Life After an Asbestosis Diagnosis
Continued exposure to asbestos dust and fibers over an extended period may cause lung tissue scarring, asbestosis, or other lung diseases. Inhaling the asbestos fibers may lead to inflammation and scarring of the membrane and tissue surrounding the lungs, thus resulting in asbestosis. Unfortunately, asbestosis cannot be cured. Regardless, you might still be able to manage your condition and recover damages00.
Attorney David C. Thompson is committed to offering outstanding legal services and protecting the rights of North Dakota citizens who have been diagnosed with asbestosis. As a seasoned personal injury attorney, David can enlighten you about how asbestosis might affect your health and life and help you pursue your fair financial compensation. His firm proudly serves clients across Grand Forks, Fargo, Bismarck, and Minot, North Dakota.
What Is Asbestosis?
Asbestosis can be described as a lung disease that occurs when a person inhales asbestos dust and fibers over a prolonged period. On getting into the lungs, the asbestos fibers and dust will cause the tissues and membrane surrounding the lungs to thicken and scar (fibrosis). As a result, the person will find it extremely difficult to breathe. In severe cases, asbestosis may result in serious complications, such as heart failure, lung cancer, or sometimes death.
How Will Asbestosis Affect Me?
Here are some effects of long-term exposure to asbestos or asbestosis diagnosis on your life:
Reduced respiratory function
Shortness of breath
Reduced functioning of the immune system
Chest tightness or pain
Development of retroperitoneal fibrosis, which may lead to kidney failure
Dry and crackling sounds in your lungs whenever you breathe
A persistent, dry cough
Increased risk of developing lung cancer or heart failure
If you or someone close to you has been exposed to asbestos or diagnosed with asbestosis, you need to reach out to a highly-skilled asbestos exposure lawyer immediately. Your attorney can evaluate every aspect of your unique situation, identify the liable party, and help you pursue fair financial compensation.
What Compensation Is Available?
Additionally, a person diagnosed with asbestosis may be eligible to pursue the following compensation by filing a personal injury claim:
Medical bills, including the cost of future medical treatment
Lost wages and benefits
Pain and suffering
Disability
Loss of enjoyment of life
Reduced quality of life
Expenses related to your treatment
Wrongful death damages, where applicable.
Remember that you don’t have to navigate the legalities alone. An experienced attorney can help file your claims and help you seek your rightful financial compensation so you can focus on your health and treatment.
How Can I Reduce My Symptoms?
However, asbestosis symptoms often take about ten to 40 years following the initial exposure to manifest. For this reason, early exams, lung function tests, CT scans, and chest X-rays are crucial to detect the symptoms or diagnose the condition as soon as possible.
While there is currently no ultimate cure for asbestosis, you may still be able to manage your condition through certain medical procedures and lifestyle changes.
Medical Procedures – Breathing Treatments and Medications
Here are some breathing treatments and medications which can be used to manage the symptoms and improve the victim’s condition:
Pulmonary Rehabilitation – Behavioral changes and exercises to improve your day-to-day functioning.
Oxygen Therapy – Improve breathing by receiving extra oxygen through a tube or mask.
Lung Transplant Surgery – The patient receives a new, healthy lung through surgery or a lung transplant.
Lifestyle Changes
In addition to the breathing treatments, the lifestyle changes below can also help improve your condition:
Quit smoking
Attend smoking cessation programs
Avoid inhaling contaminated air
Eat healthy diet
Drink plenty of water
Regular exercises
Practice good hand-washing hygiene
Avoid getting close to sick people
Avoid breathing secondhand smoke or polluted air
Wear a respirator or protective mask while at work
Avoid long-term exposure to asbestos
Essentially, ensure that you follow through with your treatment plan and live a healthy lifestyle. With this, you can properly manage the symptoms and prolong your lifespan after being diagnosed with asbestosis. And remember: any treatment you seek or changes you make may be eligible for compensation in your asbestosis claim. To fully understand your symptoms and legal options, you should consult a trusted doctor as well as an experienced asbestosis attorney.
Seek Trusted Legal Counsel
Knowing that you or a loved one has been diagnosed with asbestosis can be heartbreaking and might change your life going forward. Nonetheless, you don’t have to face the challenges all on your own. With more than 40 years of extensive experience, Attorney David C. Thompson has what it takes to support and represent individuals exposed to asbestos or diagnosed with asbestosis.
Using his in-depth legal understanding, David can walk you through the complex procedures involved in filing claims and seeking damages. Attorney David C. Thompson will fight for your legal rights, make sure you’re provided with the best available treatments for your condition, and help you pursue the financial justice you deserve.
Contact David C. Thompson, P.C. today to schedule a simple case assessment with an experienced asbestos exposure lawyer. The firm proudly serves clients across Grand Forks, Fargo, Bismarck, and Minot, North Dakota.