How to check for asbestosis

How does asbestosis develop?

Asbestosis is a lung-condition that develops due to prolonged inhalation of asbestos particles. Over time, lung tissue becomes thickened and stiff, and the asbestos particles cause scarring, which reduces the lungs' ability to transfer oxygen into the bloodstream as effectively.

This in turn causes difficulties breathing and results in one of the most commonly reported symptoms, persistent coughing.

What are the early signs of asbestosis?

Asbestosis, similar to other industrial diseases, is best caught early so it is important to know what to look out for even in the early stages. Due to the way it develops in the lungs, early signs of asbestos are often related to breathing. This means that, if you believe there is any risk you could have been exposed to asbestos, you should make a doctor's appointment if you notice a persistent cough or wheezing.

Other common early symptoms of asbestosis include:

• Coughing
• Wheezing when breathing
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain

How do you test for asbestosis?

Initially, your doctor will listen for crackling sounds in your breathing, and they may ask about your history to ascertain if you could have been exposed to asbestos. If your medical professional thinks there is a risk, they may order an x-ray of your chest to look for scarring on your lungs.

If the X-ray suggests asbestosis, a CT scan can provide more detailed images of the lungs, helping to assess the extent of lung damage.

How is asbestosis diagnosed?

Throughout the tests mentioned above, your doctors will be looking for signs of disease in your lungs such as scarring or blurs on your scans. They will also explore your history to pinpoint when you could have been exposed to asbestos.

You may be referred to a specialist before you are given an official diagnosis as some results of the tests are not unique to asbestosis and could lead other diagnoses, such as mesothelioma or silicosis.

How do I claim for asbestosis?

Claiming for asbestosis requires:

• an official diagnosis;
• the medical history of your appointments and tests; and
• information about where you could have been exposed.

Fortunately, our team of experts are on hand to help you, work with you, and guide you through this process. They can help obtain medical records from your doctors and find information about where you may have been exposed to asbestos.

Making a claim for asbestosis can be a complex process, so it is vital that you have the support of experienced industrial disease lawyers to handle your claim and support you throughout. This includes supporting you in obtaining your medical records and insurance information for those responsible for your exposure. Our asbestosis experts can support you and your loved ones through a claim and have a proven track record of successful cases.

In one such case, our client began a claim on behalf of her father after he passed away. During his life, our client's father was told by a local solicitor that he did not have an asbestos claim as there was no evidence or official diagnosis of asbestosis.

Our client came to us on behalf of her father to ask us to investigate this claim further as she did not completely trust the decision of the other solicitor. We obtained witness statements from her father’s former colleagues and issued proceedings at court.

Extensive correspondence was exchanged, and negotiations took place which meant the insurers of her father's employer admitted they were at fault for his asbestos exposure and agreed to pay compensation.

We are here to help

Our industrial disease experts can support you in your claim no matter the circumstances. With an archive of successful cases spanning more than 40 years, we have specialist experience and expertise to support you and your loved ones in making an asbestosis claim.

Many of our solicitors are highly ranked in independent legal directories, such as Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500, providing you with industry-leading legal services. Our holistic approach to every case also means you’ll get more than our award-winning legal expertise; we work hard to secure access to any treatment or rehabilitation that could help our clients live more comfortably, and our partnerships with charities and support organisations like HASAG, READLEY and Mesothelioma UK provides unrivalled support and guidance.

To find out how we can help you, call us today on 0330 041 5869 or contact us online here to arrange a callback.