North Carolina Workers’ Guide to Asbestosis: What to Do If You’ve Been Exposed 2024

Asbestosis is a painful, chronic lung disease that is caused by inhaling asbestos fibers that settle in the lungs. Prolonged exposure to asbestos fibers can worsen the condition, and symptoms may not even start to show until years after your exposure. If you are exposed at work, you can seek legal action against your employer, especially if they deny your claim. Having a North Carolina workers’ guide to asbestosis and knowing what to do if you’ve been exposed is important.

What Is Asbestosis, and Where Does It Come From?

Asbestosis is a very aggressive lung illness that’s caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibers over decades. Asbestos was a prominent component in construction materials for decades throughout the 20th century, and many states have sought to remove asbestos from old buildings like schools, offices, factories, malls, and homes through state and federal regulations. However, many of these buildings still have asbestos in them today, making them a genuine problem.

An asbestosis diagnosis can range in severity, depending on how many asbestos fibers you may have inhaled after exposure. Even if you don’t live or work in an area that causes you to be in close proximity to asbestos, you can still become susceptible to the illness if you live with someone who does. It can take up to 20 years for asbestosis to fully develop in your body. It can take even longer in certain cases. The exact timeframe largely depends on the person.

You may be totally unaware that you have even been exposed to asbestos fibers until the material has already damaged your internal organs beyond repair. If you are diagnosed with asbestosis, you may want to speak with an experienced lawyer. They can help you establish a timeline of your initial exposure and determine exactly who is to blame for your current condition. If it happened at work, you may be able to make a workers’ comp claim.

For asbestosis to be your prognosis and not mesothelioma, the asbestos fibers that you inhale must attach themselves to the small air sacs in your lungs, known as alveoli. While the fibers are in your alveoli, they will cause significant irritation in your lungs, and they will eventually become inflamed. If you develop asbestosis as a result of this irritation, it is a permanent condition, as the damage to your lungs cannot be reversed.

What to Do If You’ve Been Exposed to Asbestos

Being exposed to asbestos can be a nightmarish situation to find yourself in. If you are ever exposed, it is vitally important that you take the proper steps to protect yourself and your overall health as quickly as you can. Short-term exposure generally does not result in permanent damage unless you’ve been engulfed in a cloud of asbestos dust. Long-term exposure typically leads to disease and permanent illness. Here’s what you should do if you are exposed:

• Wash Yourself: As soon as possible, you should immediately start washing your body and washing your clothes. Get yourself as clean as you possibly can and scrub thoroughly. You may want to consider throwing your clothes away just to be safe.
• Inform Your Employer: If you have been exposed to asbestos, you should notify your employer. You might also make some suggestions about the working environment that would keep you from being exposed. Your employer may not be complying with OSHA regulations.
• See a Doctor: While evidence of asbestos inhalation in your lungs will not be evident this soon after exposure, it’s important to see your doctor and let them know anyway. They can monitor your condition going forward and warn you if something develops.

FAQs

Q: What If I Was Exposed to Asbestos at Work?

A: If you were exposed to asbestos at work, you should wash the stuff off your clothes and off yourself. Then, talk to your employer about your working conditions, and see a doctor who can monitor your condition. There is very little you can do about a short-term moment of asbestos exposure. It may not affect you at all. Still, it is better to be safe, especially around hazardous material.

Q: Am I at Risk of Asbestos Exposure?

A: Since asbestos has been used as a component in construction for so many decades, many people across the country may be at risk of asbestos exposure and not even be aware of it. The people who are at the most risk are those who are constantly in contact with it, such as people who work with asbestos or spend a considerable amount of time around it. Building renovations and mining are two activities that can frequently lead to asbestos exposure.

Q: Will Asbestos Exposure Always Cause Health Problems?

A: No, asbestos exposure will not always cause health problems. One minor incident of exposure will not immediately cause you to develop asbestosis or mesothelioma. However, there is a good chance that you may develop asbestos-related health problems over time if you:

• Are around asbestos frequently.
• Have breathed in asbestos fibers multiple times.
• Have a history of smoking.

If you are concerned, you may want to see a doctor.

Q: What Are Some of the Symptoms of Asbestosis?

A: The symptoms of asbestosis can vary from person to person. Some of them may resemble symptoms of a different, less serious medical condition. If you are exhibiting any of these symptoms, you may want to consult a doctor:

• Clubbing of fingertips, in which your fingertips will start to appear rounder and may spread out more
• A persistent cough
• Shortness of breath
• Tightness or pain in your chest
• A crackling sound coming from your lungs whenever you inhale

Reach Out to an Asbestosis Lawyer Today

Constant exposure to asbestos can result in severe health problems that can last your entire life. Working around asbestos opens one up to frequent exposure. If you develop asbestosis, you may want to pursue legal action against the parties responsible for your exposure. The experienced attorneys at Wallace & Graham, P.A., understand the most effective way to help you. Our firm can offer you legal guidance throughout this process. Contact us to speak with a team member about your case.