Asbestos exposure can cause a number of different diseases and illnesses that can significantly impact your quality of life. Pleural thickening is the name given to the condition that involves damage and thickening of the lining of the lungs, caused due to breathing in asbestos fibres.

If you, or a loved one, has been diagnosed with an asbestos illness in the last three years you could be entitled to compensation.

What is pleural thickening?

Pleural thickening can happen as a result of breathing in asbestos fibres which become lodged in the pleura – the layered protective membrane which surrounds the lungs and inside of the rib cage, causing thickening and scarring.

Once the scarring becomes widespread, this can lead to the thickening of the pleura which makes it difficult for the lungs to expand, leading to breathlessness.

Pleural thickening can be present in only one lung (unilateral) or in both lungs (bilateral).

What are the symptoms of pleural thickening?

As with a lot of asbestos-related illnesses, pleural thickening has a latency period of around 10-15 years, meaning that symptoms may not become apparent until decades after the initial exposure.

The condition can cause mild discomfort for some to severe pain for others. Symptoms typically include pain, breathlessness and tightness in the chest, which can become worse during physical exercise.

A chest x-ray or CT scan will identify if pleural thickening is present.

Is there a time limit for making a claim?

You must make a claim within three years of being diagnosed with asbestos-related lung cancer. If a loved one has passed away, you have up to three years from the diagnosis which found asbestos to be the cause to make a claim.

As the condition can take decades to develop, we can still help you with your claim even if:

Your former employer has ceased trading.
• You are not sure of the exact date on which you were exposed.
• You did not work for the company that you believe to be responsible.

How much will my claim be worth?

The amount of compensation that you may receive is dependent upon the individual circumstances of your case. The amount will depend on factors such as:

• The severity of your further health complications.
  • How your life has been affected by your illness.
  • Your future care and support needs.
  • Financial losses, including how much money you have lost or will lose as a result of the industrial disease (e.g. loss of earnings, travel expenses).

How much will it cost to make a claim?

Corries Solicitors handle all Asbestos disease claims on a No Win, No Fee basis, meaning that if you don't win you will not pay a penny. Contact our friendly team here at Corries on 0800 083 7839  or contact us online.