Compensation For Asbestosis Victims In Ohio
Asbestosis is a degenerative, but nonmalignant, chronic lung disease caused by asbestos. It can lead to lung cancer and lung or heart failure. Unfortunately, there is no cure.
Asbestosis is caused by the formation of scar tissue in the lungs. The scar tissue develops after a person has been exposed to asbestos for many years, sometimes 20 years or more, and has inhaled its fibers.
The severity of the disease generally depends on how long someone was exposed to asbestos and the amount of asbestos that person inhaled.
Most people who have been diagnosed with asbestosis acquired it in the workplace before the 1970s when the government began restricting the use of asbestos. Prior to that time, asbestos was widely used as an insulator and fire retardant, particularly in asbestos mining and milling industries, construction and fireproofing. You could also find asbestos in paper products, plastics, cement, floor and ceiling tiles, crayons and toasters.
How Does Asbestos Cause Asbestosis?
Asbestos consists of tiny fibers. If disturbed, they are released into the air and float like dust particles. When you breathe in these fibers, some settle deep in your lungs, where they may remain for your lifetime.
The more particles you breathe in, the greater the chances your lungs will react by forming scar tissues. Over time and through continued exposure, scar tissues tend to build up.
This scar tissue interferes with breathing. The lung tissues and the lining of the chest wall also thicken and harden. Both disrupt your body’s ability to take in oxygen, causing shortness of breath and difficulty breathing.
Other Common Symptoms Of Asbestosis
There are other symptoms that indicate you may be ill with asbestosis. These include:
- Chronic cough that produces mucus
- Dry, hacking cough
- Damaged respiratory function
- Tightness in the chest
- Chest pain
- Loss of appetite and weight loss
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with asbestosis, we offer a free initial consultation to answer your questions and explain your rights. Call toll-free at 877-303-6379.
Click here to learn more about our three-pronged approach to financial compensation.
