Asbestos-related diseases loom

The health hazards of asbestos has been well known since the 1930s when doctors began to see an increase in lung diseases that were directly linked to asbestos exposure. These diseases fall under one of three types: asbestosis, pleural disease (disease of the lung lining), and lung cancer.

Asbestosis – This breathing disorder is serious and chronic, and often continues to progress even if the person no longer has exposure to asbestos. In fact, it often develops years after exposure, usually 20 to 40 years from first contact. It is caused by asbestos fibers, microscopic particles that become lodged in the lung tissue. Although smaller than dust, over time it can penetrate many cells causing constant irritation that eventually leads to scarring of the lung tissue, reducing lung capacity. Asbestosis can be fatal if enough scarring occurs, in effect suffocating the patient.

Pleural Disease – The pleura is a thin membrane lining, about one cell in thickness, that covers the lung and other moveable organs. It helps “lubricate” these organs, and in the case of the lungs, allows them to expand and contract more easily during breathing. Exposure to asbestos can damage this pleura lining, leading to what is sometimes called a pleural plaque, a basket weave of scarred tissue. Although this is the most common result of asbestos exposure, it is not in itself dangerous or even a major discomfort. However the damage done to pleura may cause or be an indicator of a more serious future asbestos-related disease.

Lung Cancer – Unlike asbestosis and pleural disease, lung cancers including mesothelioma can occur after limited exposure. That is because the above two diseases are “cumulative,” and directly corresponds with the number of asbestos fibers that permanently penetrates the tissue. However in theory just one asbestos fiber is required to disturb a lung cell enough to cause it to mutate into an uncontrollable cancerous cell. In practical terms though, it is like smoking: the more exposure to asbestos, the higher the risk of lung cancers.

Not everyone who has prolonged exposure contracts these diseases. People who have higher “lung cleaning” capacity are able to dispose of the asbestos fibers before they penetrate the cells. On the other hand, smokers drastically increase their risk of these diseases. One studied showed that a person who smoked and who was in regular contact with asbestos was 59 times more likely to develop lung cancer than someone who did neither.

If you suffer from any of these diseases because of constant exposure in the workplace or elsewhere, contact an asbestos lawyer at Jim S. Adler & Associates. We will help establish what your rights are through a free case review, and then make sure that your rights are protected. You may be owed a large compensation settlement for your exposure, but nobody is going to just hand it over to you. With Jim S. Adler & Associates on your side, you are more likely to get a higher compensation package – and get it faster.

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Jim S. Adler & Associates also has offices at City Place Building, 2711 North Haskell Ave., Suite 2100 LB40, Dallas, Texas 75204-2887; Bank of America, 12605 East Freeway, Suite 400, Houston, Texas 77015-5619 (serving Channelview, Texas); and San Pedro Plaza, 7330 San Pedro Ave., Suite 700, San Antonio, Texas 78216-6237.