Asbestosis Facts

Asbestosis Facts: Realities

This article discusses basic asbestosis facts on preventative measures, compensation and symptoms. The long term lung disease asbestosis is caused by prolonged asbestos exposure. Asbestos materials affect individuals once disturbed. Disturbance is the form of cutting, sawing, breaking and wearing away of asbestos materials. Disturbance to the asbestos materials causes tiny asbestos fibers to become airborne. The tiny fibers look like dust to the naked eye and seem harmless. Once airborne these tiny fibers can be inhaled and enter into the lungs and cause major damage to the lungs over time.

Asbestosis Facts – Latency Period

It takes decades between the period of initial asbestos exposure (latency period) and the manifesting of symptoms. Symptoms associated with asbestosis are:

• Shortness of breath
• Persistent cough
• Crackling sound while inhaling
• Chest pain and tightness
• Loss of appetite
• Clubbing or deformity of fingers

Asbestosis Facts: Preventive measures

The best way to prevent being exposed to asbestos is to follow the following precautions:

• Avoid any dust filled areas;
• If you find asbestos materials call experts to attend to asbestos abatement and do not move any of the asbestos yourself;
• For people working with asbestos abatement or removal ensure protective clothing is worn at all times, such as breathing masks, work suits, safety boots and gloves. These serve as a protection to laborers from getting in direct contact with asbestos;
• If living in an house built before 1980 and some areas are cordoned off do not reopen these areas;
• If you have previously worked in an asbestos related manufacturing company or in the U.S. Navy regular medical examinations should be conducted for early detection of asbestos related diseases.

Asbestosis Facts: Compensation

If a person is diagnosed with asbestosis, he or she can claim compensation if there is proof that the asbestos exposure was caused by a specific company, industry or living environment.

Here are a few facts related to the claim of compensation:

Industrial injuries disablement

An industry is subjected to provide weekly benefit to employees suffering from asbestosis.

Civil claim compensation

Obtaining legal advice from the best law firm assists with the process of litigation in order to benefit from civil claims by an individual exposed to asbestos or suffering from asbestosis.

A claim for lump sum compensation

Financial claims can be made for employees who suffer or died from work related asbestos exposure. Health benefits and loss of support claims can be made through law firms.

Vinson law is a law firm which specializes in litigating claims for individuals who have asbestosis, mesothelioma or have lost loved ones from asbestos exposure related diseases. Vinson law also specializes in Veterans claims.

Asbestosis Facts

• The first asbestosis diagnosis was made by an English doctor of a patient named Nellie Kershaw, a textile worker. Her death led to the first asbestos related occupational regulation in 1932.
• Asbestosis is not a cancer, but can increase the risk of lung cancer or mesothelioma.
• According to the American Public Health Association, asbestosis is said to be the cause of about 9,000 deaths in the U.S. from 1968 to 2005.
• According to the World Health Organization, an estimate of about 125 million people in the world today are exposed to asbestos in the workplace.