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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.
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
If your employer has failed to prevent or
safeguard against your injuries then you may be entitled
to make a claim.
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