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Diffuse pleural thickening lawyers

This condition develops when asbestos fibers on the outer lining of the lungs gradually cause tissue scarring, which eventually leads to the thickening of the pleura. While pleural plaques concern a small region of the lungs affected by tissue thickening, diffuse pleural thickening entails the scarring of a larger surface of the pleura. Diffuse pleural thickening may be a forerunner of lung cancer and mesothelioma. Asbestos screening is a must as the asbestos fibers are well distinguishable on a chest X-ray.

Call 205.328.9200 Asbestos Screening

Everybody in my working environment was getting notices to be checked out, I went to and it turned out that I have asbestosis. - Thomas P.

I worked near a place where a lot of back-products coming out of furnaces were dumped. I now suffer from asbestosis. - Stephen D.

My husband struggled for years and then died of asbestosis. I think if we had known earlier, he would have had more time. - Susan B.

I was a storekeeper and I dealt with asbestos products. The compensation obtained by ELG was really helpful. - Rayfield C.

My uncle used to take asbestos out of the tray with his own hands and put it on the pipes. He sadly died of mesothelioma. - Timothy M.

With a diffuse pleural thickening diagnosis you will need to travel to our medical facility in Birmingham, AL if you wish to receive compensation. Additional no-charge testing will be required, generally a chest x-ray and a physical exam.

Call 205.328.9200 Asbestos Screening

Up to 13% of individuals exposed to asbestos in the workplace will develop pleural thickening

Unlike pleural plaques, diffuse pleural thickening is often accompanied by distressing symptoms, the most common being shortness of breath, which is experienced by over 95% of the patients. In the majority of cases, diffuse pleural thickening is the result of past asbestos exposure and the condition appears within 3 to 34 years after the first contact with airborne fibers. Although this lung condition is not malignant, it often develops into mesothelioma, particularly if the individual has a long history of asbestos exposure.

Diffuse Pleural Thickening

Initially, diffuse pleural thickening does not cause any distress to the patient, but as the illness progresses, they will start experiencing one or more of the following symptoms:

chest tightness
shortness of breath
chest pain which intensifies with physical exertion
difficulty breathing
a persistent cough
reduced movement of the chest wall

If you have a history of asbestos exposure and you were a smoker, you can file a claim to recover compensation.

Smoker Exposed to Asbestos

Consultation & advice

If you were diagnosed with diffuse pleural thickening, monitoring your health regularly is essential and will help your doctor timely detect a potential onset of mesothelioma. It is recommended to undergo a series of tests (chest X-rays, pulmonary function tests and CT scans) two times a year. We also encourage you to seek a second opinion from a specialist in asbestos diseases, regardless of your diagnosis, as the rate of misdiagnosis is alarmingly high among asbestos victims.

Claim Evaluation Asbestos Screening

Common questions

How veterans can increase their VA disability ratings? »

A veteran who is receiving monthly benefits from the VA can ask for a reevaluation of their disability rating at any point. Although it is supposed to be simple to request a change, it can often be a lengthy, complex and confusing process, especially for a veteran unable to deal with the VA bureaucracy or unfamiliar with the VA system.

How much compensation should I expect to receive? »

The compensation you will receive highly depends on factors such as the severity of your diagnosis, the size of the asbestos trust fund you file with, as well as the percentage they pay out.

Can you tell me how long it will take before I get my compensation? »

Every asbestos case is unique and there are numerous factors that might influence the waiting time. Depending on the situation, asbestos claims will result in financial compensation within one month to one year.

Will my family benefit from financial compensation after my death? »

Yes. The money you were receiving from asbestos trust funds during your lifetime will go to your family after your death. If, however, you had not filed a claim, your family can still recover compensation.

How do asbestos trust funds work? »

In order to receive compensation, you need to file a claim with the asbestos trust fund set up by the company responsible for your injury. A lawyer will speed up the process significantly.

What does the statute of limitations mean for my asbestos case? »

The statute of limitations refers to the amount of time you have to file an asbestos claim after diagnosis. It varies between one and six years, depending on the state you live in.

How common are asbestos-related diseases? »

Diseases caused by asbestos exposure affect 20% of former industrial workers and 30% of veterans. Every year, between 12,000 and 15,000 people lose their lives to diseases that stem from asbestos exposure.

How long does it take for asbestos exposure to become significant? »

Asbestos is a carcinogen responsible for the occurrence of terrible diseases. However, most people who became ill had been exposed to high levels of asbestos over the course of several years.

How can someone get an asbestos-related disease without being directly exposed to asbestos? »

Since they were not required to wear any protective equipment on the job, many engineering, manufacturing, maintenance workers, and military veterans were exposed to asbestos unknowingly or inadvertently while performing their everyday duties on the job.

I am a veteran who was exposed to asbestos in the military, but I have no symptoms. Can I still file a VA claim? »

Disability compensation is a financial benefit the VA pays out only to veterans with diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis, lung cancer, or asbestosis. Therefore, a veteran is not eligible for it in the absence of a proper asbestos-related diagnosis.

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This page was last updated on July 17th, 2020 PST by Gregory A. Cade at Environmental Litigation Group, P.C.