You may have heard that diseases caused by asbestos take years and even decades to develop after a person has worked with or has been otherwise exposed to asbestos. That’s typically true.
The latency period, which is the length of time between being exposed to this dangerous material and developing symptoms of a disease caused by it, is generally anywhere between 10 and 40 years. However, it depends on a number of factors, such as:
- How much asbestos a person was exposed to
- How long the exposure continued
- Whether a person exposed to asbestos is also a smoker
It should be noted that unlike other asbestos-related diseases, mesothelioma (widely considered the most serious one) can develop after exposure to even a small amount of asbestos.
Different asbestos-related diseases also have different latency periods. The most common respiratory diseases caused by asbestos are:
- Asbestosis,
- Asbestos-related pleural (lung and chest) abnormalities
- Lung and laryngeal cancer
- Malignant mesothelioma
All of these, except for some of the pleural abnormalities, typically have a latency period of multiple decades. However, radiographic changes, which are changes to the body that can be seen on x-rays or other scans, may show up sooner. Chest x-rays alone aren’t the best way of diagnosing lung diseases caused by asbestos in the early stages. More advanced tests, like CAT scans can better detect confirm changes in the lungs.
What does this mean for proving fault and getting compensation?
What does this long latency period, even with early testing as a precaution, mean for seeking compensation from the employer or other party that caused the exposure? State laws differ.
As we discussed in an earlier post, in Missouri, people have five years to begin legal action from the date they got an official diagnosis of mesothelioma or should have reasonably suspected that they were sick. If someone dies from mesothelioma, their surviving family has three years from their death to file a wrongful death suit.
A diagnosis of mesothelioma or any asbestos-related condition can leave a person – and their family – in shock. The primary focus needs to be on getting the best treatment as soon as possible. That treatment can be considerably expensive. That’s why it’s also critical to explore your options for compensation. Getting experienced legal guidance can help you hand that burden over to those responsible for your harm while you focus on your health.