Nearly 50% of the People Exposed to Asbestos Will Develop Pleural Plaques

When the accumulation of asbestos fibers in the lungs causes severe irritation, pleural plaques may form. The average period of time during which this lung condition develops is 40 years. People who suffer from pleural plaques rarely experience distressing symptoms. Even though the risk of being diagnosed with mesothelioma or lung cancer is relatively low after the occurrence of pleural plaques, it is recommended to undergo regular screenings, as a malignant disease may develop with this condition in certain cases.

Due to the absence of clear symptoms, pleural plaques are generally discovered incidentally, during a chest X-ray or a CT scan. Fibrous thickening can occasionally extend to the diaphragm as well. The risk of developing pleural plaques increases with the duration of asbestos exposure. While pleural plaques are not usually accompanied by any signs, it is crucial to notify your physician immediately if you start experiencing one or more of the following symptoms, as they may indicate the onset of a more serious disease:

• chest pain
• coughing up blood
• shortness of breath
• a persistent cough

Pleural Plaques Misdiagnosis and Asbestos Exposure Work History

Since pleural plaques are almost without exception the result of occupational asbestos exposure, people with this diagnosis are eligible for compensation from the asbestos trust fund of their former employer. By filing a claim for Pleural Disease I or Pleural Disease II – depending on the severity of your illness – with the aid of a lawyer who specializes in asbestos cases, you are bound to receive the money you deserve for your injury. Nevertheless, in order to qualify for compensation, you must have bilateral pleural plaques.

It is important to keep in mind that the diseases asbestos exposure is responsible for often have similar symptoms, as well as a close appearance on chest X-rays and CT scans, which is why we strongly encourage you to seek a second and even a third opinion from other medical specialists. This is a sure way of avoiding misdiagnosis, which is extremely common among victims of asbestos exposure. Furthermore, we also advise you to keep a close eye on your health after receiving financial compensation, as you are unfortunately susceptible to developing a second asbestos-related lung disease.

Veterans diagnosed with pleural plaques are also entitled to a series of benefits from the VA, such as disability compensation, which a skilful attorney with vast experience in asbestos litigation will be able to obtain. Regardless of the military branch you served in, you should consider applying for VA benefits if you suffer from this condition, as the money will help you afford quality healthcare and the periodical screenings you might want to undergo to avoid the late discovery of a second pulmonary disease.

Victims of Secondary Asbestos Exposure who Developed Pleural Plaques Are Also Eligible for Financial Compensation

While most people who are now ill as a result of asbestos exposure were in contact with this carcinogen in the workplace, 10% of victims have never handled asbestos themselves. The reason why some individuals came to struggle with terrible diseases in spite of not working with asbestos refers to secondary exposure. When one inhales asbestos fibers without being nearby the source of pollution, secondary exposure takes place. Because asbestos workers were rarely asked to wear protective equipment on the job or change their clothes at the end of the day, they would often end up carrying toxic fibers home, where their loved ones would later unknowingly breathe them in. As a consequence, many of their family members were subsequently diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases, including pleural plaques.

If you used to share the same living space with someone who handled asbestos in the workplace, you were inevitably exposed to the mineral, which makes you prone to developing a serious disease in the future. In the regrettable event you already have a bilateral pleural plaque diagnosis, we advise you to contact our attorneys who, along with their resourceful legal team, will strive to recover maximum compensation for your injury. It is also the asbestos trust fund set up by the former employer of the asbestos worker in your family which will provide you with the money you are eligible for. For additional information, please feel free to give us a call and we will gladly assist you.