Asbestos-Related Pleural Disease

Exposure to asbestos can cause illnesses that affect the lining of the lungs, called the pleura. Common pleural diseases include pleural effusions, plaques, and mesothelioma. Compensation from an asbestos lawsuit can help patients cover medical expenses, lost wages, and more. See if we may be able to help you seek compensation for an asbestos-related pleural disease.

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Written by: Rae Theodore

Last updated: Apr 07, 2025

Fact-Checked and Legally Reviewed by: Amy E. Garrett

Understanding Asbestos and Pleural Diseases

Asbestos exposure can lead to pleural diseases, which are conditions that affect the pleura — the protective lining of the lungs and chest cavity.

When microscopic asbestos fibers are inhaled or swallowed, they can become trapped in the pleura. The fibers cause inflammation and scarring over time, which may trigger nonmalignant (noncancerous) and malignant (cancerous) pleural diseases later in life.

Pleural diseases caused by asbestos include:

Mesothelioma, a life-threatening cancer
Pleural effusion, a buildup of fluid between the pleura and the lung
Pleural plaques, small deposits of protein that form in the pleura
Pleural thickening due to scarring of the pleura

An asbestos-related pleural disease can take anywhere from 10 to 50 years to develop after a victim’s initial exposure. Many asbestos companies knew about the health risks but kept quiet to keep making money.

LawFirm.com works with asbestos lawyers who have secured over $10.2 billion for victims nationwide. They never charge any upfront costs or hourly fees and can help families in all 50 states.

Get a free case review now to see if one of our trusted legal partners may be able to seek compensation for you.

Types of Asbestos-Related Pleural Disorders

Anyone who came in contact with asbestos is at risk of developing an asbestos-related pleural disease later in life. Thousands of products were made using asbestos before the risks were revealed, putting millions in harm’s way.

Find out more about the different types of pleural disease due to asbestos, their symptoms, and the risks they pose to your health.

Pleural Mesothelioma

Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a rare but aggressive cancer that develops in the pleura. Asbestos is the only known cause of this life-threatening disease.

Common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include:

A dry cough
Chest pains
Difficulty breathing
Fever and sweating
Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
Unexplained weight loss

Pleural mesothelioma symptoms are often vague, so it’s misdiagnosed in many cases. Symptoms usually don’t appear until the cancer has spread, making it difficult to treat and resulting in a poor prognosis (health outlook).

Patients with this malignant pleural disease may be able to undergo treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy, which can potentially help them live longer. However, mesothelioma treatment can be expensive, costing over $400,000 a year.

Call (866) 447-8466 right now or chat with a case manager to see if an experienced mesothelioma lawyer can fight for compensation to cover your medical expenses.

Asbestos Pleural Effusions

A pleural effusion is a buildup of fluid between the two layers of the pleural space. It’s one of the most common health issues related to asbestos exposure.

Some patients with this asbestos-related pleural disease don’t experience any symptoms. They only receive a diagnosis after they have a chest X-ray for another health concern.

Patients who do experience symptoms may have:

A dry cough
Breathing problems
Chest pain

Relieving pleural effusions typically involves minimally invasive surgeries to drain the fluid. However, when the fluid buildup is severe, patients may need to have part of the pleura removed through a procedure known as a pleurectomy and decortication (P/D).

Pleural Plaques

A pleural plaque is a buildup of protein called collagen that has become calcified (hardened). It is the most common asbestos-related disease.

This benign asbestos-related pleural disease doesn’t typically cause symptoms and is generally harmless. However, their presence indicates asbestos exposure and a potential risk for developing another asbestos-induced pleural disease.

Patients should be monitored for other more serious asbestos-related conditions like mesothelioma and lung cancer.

Diffuse Pleural Thickening

Diffuse pleural thickening (pleural fibrosis) occurs when the pleura hardens due to scarring. The scarring is more extensive than with pleural plaques and can extend along the entire chest wall.

Pleural thickening develops due to asbestos fibers constantly irritating the pleura. While symptoms of this asbestos-related pleural disease may not appear initially, they can worsen over time and lead to severe lung problems.

Symptoms of pleural thickening include:

Coughing
Difficulty breathing
Fatigue
Fever
Pain while inhaling or exhaling

Breathing exercises may be used to help manage symptoms and improve a patient’s quality of life. In severe cases, patients may need a P/D.

Asbestosis vs Asbestos-Related Pleural Disease

Asbestosis is another serious illness that’s sometimes mistaken for a pleural disease. While asbestosis shares symptoms with pleural diseases — including a cough and shortness of breath — this illness directly affects the lungs, not the pleura. You may have asbestosis in addition to an asbestos-related pleural disease.

Many asbestos companies knew of the risks but failed to warn the public, which is why patients with mesothelioma and other pleural diseases can potentially sue them today.

Get a free case review to see if you may qualify for compensation from an asbestos lawsuit.

Diagnosing a Pleural Disease

Doctors reviewing a lung x-ray Diagnosing an asbestos-related pleural disease requires a thorough medical evaluation and a series of tests to look for abnormalities in the pleura and lungs.

Tests to diagnose an asbestos-related pleural disease may include:

A physical exam in which a doctor will ask about your symptoms, review your medical history, and ask about past asbestos exposure
Imaging tests like chest X-rays and computed tomography (CT scans) to identify fluid buildup or thickening inside the chest cavity
Other tests, such as ultrasounds, PET scans, or blood tests, to get more information

If an asbestos-related cancer is suspected, a doctor will remove a fluid or tissue sample for testing. A biopsy is the only way to confirm a pleural mesothelioma cancer diagnosis.

These diagnostic methods aim to identify conditions like scarring, fluid buildup, calcification, or tumors. An accurate diagnosis is crucial for improving treatment outcomes, especially for an asbestos-related pleural disease like mesothelioma that progresses quickly.

Asbestos-Related Pleural Disease Treatment

A doctor may treat an asbestos-related pleural disease using different methods depending on the type of disease a patient has and their individual needs.

Treatments for pleural diseases may include:

Chemotherapy: Powerful drugs are used to kill cancer cells. Two chemotherapy drugs, pemetrexed and cisplatin, are typically used to treat pleural mesothelioma.
Extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP): One of two major surgeries used to treat pleural mesothelioma, it involves removing all visible cancer tumors, the lung closest to the cancer, the pleura, and other cancerous tissue.
Pleurectomy with Decortication (P/D): Another surgery used to treat pleural mesothelioma, doctors remove the pleura and cancerous cells but not the lung itself. This allows patients to recover faster and often with fewer complications than an EPP.
Pleural catheters: A catheter inserted into the chest cavity treats pleural effusions that keep returning. Patients can use the catheter to drain the pleural fluid at home as it accumulates.
Radiation: In the case of pleural mesothelioma, high-energy X-rays may be used to kill cancerous tumors in the lung lining.
Talc pleurodesis: Doctors drain the pleural space and fill it with medical-grade talc. The two linings of the pleura stick together so fluids or air can’t build up. It’s sometimes used to treat a pleural effusion.
Thoracentesis: This is used to drain pleural effusions so patients may have fewer breathing problems. The procedure can also be used for a fluid biopsy if cancer is suspected.
Thoracostomy: Similar to a thoracentesis, a small tube is inserted into the pleural cavity to remove air or fluid.

Doctors may recommend other treatments like medications or surgeries based on the patient’s asbestos-related pleural disease, symptoms, and overall health.

The success of treatments for pleural diseases can vary. Patients with pleural mesothelioma may face a poor health outlook, but some have lived for decades after getting medical care.

Get a free case review to see if a top mesothelioma law firm may be able to seek compensation for your treatments and more.

Asbestos Pleural Disease Compensation

If you’ve been diagnosed with an asbestos-related pleural disease, you may be eligible for compensation to help lessen any financial burdens. A lawyer can handle all aspects of an asbestos claim, so you can focus on your health.

Compensation options for an asbestos-related pleural disease include:

Asbestos lawsuits: These lawsuits are filed against the companies that made and sold the asbestos-containing products that made you sick. They award over $1 million on average for illnesses like mesothelioma, often without going to court.
Asbestos trust funds: There’s an estimated $30 billion sitting in mesothelioma trusts, and most victims qualify for compensation from multiple funds, increasing their potential total payout.
VA benefits: Due to the prevalence of asbestos in the military, veterans are at an increased risk for pleural diseases. Veterans with mesothelioma may qualify for over $4,000 a month in disability benefits and free health care.

The asbestos lawyers in our network can seek compensation from all of the options you qualify for, so you don’t leave any money on the table.

Get Help From an Asbestos-Related Pleural Disease Lawyer

Asbestos exposure can lead to pleural diseases that affect a person physically, emotionally, and financially. While treatments can help some patients feel better and even live longer, they can be expensive.

LawFirm.com believes the companies that put hardworking Americans in harm’s way should be footing the bill for the damage they’ve caused.

We’ve partnered with top asbestos lawyers who can even the playing field for everyday people and hold negligent corporations accountable. Together, they’ve secured over $10.2 billion for victims across the country.

The asbestos law firms in our network:

Can help asbestos lung disease victims in all 50 states
Have resources to determine how and where you were exposed
Never charge any upfront costs or hourly fees

Call (866) 447-8466 now or get a free case review to see if an experienced asbestos attorney may be able to help you.

Asbestos-Related Pleural Disease FAQs

What is pleural disease?

Pleural disease is a health condition that affects the pleura, which is the protective tissue that lines the lungs and chest cavity.

Pleural diseases like pleural mesothelioma, effusions, and plaques are often caused by asbestos exposure. Patients may be eligible for compensation from the asbestos companies that manufactured the products they were exposed to.

Get a free case review to find out about your legal options if you have an asbestos-related pleural disease.

What are asbestos-related pleural disease symptoms?

Asbestos-related pleural disease symptoms typically affect a patient’s lung function and develop 10 to 50 years after exposure.

Common symptoms of pleural diseases include:

Chest pain
Chronic cough
Difficulty breathing
Shortness of breath

If you have symptoms of an asbestos-related pleural disease, get checked out by your doctor as soon as possible. Make sure you mention your occupational exposure history.

They can order tests like a chest radiograph (X-ray) to make a diagnosis and provide treatment to improve your health outlook.

What are pleural disease causes?

Pleural diseases may be caused by exposure to asbestos, a carcinogenic mineral that was once used to make thousands of common household materials.

Other causes of pleural diseases include lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and infections like pneumonia.

When a patient suffers an asbestos-related pleural disease, they may be eligible for compensation from asbestos companies.

Call (866) 447-8466 now to find out about your legal options.

What are the main medications used for pleural disease?

Medications used to treat pleural diseases may vary, depending on factors like the illness a patient has and its severity.

Medications used to treat pleural disease include:

Antibiotics if an infection is present
Chemotherapy in the case of pleural mesothelioma
Diuretics to help the body get rid of extra fluid
Steroids for the reduction of inflammation and to open airways

Your doctor can prescribe the medications that are likely to help manage your symptoms and improve pulmonary function.

In some cases, patients may be eligible for compensation to help cover their medications and more.

Get a free case review to see if you may qualify.

Fact-Checked and Legally Reviewed by: Amy E. GarrettPartner

Lawyer
Editor

Amy Garrett is a partner at Simmons Hanly Conroy with more than 22 years of litigation experience. Amy has helped the firm secure billions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for clients. Over the past two decades, she has gained a reputation as a litigator who advocates for her asbestos and complex litigation clients both inside and outside the courtroom.