Asbestos Related Diseases

Asbestos Related Diseases

Asbestos related diseases are caused by the inhalation of the dusts from asbestos fibres, and many people will, over the course of their life breathe in asbestos dust, often by virtue simply of living in an industrial city. However very few people actually contract asbestos related diseases or illnesses. Those unfortunate enough to do so are likely to suffer from one of the asbestos related diseases described below:

Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is an asbestos related cancer which predominantly affects the outer lining of the lungs (called the pleura) although it can also occur elsewhere in the body such as the peritoneum which is the lining of the abdominal cavity. In mesothelioma cases patients suffer breathlessness, weight loss, fatigue, chest and back pain and jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin) when associated with the lungs and also abdominal swelling when affecting the peritoneum.

Cases of mesothelioma are usually diagnosed after a chest x-ray or CT scan but sometimes a biopsy is required. The vast majority of victims suffering from mesothelioma have worked with asbestos or been exposed to it from washing clothing of someone who works with asbestos. Mesothelioma cases can occur as a result of even a very short exposure to asbestos although the greater the exposure the more likely the chance of contracting the disease. There is no safe level of exposure to asbestos.

There are very few other causes of mesothelioma and certainly smoking cigarettes does not contribute the risk of developing the condition.

A case of mesothelioma is the most serious of the asbestos related diseases. There is no known cure. In some mesothelioma cases symptoms can occur up to 50 years after exposure.

Lung Cancer

Lung cancer unlike mesothelioma has many different causes. The most common cause is cigarette smoking, but exposure to large quantities of asbestos can also cause lung cancer. Obtaining evidence of the quantities of asbestos that you were exposed to can be very important. EAD have a panel of engineers who are experts in this field.

Lung cancer symptoms include breathlessness, chronic chest infections, coughing up blood, pain and weight loss. Treatments are available in the form of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery.

Employers and insurers often challenge a diagnosis of asbestos related lung cancer if the x-rays and scans do not show any signs of asbestosis as well as the lung cancer. This is especially so if it is the case that the victim had a smoking history. Obtaining the right medical evidence is therefore very important.

Asbestosis

Asbestosis is commonly referred to as a catch all condition for anyone who has been exposed to asbestos. However it is an independent condition of its right.

Symptoms of asbestosis include shortness of breath, chronic coughing, finger clubbing and tiredness. Asbestosis is a progressive condition which will often get worse as the condition develops leading to an increasing respiratory disability.

Asbestosis is usually caused by exposure to asbestos although employers and insurers often challenge a diagnosis of asbestosis on the grounds that it may well be 'idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis' which is a very similar condition. A major difference is in the rate of deterioration of asbestosis compared to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. It is therefore very important to ensure your lawyer understands the medical aspect of your asbestosis case and employs the right medical expert, asking him or her the right questions.

At EAD we have a specialist asbestos team with over 100 years combined experience enabling us to deal with the most complex of asbestos related disease cases.

Diffuse Pleural Thickening

This is an asbestos related condition which often develops from benign pleural effusion. Areas of the lung wall are thickened due to scarring caused by asbestos fibres.

The condition is not usually life threatening although it can lead to significant respiratory disability. Often pleural thickening may be a sign of increased chance of developing a more serious asbestos related disease in the future.

Pleural Plaques

These are small areas of scarring on the lungs which do not cause any respiratory disability. As the law currently stands compensation can not be obtained for a diagnosis of pleural plaques alone unless it is accompanied by a diagnosis of another asbestos related condition. This may change in the future by provision of a government based scheme for compensation based upon the fear caused by knowledge of the risk that a more serious asbestos related disease may develop at a later stage.

If you need more information on mesothelioma cases, or any of the other asbestos related illnesses, or think you may have grounds to claim for an asbestos related disease, our asbestos solicitors are here to lend a hand.