Asbestosis Claim

Asbestosis is a lung disease that can develop when a person is exposed to the asbestos fibers or particles. Inhaling asbestos particles may cause severe lung damage and breathing difficulties. Asbestos fibers can generate symptoms of asbestosis in afflicted people decades after the initial exposure to asbestos. If you are diagnosed with asbestosis and you found that your asbestos exposure was associated to your present or past employment, then you can make a compensation claim against the responsible employer.

Make your asbestosis claim by hiring the services of the experts at Clearwater Solicitors. Call us on 08000 430 430 or complete our online enquiry from to request a call back.

Causes of Asbestosis

Asbestosis is caused by inhaling harmful asbestos particles. It is known as an occupational lung disease, as workplace exposure is frequently to blame. Workers in manufacturing industries in which asbestos is used as a major component of different materials can have a greatly increased risk of developing asbestosis. The severity of asbestosis depends upon the amount of fibers inhaled and the time of exposure. Larger quantities of inhaled asbestos and prolonged exposure to asbestos-containing environments for years cause more damaging cases of asbestosis. Cigarette smokers have a tendency to develop asbestos-related diseases.

Occupations with more risk of Asbestosis

Workers in some specific industries and occupations are particularly likely to be affected by asbestosis. Such industries and working places are:

• Construction materials manufacturing industries,
• Construction sites (demolition, renovation)
• Fire proofing,
• Mining and milling of asbestos,
• Railway working
• Electrician,
• Carpentry and woodworking,
• Welding,
• Insulation installing.

Symptoms of Asbestosis

Symptoms of asbestosis appear decades after the patient’s initial exposure to asbestos. The severity of symptoms depends upon the intensity and extent of asbestos exposure. Some of the different symptoms of asbestosis are;

• Chest pain,
• Coughing with mucus and sputum,
• Swelling of neck and face,
• Breathe shortness,
• Appetite loss and loss of weight,
• Swallowing difficulties,
• Chest stretching, and
• Nail abnormalities.

Diagnosis of Asbestosis

Different examination and tests can be used to diagnose asbestosis. If the chest makes wheezing sounds, which is one symptom of asbestos, this can be heard with a stethoscope. Other tests that can diagnose asbestosis are:

• Proper physical checkups,
• Chest X-Rays,
• Lung CT scans,
• Test of lung function,
• Pulmonary function tests.

Treatment of Asbestosis

While a complete cure of asbestosis is not possible, there are treatment methods that prevent asbestosis from progressing further. Treatment for asbestosis is also used to reduce the severity of the devastating symptoms of asbestosis. These methods include:

• Oxygen therapy to recover from shortness of breath,
• Respiratory physiotherapy remove secretions from the lungs,
• Medicines are used to reduce the intensity of pain,
• Influenza vaccinations and pneumococcus bacterium vaccinations can prevent the condition from worsening,
• Abstaining from smoking reduces the likelihood of a person developing asbestosis.

Employers’ Responsibilities

Keeping the workplace free from all kind of hazards and risks is the legal and moral duty of employers. Employers should ensure that their workers are not exposed to any dangerous or toxic chemicals. To check if workers are at risk of asbestos exposure, employers can carry out risk assessment at the workplace to identify and eliminate this hazard. If it’s not possible to eliminate asbestos fibres from the workplace, then employers should provide their employees with proper training and suitable personal protective equipment to avoid the risks of asbestos exposure.

Asbestosis Compensation Claim

If you or anyone you know is diagnosed with asbestosis caused by an employer’s negligence at the workplace, then the afflicted person is eligible to make an asbestosis compensation claim. You are entitled to be compensated for all your pain and suffering, medical treatment costs and other financial losses. A complete cure is not possible, but receiving compensation may give you a slight relief in the rest of your life.

We at Clearwater Solicitors have plenty of experience in dealing with industrial diseases claims. We make sure our clients collect the compensation  they deserve, either from their current or former employer. Start your industrial disease claim or consult with our expert solicitor about your asbestosis claim by dialing 08000 430 430 today! You can also complete our online enquiry form and we will give you a call back.