Asbestosis is a chronic lung condition characterized by shortness of breath and other symptoms. The disease is caused by inhaling asbestos particles. If you or a loved one are diagnosed with asbestosis, somebody may be responsible for paying you compensation.
The Cause and Symptoms of Asbestosis Disease
Asbestosis disease, as its name implies, is caused by breathing asbestos particles. Asbestos is a naturally-occurring mineral that has a fibrous texture. It is used in construction because of its anti-corrosive and fire-resistant qualities.
Breathing asbestos fibers can be very dangerous, as it can scar the lungs and induce conditions such as asbestosis, mesothelioma, or other forms of lung cancer. As fibers get into the lungs, it causes scarring that can eventually turn cells cancerous. Know the symptoms of asbestosis disease so that you can seek medical attention if they arise.
Symptoms of Asbestosis Disease
The symptoms of asbestosis are similar to those of mesothelioma and other forms of lung cancer. Breathing asbestos fibers can cause serious damage to your lungs, and you may notice that you are not breathing normally if you have developed asbestosis. Other symptoms of asbestosis include:
- Coughing up blood
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain or tightness
- A persistent cough that is dry, and that does not go away after a long period of time
- Loss of appetite and unexplained weight loss
- Your toes and fingertips take on an abnormally wide, rounded quality
If you or your loved one experienced any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately. If you receive a diagnosis of asbestosis disease, consider that somebody may be responsible for your exposure to asbestos.
Asbestos Exposure Is a Real Possibility
Though we know that asbestos can cause potentially deadly health conditions such as mesothelioma and asbestosis disease, it remains a common building material.
Breathing asbestos is linked to three primary health conditions. They are:
- Asbestosis
- Mesothelioma, a form of lung cancer
- Other forms of lung cancer
If you receive a diagnosis of any of these conditions, you may be the victim of asbestos exposure. When considering where you were possibly exposed, consider your own home. Some of the most likely places for asbestos-containing materials to be in the home are:
- In heat-resistant fabrics
- In insulation in walls or attics
- In insulation around heat-emitting devices such as stoves or furnaces
- Around pipes, especially those that contain hot water or steam
- In certain types of layered paints
- In certain types of roofing, including certain shingles
- In some vinyl materials, such as laminate flooring
Asbestos becomes most dangerous when an asbestos-containing material is ripped or torn, dispersing fibers into the air. This means that certain segments of the population are at a greater risk of breathing asbestos. These groups are:
- Construction crews
- Demolition crews
- Those who work in attics or anywhere that exposes them directly to insulation
- Pipe fitters
- Automobile parts makers and assemblers, as some car parts contain asbestos
Though these groups are at an elevated risk of asbestos exposure, anyone who spends time in a structure where insulation or other asbestos-containing materials are not properly installed could be at risk of developing asbestosis disease or another health condition.
For a free legal consultation, call (800) 217-6099
A Lawyer Can Help if You Were Exposed to Asbestos
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with asbestosis or another asbestos-induced health condition, call a lawyer. They can help you identify the defendant in your case, which may be:
- A landlord
- An employer
- A building manager
- A municipality
- Anyone who knowingly or unknowingly exposed you to asbestos
Few people willingly or knowingly breathe asbestos, and somebody may be responsible for paying for your losses if you were exposed to unsafe levels of asbestos.
A Lawyer Will Handle Your Case from Start to Finish
A lawyer can help you identify a defendant in your case by walking you through the times and places in your life where you were likely to come into contact with asbestos. The defendant could be an employer, landlord, or someone else, and regardless of who is responsible for your asbestosis, a lawyer will assist you by:
- Documenting your account of events as a permanent record
- Initiating legal action immediately to ensure that your case falls in line with any relevant statutes of limitation
- Collecting any evidence that the defendant failed to test for asbestos, or knowingly exposed you to asbestos
- Interviewing the defendant if possible to obtain an admission that they knowingly or unknowingly exposed you to the risk of breathing asbestos
- Handling all legal responsibilities necessary to bring your case to a judgment or settlement
- Protecting your rights throughout the legal process
If your case is successful, the defendant may owe you compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses related to your asbestosis disease.
Call Our Team at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm Today
We will help you pursue the financial compensation that you are entitled to. Call us today at (800) 217-6099 for a free consultation. Our clients pay nothing upfront, nothing out of pocket, and nothing unless we secure a judgment or settlement.
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