1. Asbestos exposure

Asbestos is a durable and fireproof mineral that was mined and used in construction, manufacturing and other heavy industries for much of the 20th century. In 1999, the Control of Asbestos Regulations Act made using asbestos illegal; however, many people continue to die each year due to exposure to the harmful substance.

There are more than 75 occupations that put workers at risk of asbestos exposure. The most high-risk jobs were found in:

2. Onset of symptoms

Common symptoms of asbestos-related illnesses include:

Symptoms can often be mistaken for those associated with less severe conditions, such as pneumonia or flu. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, especially if you have a history of working in a high-risk environment, you should book an appointment with your GP.

3. Heavy exposure to asbestos

For people who have suffered continued heavy exposure to asbestos, such as asbestos miners and insulation workers, the latency period typically lies between 12 and 20 years.

4. Average latency period

Asbestos-related illnesses, such as asbestosis and mesothelioma, have long latency periods, meaning the disease does not develop until years after exposure to asbestos.

On average, a condition will only present itself 40 years after the initial exposure; however, it is not unheard of for an illness to develop slower or quicker than this. The latency period depends on the duration and intensity of exposure.

5. The impact of asbestos on the human body

Doctors describe how mesothelioma grows and spreads in four stages. Patients diagnosed with stage one or two mesothelioma have the most treatments options, while those in stages three or four can improve their quality of life with palliative treatments.

For more information on how asbestos affects the human body, visit our dedicated page.

6. Diagnosis and prognosis

Diagnosing asbestos-related illnesses involves a serious of imaging tests, blood tests and biopsies, usually carried out by a specialist.

Following a diagnosis, additional tests will be carried out to determine the stage a tumour is at. This will help to plan the best course of treatment to maximise your life expectancy.

The primary treatments for asbestos-related illnesses usually include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, with the aim of removing as much of the cancer as possible.

7. Recovery

After treatments, you will need to recuperate through rest and palliative care to help relieve symptoms related to the disease or treatments. This may be administered in the hospital or in your home. Your care team will ensure your comfort following treatment and help with pain management.

You will continue to meet with your care team to track the results of your recovery and discuss any further care needs.

8. Take legal action

If your asbestos-related illness was caused by your working conditions, you may be eligible to make a claim for compensation. Our expert asbestos solicitors will help you through the claims process.

They do this by:

For information on how JMW will handle your compensation claim, take a look at our seven-point plan.