Pleural Diseases

Asbestos Exposure and Pleural Diseases

Inhalation of asbestos fibers has been linked to many different kinds of respiratory problems.

It can often take decades for these problems to show up, with symptoms developing 20-50 years after the initial exposure to asbestos.

As asbestos fibers continue to irritate the pleura, changes occur that make it harder for it to do its job. Over time, pleural diseases can develop as a result.

Asbestos fibers lodge in the lower portions of the lungs, where they gradually irritate the lining of the lungs (pleura). This irritation can get so severe that it eventually leads to scarring.

Call Sokolove Law now at (800) 647-3434 if you or a loved one have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related pleural disease. Compensation may be available.

Asbestos-Related Pleural Diseases

Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos may be at risk for serious lung and pleural diseases.

The risk is higher for people who worked in certain trades — shipyard and railroad workers, construction workers, veterans of all military branches but particularly those who served on U.S. Navy ships, and many others.

Asbestos-related pleural diseases and issues include:

• Mesothelioma: This malignant cancer develops in the protective lining of the lungs and chest wall before spreading throughout the body
• Pleural effusion: This is an abnormal buildup of fluid in the area between the pleura and lung, also referred to as “water on the lungs”
• Pleural plaques: A pleural plaque is a small, hard structure that forms in the pleura and can be a sign of asbestos exposure
• Pleural thickening: Pleural thickening results from severe scarring of the pleura, with more severe symptoms and widespread scarring than pleural plaques

Sadly, many of the companies that manufactured asbestos-containing products knew about the dangers of exposure — but hid them from the public, military, and government, putting thousands at risk.

For over 45 years, Sokolove Law has fought on behalf of our clients to hold these companies accountable for their greed and negligence.

Pleural Effusions

A pleural effusion, one of the more common consequences of prolonged asbestos exposure, occurs when too much fluid accumulates between the pleura and lungs.

In some instances, people with pleural effusions don’t have any symptoms. They only learn about their condition when they have a chest X-ray for another issue.

However, many people do experience symptoms, some of which include: 

• A dry cough
• Chest pain
• Trouble breathing

If someone develops severe symptoms from pleural effusion, a thoracic surgeon may need to perform a procedure in which a small tube, known as a shunt, is inserted to drain excess fluid into the abdomen.

When a pleural effusion becomes severe, part of the lining may need to be removed. This procedure is known as pleurectomy and decortication (P/D).

Pleural Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma is often caused by inhaling tiny needle-like asbestos fibers that the body can’t get rid of by coughing. The fibers build up in your lungs and affect the lining of the lungs and chest wall.

Over time, the inhaled asbestos particles cause inflammation of the mesothelium (also called the pleura), causing the healthy cells to mutate into cancer cells over the next 20-50 years.

Pleural mesothelioma symptoms include:

• Coughing up blood (hemoptysis)
• Difficulty breathing
• Fever and sweating
• Frequent dry or painful coughing
• Lumps of tissue under the skin around the chest
• Pleural effusions (fluid buildup in the lungs)
• Shortness of breath
• Tightness across the chest
• Unexplained weight loss
• Weakness and fatigue

Unfortunately, mesothelioma can be difficult to correctly diagnose, according to the American Cancer Society.

Many of the initial symptoms of pleural mesothelioma can be confused with other respiratory conditions, causing this disease to be misdiagnosed and further delaying treatment.

Mesothelioma patients may want to seek a second opinion from another medical specialist if you have any of the symptoms above. It can help to mention if you may have been exposed to asbestos to your doctor.

Sadly, as with many types of cancer, pleural mesothelioma can be costly to treat, adding up to hundreds of thousands of dollars each year.

Asbestos Pleural Plaques

Pleural plaques refer to tiny structures with hard surfaces that form in the pleura. They are the most common pleural disease caused by asbestos exposure.

The plaques will usually grow larger, and become harder depending on the person’s age and amount of asbestos exposure.

Pleural plaques will typically not lead to any symptoms, and many people can live with them for years without knowing they exist. This type of plaque can’t be removed.

Pleural Thickening

Also caused by exposure to asbestos, pleural thickening refers to severe scarring of the pleura. Though similar to pleural plaques, the scarring is much more extensive in cases of pleural thickening.

Pleural thickening doesn’t just occur in isolated areas. Instead, it extends along the entire chest wall.

Symptoms of pleural thickening symptoms typically don’t present themselves at first, but they can worsen as years go by and eventually lead to severe lung problems.

Pleural thickening symptoms include:

• Coughing
• Difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Pain while inhaling or exhaling

Treatment for pleural thickening typically starts with respiratory rehabilitation — a health plan to improve the patient’s ability to breathe and overall quality of life. This can include breathing exercises, diet changes, and more.

In some severe cases, patients may need to undergo surgery to remove part of the pleura (known as a pleurectomy).

Asbestos-Related Pleural Disease Compensation Options

If you’ve been diagnosed with an asbestos-related pleural disease, it’s important to know that you do have legal rights and options.

Legal options for compensation may include:

• Filing an asbestos lawsuit against the companies that made or sold the asbestos-containing products you or your loved one were exposed to
• Seeking compensation from the $30 Billion available in asbestos trust funds that’s been set aside by bankrupt companies for future victims
• Submitting a VA claim for benefits and health care (available to veterans with asbestos-related diseases and their families)

When you work with Sokolove Law, we can pursue compensation from all of the avenues you qualify for — at no out-of-pocket cost. We only get paid if you do, so there’s no financial risk to working with us.

Our Asbestos-Related Pleural Disease Lawyers Can Help

Asbestos exposure can lead to a variety of serious pleural diseases. Invasive treatments are often needed, but this kind of treatment is incredibly expensive. Affording treatment is not something you or your family should have to worry about during such a difficult time.

Thankfully, financial compensation may be available that can help you get the treatment you need.

For over 45 years, Sokolove Law has helped victims of asbestos-related diseases get the results they deserve, recovering more than $5.1 Billion for clients nationwide.

Get a free case evaluation or call (800) 647-3434 now to see if our asbestos attorneys may be able to help you too.

Asbestos-Related Pleural Disease FAQs