ASBESTOS COMPENSATION CLAIMS

If you have been diagnosed with Asbestosis within the last 3 years and it is associated with Asbestos Exposure from your past or present employment then contact LPS today.

LPS has dedicated Industrial Disease solicitors that have helped thousands of people regarding asbestosis claims compensation. We aim to the maximum amount of compensation available for your claim using our No Win No Fee asbestosis claims process.

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a chronic (long-term) lung condition caused by prolonged exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a soft, greyish-white material that does not burn. In the past it was widely used in building construction to protect against fire and as a form of insulation.
Asbestos is a general term that refers to a group of minerals made of long, crystalline fibres. Asbestos fibres are very strong and resistant to heat, electricity and chemicals. It was widely used in industries such as:

• insulation
• shipbuilding and railways
• electricity generation
• building and construction

There are three main types of asbestos:

• crocidolite – blue asbestos
• amosite – brown asbestos
• chrysotile – white asbestos

All types of asbestos are hazardous, but blue and brown asbestos are much more dangerous than white asbestos.

The most common type of asbestos for industrial use was white chrysotile asbestos. Amosite and crocidolite were banned in the 1980s, although voluntary bans on the industrial use of both of these materials came into force earlier than this. No crocidolite was imported into the UK after 1970. Chrysotile was not banned until 1999. There are still large amounts of all types of asbestos present in old buildings.

Symptoms of Asbestos

Breathing in asbestos dust can scar the lungs, which can lead to:

• shortness of breath
• cough

These symptoms usually begin many years after the initial exposure to asbestos. In most cases, the symptoms do not become apparent until 15 to 30 years after exposure.

Swollen fingers, known as finger clubbing, is a less common sign of asbestosis. It is usually associated with more advanced cases. Asbestosis means the lung tissue has become scarred due to previous asbestos exposure. Pleural plaques or pleural thickening caused by asbestos are not the same as asbestosis. In these conditions, the membrane that covers the lungs (pleura) is damaged by asbestos, but the lungs themselves are unharmed.

What to do now?

We suggest that you contact our expert team for a free no-obligation consultation. There is nothing to lose! If you are busy, you can click here to arrange a callback time or alternatively, you can call 08009961807 and ask to speak to our family department experts.

ASBESTOS COMPENSATION CLAIMS

Treating Asbestos

There is no cure for asbestosis once it has developed because it is not possible to repair lung damage caused by asbestos. Some people with asbestosis find their condition progresses over time, although many do not.

The most important thing someone with asbestosis can do is to stop smoking (if they smoke). This is because the progression of asbestosis is more common in smokers compared with non-smokers. In cases of asbestosis, smoking also increases the risk of lung cancer.

Treatments, including oxygen therapy, can significantly improve the quality of life of someone with asbestosis. People with asbestosis have a higher risk of developing other serious conditions, such as those described below.

• Lung cancer – one of the most common and serious types of cancer.
• Mesothelioma– a type of cancer that affects the membrane that covers the lungs, heart and gut.
• Pleural disease – the membrane that covers the lungs (pleura) becomes thicker. If the thickening is localised to a few patches, the condition is known as pleural plaques, which do not cause symptoms. However, if there is more thickening, it is known as diffuse pleural thickening. This can contribute to breathlessness and chest discomfort. Most people (about 95%) with asbestosis also have pleural thickening or pleural plaques.

Severe cases of asbestosis can place a significant strain on a person’s health and shorten their life expectancy. However, in many cases the condition progresses very slowly, or not at all. More people with asbestosis die as a result of one or more of the cancers mentioned above rather than from asbestosis itself.