Asbestosis FAQ

Consult with an Experienced New York Asbestos Attorney

You need good information about how to navigate the future after you or someone you love receives a diagnosis of mesothelioma, asbestosis, or another serious illness caused by asbestos exposure. Here are some questions that new clients frequently have about asbestosis, a form of chronic lung disease caused by asbestos exposure.

The New York mesothelioma and asbestos trial attorneys at The Williams Law Firm, P.C., can answer any of your questions directly. Call our Manhattan office at (855) 575-6376 to schedule your free case consultation.

QUESTION: WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ASBESTOSIS AND MESOTHELIOMA?

Answer: While mesothelioma is an aggressive, incurable cancer that attacks the pleura, or the lining that shields our body’s vital organs, asbestosis is a non-cancerous but equally debilitating disease that attacks the lungs.

Both illnesses are caused by inhaling asbestos fibers, most often in an occupational setting. Asbestosis, however, tends to present sooner than mesothelioma, which can incubate for around a half-century.

There were just over 3,200 asbestosis deaths in the U.S. between 1999 and 2004, according to American Lung Association research.

QUESTION: WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON SYMPTOMS OF ASBESTOSIS?

Answer: Since this is a disease that develops after tiny asbestos fibers are inhaled and embedded in the lungs, asbestosis symptoms reflect what is essentially a chemical attack on the lungs. Lungs become weaker, and breathing becomes more laborious.

The most common symptoms of asbestosis, which are also symptoms experienced by many mesothelioma sufferers, are:

• CHEST PAIN
• COUGHING, POSSIBLY WITH BLOOD
• SWELLING IN THE NECK AND FACE
• DIFFICULTY SWALLOWING
• LOSS OF APPETITE
• UNEXPLAINED WEIGHT LOSS

QUESTION: HOW IS ASBESTOSIS DIAGNOSED?

Answer: Doctors investigating asbestosis in a patient will start with an X-Ray or CT Scan of the lungs. Lung scarring or visible damage that shows up in these images, along with the severity and persistence of a patient’s symptoms, are indications that the patient is suffering from asbestosis.

QUESTION: HOW IS ASBESTOSIS TREATED?

Answer: Like mesothelioma, asbestosis is incurable. Treatments largely focus on making the patient as comfortable and pain-free as possible. That often entails a combination of medications including antibiotics, analgesics and bronchial inhalers. In some cases, doctors opt for surgical treatments such as a thoracentesis, or a pleural tap, which removes excess fluid from the lungs and pleura in order to make the patient’s breathing less difficult.

QUESTION: WHY DO I NEED AN ASBESTOS ATTORNEY AFTER AN ASBESTOSIS DIAGNOSIS?

Answer: Your asbestosis was likely caused by undisclosed, on-the-job exposure to asbestos products and materials. Since asbestos abatement in the U.S. has revealed the many dangers of asbestos exposure, funds are now available to help the afflicted cover medical expenses. An asbestos attorney can help you investigate the exact nature and extent of your asbestos exposure and then hold the responsible parties accountable.

WHEN YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT MESOTHELIOMA OR ASBESTOSIS AND YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS, THE NEW YORK CITY ASBESTOS ATTORNEYS AT THE WILLIAMS LAW FIRM, P.C., CAN HELP. PLEASE CONTACT US ONLINE OR CALL OUR OFFICES DIRECTLY AT (855) 575-6376 TO SCHEDULE YOUR FREE CASE CONSULTATION.