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| Pleural Thickening |
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| What is it? |
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Pleural Thickening can be caused by exposure to asbestos.
Occasionally the asbestos fibres irritate the pleura and may cause fibrosis or scarring to develop there.
(The pleura is a two-layered membrane which surrounds the lungs and lines the inside of the rib cage)
It can become widespread and can cause the pleura to thicken. This thickening is called diffuse pleural thickening. |
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| Pleural thickening occurs in two forms: |
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 Diffuse pleural thickening extends over a large area and may restrict expansion of the lungs, leading to breathlessness
Pleural plaques are localised areas of pleural thickening, that don’t usually interfere with breathing |
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| Pleural thickening usually affects both lungs and this is known as bilateral pleural thickening, although they are not always affected to the same extent. |
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| Symptoms / Exposure |
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When the pleura is thickened and scarred it becomes less elastic and constricted, which can cause shortness of breath.
Other symptoms include chest pain and tightness, especially after physical exertion.
Pleural thickening can also cause huge psychological stress; sufferers may live in fear that they could develop a more serious asbestos-related disease.
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Asbestos has been extensively used for many different purposes both across industry and domestically.
As we are now fully aware this posed a substantial risk to those exposed to the material.
The dangers of asbestos exposure have been known about for decades, however, it has taken
too long for action to be taken and industry has been slow to react. As a result many people are now suffering with
asbestos related industrial diseases such as pleural thickening.
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People working in industries such as plumbing, demolition work and at power stations,
are likely to have been exposed to breathing in fibres of asbestos often over a period of years.
Pleural thickening can take 20 years or more to develop, so ill effects are not instantly traceable to asbestos. |
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| Making a claim |
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| If you have been diagnosed with pleural thickening
in the last 3 years you will be able to make a claim. |
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The success of the claim will depend on whether the company where the exposure occurred is
still in existence. If you are not sure, don't worry; it could be that the company was taken over,
or that the insurers of the company still exist. In either case we will find out on your behalf
as part of the service. |
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Our associated asbestos disease solicitors are experts in their field. They have an excellent success rate and are dedicated to maximising the value of your claim. |
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| For advice on whether you can claim for pleural thickening, simply call us on freephone 0800 783 9535. |
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