Attorney Jessie Paluch, founder of TruLaw, has over 25 years of experience as a personal injury and mass tort attorney, and previously worked as an international tax attorney at Deloitte. Jessie collaborates with attorneys nationwide — enabling her to share reliable, up-to-date legal information with our readers.
This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy and clarity by the team of writers and legal experts at TruLaw and is as accurate as possible. This content should not be taken as legal advice from an attorney. If you would like to learn more about our owner and experienced injury lawyer, Jessie Paluch, you can do so here.
TruLaw does everything possible to make sure the information in this article is up to date and accurate. If you need specific legal advice about your case, contact us by using the chat on the bottom of this page. This article should not be taken as advice from an attorney.
Question: What is Asbestosis?
Answer: Asbestosis is a chronic lung disease caused by inhaling asbestos fibers.
Prolonged exposure to asbestos can result in lung scarring (fibrosis), which makes breathing difficult and reduces oxygen levels in the bloodstream.
Unlike asbestos-related cancers, asbestosis is non-cancerous, but it is a serious condition that can significantly impact quality of life and lead to complications such as heart failure.
On this page, we’ll provide an overview of asbestosis, types of asbestos fibers associated with Asbestosis and other health conditions, occupational asbestos exposure risks, and much more.
Asbestosis develops when inhaled asbestos fibers become lodged in the lungs, causing irritation and inflammation over time.
This persistent irritation leads to the formation of scar tissue, which thickens and stiffens the lung walls, making it harder for the lungs to expand and contract.
Key characteristics of asbestosis include:
Although asbestosis is not cancerous, its symptoms (such as shortness of breath, persistent coughing, and chest pain) can be debilitating.
Regular medical monitoring and lung function tests are essential for those with a history of asbestos exposure to detect and manage asbestosis early.
If you or a loved has been been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, you may be eligible to seek compensation.
Contact TruLaw using the chat on this page to receive an instant case evaluation and determine whether you qualify to join others in filing a Mesothelioma lawsuit today.
Asbestos fibers are naturally occurring minerals that, when disturbed, release microscopic particles into the air.
When workers are exposed to asbestos through inhalation, these fibers can become embedded in lung tissue, leading to serious health conditions including lung cancer and mesothelioma.
Serpentine asbestos, characterized by its curly, flexible fibers, consists primarily of chrysotile (white asbestos).
When materials containing chrysotile are damaged or deteriorated, they release asbestos dust that can remain airborne for extended periods.
Common applications of chrysotile asbestos include:
The widespread use of chrysotile asbestos in these applications has resulted in lung tissue scarring among many workers who handled these materials, particularly before safety regulations were implemented.
Amphibole asbestos types include amosite, crocidolite, tremolite, anthophyllite, and actinolite.
These varieties feature straight, needle-like fibers that can cause severe damage to the respiratory system, often requiring pulmonary rehabilitation for affected individuals.
The five types of amphibole asbestos include:
While all forms of amphibole asbestos can cause serious health conditions, crocidolite is considered the most dangerous, with studies showing higher rates of mesothelioma among workers who handled this particular variety.
Workers in specific industries face heightened risk factors for developing asbestosis due to regular contact with asbestos-containing materials.
Medical professionals diagnose asbestosis in thousands of workers annually, with many cases traced back to workplace exposure during the peak usage of asbestos in industrial applications from the 1940s through the 1970s.
Occupational exposure remains the primary source of asbestos-related diseases, with certain industries historically showing higher incidents of pulmonary fibrosis among their workforce.
Industries with documented high exposure rates include:
Workers in these fields often develop scarred lung tissue decades after their initial exposure, with some cases requiring a lung biopsy to confirm the presence of asbestos fibers.
The widespread use of asbestos in building materials and industrial products has left a lasting impact on worker health, with severe asbestosis cases still emerging from past exposure.
Common historical applications included:
In advanced cases where breathing becomes severely impaired, a lung transplant may be necessary.
While modern regulations have reduced exposure risks, the legacy of historical asbestos use continues to affect workers decades after their initial exposure.
Mesothelioma lawsuits are being filed by individuals across the country who need help with their mesothelioma treatment costs after they were exposed to asbestos and later diagnosed with this aggressive cancer.
TruLaw is currently accepting clients who have mesothelioma lawsuit claims they are eligible to file.
A few reasons to choose TruLaw for your mesothelioma lawsuit include:
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos, you may be eligible to seek compensation.
Contact TruLaw using the chat on this page to receive an instant case evaluation that can determine if you qualify for a mesothelioma lawsuit today.
Asbestosis is a chronic lung disease caused by inhaling asbestos fibers.
Prolonged exposure to asbestos can result in lung scarring (fibrosis), which makes breathing difficult and reduces oxygen levels in the bloodstream.
Unlike asbestos-related cancers, asbestosis is non-cancerous, but it is a serious condition that can significantly impact quality of life and lead to complications such as heart failure.
The two (2) main categories of asbestos fibers are:
Chrysotile is the primary type of serpentine asbestos, while amphibole includes five (5) different varieties including crocidolite and amosite.
Crocidolite (blue asbestos), an amphibole variety, is considered the most hazardous form of asbestos.
Studies have shown higher rates of mesothelioma among workers exposed to crocidolite compared to other asbestos types.
Construction workers, shipyard workers, manufacturing personnel, and mining operations workers face the highest risk of occupational asbestos exposure.
These industries historically showed higher incidents of pulmonary fibrosis among their workforce due to regular contact with asbestos-containing materials.
Asbestos-related diseases typically develop decades after the initial exposure to asbestos fibers.
Workers may not show symptoms of conditions like asbestosis or mesothelioma until many years after working with asbestos-containing materials.
Chrysotile asbestos was extensively used in construction materials, including roofing, walls, ceilings, and floor tiles, as well as in automotive parts.
It was also commonly found in insulation products for pipes, ducts, and various appliances.
Exposure to asbestos fibers can lead to serious health conditions including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis.
When inhaled, these microscopic fibers become embedded in lung tissue, causing scarring and potentially requiring treatments ranging from pulmonary rehabilitation to lung transplants.
Experienced Attorney & Legal SaaS CEO
With over 25 years of legal experience, Jessie is an Illinois lawyer, a CPA, and a mother of three. She spent the first decade of her career working as an international tax attorney at Deloitte.
In 2009, Jessie co-founded her own law firm with her husband – which has scaled to over 30 employees since its conception.
In 2016, Jessie founded TruLaw, which allows her to collaborate with attorneys and legal experts across the United States on a daily basis. This hypervaluable network of experts is what enables her to share reliable legal information with her readers!
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AFFF Lawsuit claims are being filed against manufacturers of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), commonly used in firefighting.
Claims allege that companies such as 3M, DuPont, and Tyco Fire Products failed to adequately warn users about the potential dangers of AFFF exposure — including increased risks of various cancers and diseases.
Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuit claims are being filed against Indivior, the manufacturer of Suboxone, a medication used to treat opioid addiction.
Claims allege that Indivior failed to adequately warn users about the potential dangers of severe tooth decay and dental injuries associated with Suboxone’s sublingual film version.
Social Media Harm Lawsuits are being filed against social media companies for allegedly causing mental health issues in children and teens.
Claims allege that companies like Meta, Google, ByteDance, and Snap designed addictive platforms that led to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues without adequately warning users or parents.
Transvaginal Mesh Lawsuits are being filed against manufacturers of transvaginal mesh products used to treat pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI).
Claims allege that companies like Ethicon, C.R. Bard, and Boston Scientific failed to adequately warn about potential dangers — including erosion, pain, and infection.
Bair Hugger Warming Blanket Lawsuits involve claims against 3M — alleging their surgical warming blankets caused severe infections and complications (particularly in hip and knee replacement surgeries).
Plaintiffs claim 3M failed to warn about potential risks — despite knowing about increased risk of deep joint infections since 2011.
Baby Formula NEC Lawsuit claims are being filed against manufacturers of cow’s milk-based baby formula products.
Claims allege that companies like Abbott Laboratories (Similac) and Mead Johnson & Company (Enfamil) failed to warn about the increased risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in premature infants.
Here, at TruLaw, we’re committed to helping victims get the justice they deserve.
Alongside our partner law firms, we have successfully collected over $3 Billion in verdicts and settlements on behalf of injured individuals.
Would you like our help?