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Pleural Thickening Claims

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Pleura is a protective membrane or layer around lungs. Damaging and scarring of this layer is known as pleural thickening. It is a severe lung disease which can harm breathing and can cause lung function failure. A major cause of pleural thickening is identified as asbestos fibers, which are usually inhaled by the victim at their workplace. Your employer is responsible for ensuring your safety at work, so if you have suffered pleural thickening because of your working environment, then you can claim industrial disease compensation from your employer.

Make a pleural thickening claim by consulting our free services, or receive legal advice about your industrial disease case by calling us on 08000 430 430. You can also complete our online enquiry form to request a call back.

Causes of Pleural Thickening

Pleural thickening is usually caused by long term exposure of asbestos or inhalation of asbestos fibers. These fibers cause pleural thickening, swelling and scaring when they come in contact with the pleural membrane. This severely damages lung function, and the effects of pleural thickening are irreversible.  Workers associated with asbestos handling or those who work in an asbestos-containing environment are particularly likely to be affected by pleural thickening.

Other than asbestos, some other agents that can result in pleural thickening are:

  • Drugs,
  • Infections,
  • Chemotherapy,
  • Radiation therapy, and
  • Tuberculosis

Professions with a High Risk of Pleural Thickening

Occupations that pose a particularly high risk of asbestos exposure and pleural thickening are:

  • Carpenters,
  • Electricians,
  • Construction workers,
  • Miners,
  • Textile workers,
  • Demolition workers,
  • Painters,
  • Welders, and
  • Metal workers.

Symptoms of Pleural Thickening

Symptoms of pleural thickening develop after several years of asbestos exposure and may vary from person to person. Without carrying out diagnostic tests, pleural thickening cannot be identified. Some of the observed symptoms in patients of pleural thickening include:

  • Shortness of breath and breathing difficulties,
  • Chest tightening and stretching,
  • Chest pains,
  • Weight loss and appetite loss.

Diagnosis of Pleural Thickening

Asbestos can cause different illnesses such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and pleural thickening. All asbestos-related diseases have similar symptoms and an exact diagnosis is not possible without tests. Pleural thickening is usually diagnosed through:

  • X-rays
  • CT scans
  • Chest Radiograph (CXR)
  • Positron emission tomography (PET scan)

Treatment of Pleural Thickening

Pleural thickening is a preventable but incurable disease. Different medicines can be used to reduce the intensity of symptoms and to comfort the patient to some extent, making it easier for them to breathe. Some treatments, medicines and processes include:

  • Pain medications,
  • Steroids,
  • Antibiotics,
  • Bronchodilators, and
  • Surgery to remove the affected area of lung.

Employer’s Responsibility

Pleural thickening and other asbestos-related illnesses can be eliminated from the workplace. Asbestos is identified as a highly harmful substance, so other chemicals and substances should be used as alternatives.  If asbestos usage cannot be eliminated, then employers should provide proper protective equipment such as face covering and inhalers to their employees in order to help them avoid exposure with asbestos.

Pleural thickening Compensation Claims

Making a pleural thickening claim is not very simple, as the symptoms of this condition appear many years after the initial exposure to asbestos. Finding the responsible company /employer (in cases when the company has stopped working) and making a claim requires the services of specialist industrial disease solicitors.

Clearwater Solicitors has brought many successful industrial disease claims forward, including pleural thickening disease claims. Our experienced solicitors are experts in chasing the negligent parties and their insurers. We make sure our clients win their desired amount of compensation. If you or anyone you know has suffered from pleural thickening due to an employer’s negligence, then start a pleural thickening claim with Clearwater Solicitors.

You can talk to one of our expert solicitors about your pleural thickening claim by calling us on 08000 430 430 or completing our online enquiry from to request a call back.

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