Symptoms of asbestosis, mesothelioma and pleural thickening caused by working with asbestos
Many of the symptoms and conditions associated with asbestos exposure can take decades to manifest themselves. More here on asbestos exposure illnesses and also asbestos compensation case studies
The main symptoms are described as follows:
- Shortness of breath, wheezing, or hoarseness.
- A persistent cough that gets worse over time.
- Blood in the sputum (fluid) coughed up from the lungs.
- Pain or tightening in the chest.
- Difficulty swallowing.
- Swelling of the neck or face.
- Loss of appetite.
- Weight loss, fatigue or anemia.
It is usually by way of a chest x-ray or a CT scan that a person learns that there are changes to their lungs caused by asbestos exposure. A person may have visited their GP with a complaint of a shortness of breath, or chest pain, or a persistent cough.
Please note:
we have had a number of enquiries from claimants stating that doctors are failing to properly diagnose conditions relating to asbestos. If you or your family have encountered this you may be able to claim for medical negligence compensation. Please speak to us if you need an unbiased legal opinion.
Please note: that we have had a number of enquiries from claimants stating that doctors are failing to properly diagnose conditions relating to asbestos. If you or your family have encountered this you may be able to claim for medical negligence compensation. Please speak to us if you need an unbiased legal opinion.
Their GP will refer them to the local chest clinic at the hospital where they have a chest x-ray. After receiving the x-ray result the GP will then arrange an appointment with a chest specialist at the local hospital to get expert advice on the lung disease.
Read more about the law relating to controlling hazardous substances at work
Therefore, it is the chest x-ray that is often the first time that the person is alerted that they have actually developed an asbestos related respiratory disease. An asbestos victim may be entitled to Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit if the asbestos related disease was caused by asbestos at work. This benefit is dealt with by Jobcentre Plus.
The benefit is only paid to asbestos victims who have diffuse pleural thickening or lung cancer (with also asbestosis or diffuse pleural thickening) or mesothelioma.
You will be asked to attend a medical examination. If you get Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit at 100% rate and need daily care and attention, you may also get Constant Attendance Allowance. A telephone service is available for people with disabilities and their carers, known as the Benefit enquiry Line.
See our asbestosis compensation pages for more information on related problems. Many thousands of sufferers are being diagnosed each year and many may be entitled to both compensation and benefits from the DWP. More on lung disease claims and mesothelioma claims.
Call our helpline today to find out if you or a relative are able to claim for no win no fee asbestos compensation. We can also deal with personal injury for accidents at work.
Please note:
If your employer has failed to prevent or safeguard against your injuries then you may be entitled to make a claim.
