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Asbestosis

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Asbestosis Compensation is paid as a result of scarring of the lungs that can lead to breathing problems and heart failure. This scarring is caused by inhaling tiny particles of asbestos. Anyone who is diagnosed with this condition should contact a specialist lawyer to find out if they are eligible to claim damages.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring type of flexible fire-resistant mineral fibre. In the past asbestos was used in a variety of ways. It was added to strengthen products or to give them heat insulation or fire resistance. It was usually combined with some sort of binding material, stopping it from being released into the air. However if it does becomes airborne or inhaled these tiny fibres can remain in the lungs for a long time producing a risk of severe health problems in the future.

This illness is a serious, long-term disease of the lungs but it is not a cancer and it is not usually fatal. The scarring of the lungs caused by the mineral fibres makes breathing difficult, as it’s hard for oxygen and carbon dioxide to pass through the lungs. The disease usually progresses slowly. The latency period for the onset of a confirmed diagnosis is generally between ten and twenty years after the initial exposure.

These fibres are too small and thin to be filtered by the nose or the bronchi. Asbestosis begins to develop when one of these particles is breathed in. This fibre gets deep into the lungs and meets a gas exchanging structure called an alveolus. These alveoli are full of cleaning cells called macrophages that protect the lungs by destroying invading particles. The macrophages try to destroy the asbestos particles but are unable to. In the attempt to destroy the glass-like asbestos particles the macrophage cuts itself open. This causes the digestive molecules in the macrophage to spill into the alveolus and injure it.

Prolonged and greater exposure causes large-scale injury. This often develops years after exposure to the fibres. Diagnosis involves a pulmonary function test which tests for a restrictive lung disease pattern.

This condition can develop into lung cancer however this most commonly happens to people who have a history of smoking and a history of contact with asbestos. A smoker who has been exposed to the fibres is 90 times more likely to develop lung cancer than a non-smoking person who has not been exposed. Smokers who have been exposed at some point in their lives are at much greater risk of developing lung cancer than smokers who have never been exposed to the substance. Asbestosis is more often the cause of another serious disease (such as lung cancer) than a life-threatening disease itself. There are often a number of possible causes for the more serious condition. This makes asbestosis compensation cases more complicated and it is helpful to work with a solicitor who is experienced in these particular cases.

We are a national network of specialist personal injury solicitors with extensive experience of asbestos related disease compensation claims using the no win no fee scheme. Damages are paid in full with no deductions and our claim service is completely risk free. For free advice just complete the contact form and a member of The Law Society panel of personal injury experts will telephone you with no obligation.