Whilst doing research for this article, a reference to the legendary American actor, Steve McQueen was noted. It indicated that he died from asbestosis. After delving a little deeper however, it became apparent that McQueen had got the disease of mesothelioma, a form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos, which he himself put down to being caused by exposure to asbestos whilst removing asbestos lagging on board ships, during his time as a marine in the US Department of the Navy.
This slightly unusual opening to an article about asbestosis, is to highlight a common misconception that many people hold, namely that they believe that the term ‘asbestosis’ is a general term for all diseases caused by exposure to asbestos. It is not. Asbestosis is one of the conditions that can be caused when asbestos fibres are inhaled. For a person to get asbestos disease, exposure to the killer fibres is usually prolonged, over a period of years. Hence the reason that asbestos disease is often referred to as being an industrial disease, as it is usually got by breathing in asbestos dust in the workplace.
Asbestosis is one of five main asbestos related conditions. The other four are;
1. Mesothelioma
2. Asbestos related lung cancer
3. Pleural Thickening
4. Pleural Plaques
What is Asbestosis and can it lead to other forms of asbestos disease?
Asbestosis is a scarring (fibrosis) within the lungs which is caused by prolonged exposure to asbestos dust or fibres. It is what is known as a progressive disease, which means that it gets worse over time. The rate of its progression varies. The stiffness of the lungs caused by the scarring, causes breathlessness and due to the progression of the illness, this can become severe. The disease is also known as pulmonary fibrosis and interstitial pneumonitis.
Asbestosis of itself is not a cancer, but having the disease can mean that developing asbestos related lung cancer or mesothelioma, itself a cancer, becomes a distinct possibility.
Although asbestosis is not a cancer, there is nevertheless, no available cure for it.
Is there any form of treatment available for asbestosis?
As there is no cure for the disease, managing it is the only way of alleviating the symptoms. This is often done by the person affected having oxygen therapy at home. This can give relief to the shortness of breath that a person with the disease, inevitably suffers from. It can also help to correct the underlying low blood oxygen levels. Physiotherapy, chest percussion and nebulized medication are also used to manage the condition.
As the disease progresses it becomes ever more disabling for the sufferer who becomes more and more restricted in what he or she is able to do. Walking around the home even becomes difficult. Cardiac arrest can occur in the later stages of the disease.
Symptoms of Asbestosis:
– Persistent dry cough
– Wheezing
– Shortness of breath
– Fatigue
– A pain in the shoulder or chest
Sometimes swelling or clubbing of the fingers occurs
As the symptoms of asbestosis are quite general in nature they can often be dismissed as some form of minor ailment. At Asbestos Aware UK one of our aims is to try and make people who have worked with asbestos, aware of the early signs of asbestos disease, so that the symptoms are not overlooked, or dismissed as not being important. We believe that anyone who has worked in occupations where they may have regularly come into contact with asbestos, should have regular check ups with their GP. Certainly, at the first sign of any breathing or chest problems, no matter how trivial they may seem, getting to see their doctor should be undertaken as a priority.
Latency Period
As with all forms of asbestos disease, the time between exposure to asbestos and symptoms starting to manifest themselves, can be a long one. This intervening period is known as the latency period. The onset of the symptoms of asbestosis often only start as many as 20 or more years after exposure to asbestos fibres. This is another reason that what may seem innocuous symptoms, but that may actually be a sign of asbestosis, can often be lived with initially on the basis that the sufferer thinks that they are nothing to worry about and will go away in due course. If asbestosis is present, they will not.
Claiming compensation for asbestosis
Once the disease of asbestosis has been diagnosed, it is possible for an asbestosis compensation claim to be brought. A specialist asbestosis compensation solicitor should always be sought out to get the ball rolling. Claims for asbestos disease compensation can be complicated. Bridge McFarland solicitors in Hull have a team of specialist asbestos disease compensation solicitors who are highly experienced in making asbestos disease compensation claims. The claim will involve finding out from the person affected, the identity of the place that they worked at when they were most likely to have been exposed to asbestos. Sometimes the exposure may have happened at the premises of more than one employer. With the passage of time, the employer may no longer exist or have changed their name. However expert and experienced asbestos disease compensation solicitors are used to this. In a majority of cases they are able to trace the insurance company of the employer and will be able to submit a claim to them.
Even if you have not yet been diagnosed with asbestosis or any of the other asbestos conditions but know that you worked in an environment where asbestos was being worked on or with, even if it was by your colleagues and not you, then should you find yourself reading this article at a time that you have started to experience some of the symptoms described, call James Burrell or Leanne Keating of Bridge McFarland solicitors. They will be only too pleased to give you some advice. If it transpires that you are then subsequently, or have already been, diagnosed with asbestosis or another asbestos related disease then James or Leanne will be able to start making a claim for you.
As a general rule of thumb, you have 3 years from the date of diagnosis to bring a claim.
Bridge McFarland will be able to work for you on the basis of a No Win, No Fee Agreement.
For more information call Bridge McFarland on 01482 730326 or email info@bmcf.co.uk and an expert asbestos disease compensation solicitor will call you back, at a time convenient to you.
