Asbestos is a silent killer responsible for several fatal and serious diseases including lung cancer and asbestosis, so it was no surprise when it was finally banned in 1999. Unfortunately, little was known then of the detrimental effects of asbestos exposure, but now we know it claims lives and has serious health implications not only for the individual, but also their families.

Where adequate protection was not provided to you during your career in the armed forces and you contracted an asbestos-related disease as a result, you are in a position to make an asbestos claim against the Ministry of Defence.

Military personnel working in the British Army, Royal Navy or Royal Air Force can contract an asbestos-related disease due to long-term exposure to the substance and even small levels of exposure over a significant period of time, can lead to diseases later in life.

When materials that contain asbestos are disturbed or damaged, fibres are released into the air. It is when inhaling these fibres that the damage occurs. Many asbestos-related diseases will not affect you immediately.

It can be over 30 years before you start to suffer with symptoms or health complications, but once diagnosed, it is unfortunately too late to reverse the damage and by which point your health would have deteriorated to such an extent that you will already be unable to continue working.

Asbestos is responsible for several worrying diseases, such as:

• Asbestosis – a serious type of lung scarring that causes them to shrink
• Asbestos-related lung cancer – with the risk of secondary cancers developing
• Mesothelioma – a type of cancer that affects the chest and abdomen lining
• Pleural thickening – causing breathlessness and discomfort
• Pleural plaques – areas of scar tissue on the lung lining

While it is not impossible to contract one of these diseases after a one-off incident, it is quite unlikely as they will usually develop after sustained exposure through your workplace.

The symptoms of asbestos exposure very depending on what your particular diagnosis is but the common symptoms of all asbestos-related lung diseases can include:

• Shortness of breath
• Persistent cough with mucus
• Chest tightness and pain
• Wheezing

It is always advisable to consult with your GP as soon as you begin to experience any unusual and persistent symptoms so that you can be assessed with X-rays and specific lung function tests, amongst other physical examinations.

If you have been exposed to asbestos and have developed an asbestos related disease as a result our solicitors can help you to make a Ministry of Defence asbestos claim for compensation.