Joining a mass tort allows you to come together with other victims of the situation and file a claim.

Join a Military Burn Pits Lawsuit Near Me

While on active duty in the military, service members could be exposed to various hazardous materials or airborne toxins. Burn pits are a major area of concern since they burn all types of materials, including plastics, human waste, food, and even dead animal remains. Inhalation and exposure to toxins from the burn pits can result in serious and long-term health consequences which may not be detected until years later.

If you or your loved one has suffered injuries or an illness from burn pit exposure while serving in the military, you may be entitled to compensation through legal action. Filing a lawsuit against the government and other contractors for burn pit exposure injuries is challenging. Therefore, you will require expert guidance. At Consumer Alert Now, we will offer you any information you may need about military burn pits exposure and guide you to the path of seeking compensation. Call us today at 800-511-0747.