The Cochran Firm Legal Blog

Asbestosis is a disorder occurring in the lungs caused by inhaling asbestos fibers. These fibers scar the tissues of the lungs. Asbestosis occurs after very heavy, long-term exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma is another very serious type of cancer associated with exposure to asbestos fibers. Mesothelioma may take years, even decades, to show signs and symptoms.

Asbestos fibers are very small, but very sharp. When they build up in the lungs, they trigger a response from your immune system. As your body tries to rid your lungs of these fibers, your lungs become inflamed, resulting in difficulty breathing.

The symptoms of asbestosis often take decades to appear after the exposure to asbestos. The symptoms of asbestosis include:

• Difficulty breathing, even while resting
• Cough
• Loss of voice
• Pain in the chest
• Insomnia
• Swelling
• Coughing up blood

Asbestosis is often misdiagnosed for several reasons. The symptoms associated with asbestosis are also associated with a number of less severe illnesses, such as asthma. Also, most patients are unaware that they have been exposed to asbestos.

The federal government now heavily regulates asbestos and asbestos products. Asbestos also occurs naturally in the environment, so some exposure is normal. Asbestosis only occurs after direct, heavy, long-term exposure.

If you or a loved one has asbestosis and mesothelioma due to being exposure, please contact the experienced asbestosis attorneys at The Cochran Firm, operating numerous offices nationwide, today.

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