Asbestos-Related Lung Cancer: Legal and Medical Guide for Victims
Chandler H. Udo, Partner, Oslund Udo Little Last Updated: September 17, 2025
- Asbestos-related lung cancer develops after inhaled asbestos fibers lodge in the lungs, causing inflammation and tumor growth.
- Asbestos lung cancer primarily causes respiratory symptoms, but some patients do not become symptomatic until the cancer has spread.
- Workers in certain industries, including construction, shipbuilding, and heating and cooling, are at particular risk, while their families are at risk via secondary exposure.
- If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with asbestos lung cancer, you may be eligible for compensation.
- Compensation options include civil lawsuits, asbestos trust funds, and benefits for veterans.
What Is Asbestos-Related Lung Cancer?
Asbestos-related lung cancer is a condition that causes tumors to form inside the lung tissue due to asbestos exposure. As the tumors grow, they invade and block the airways, causing breathing difficulties.
Mesothelioma vs. Lung Cancer
Asbestos lung cancer may share some symptoms with mesothelioma. Both are cancers that stem from asbestos exposure, but asbestos-related lung cancer develops inside the lung tissue, whereas mesothelioma grows in the tissue lining the lungs. Mesothelioma may also develop in other parts of the body, such as the abdomen.
How Asbestos Causes Lung Cancer
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral consisting of durable, fire-resistant fibers. These properties made asbestos extremely popular as a component of many industrial materials.
When people work with asbestos or demolish structures containing asbestos, the material releases tiny fibers into the air. Bystanders can inhale or ingest those fibers, which become lodged in the lungs or stomach and cause chronic inflammation, cell damage, and tumors. Scientists remain uncertain about how this happens, with possible theories ranging from DNA damage to changes in cell communication.
Smoking increases your risk of developing lung cancer from asbestos exposure. Talk to a doctor about your risk factors.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Asbestos lung cancer symptoms vary significantly, but often include the following:
- Worsening or persistent cough
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Chest pain
- Coughing up blood
- Constant tiredness
- Unexplained weight loss
Many patients do not notice symptoms until the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. For example, someone with lung cancer that has metastasized to the liver may notice belly pain, swelling, loss of appetite, or yellowing of the skin.
Next Steps if You Have Symptoms
If there is any chance your symptoms may point to asbestos lung cancer, the next step is to seek medical attention for a diagnostic workup. Diagnosing asbestos-related lung cancer typically starts with an X-ray, computed tomography, or CT, scan, or another type of imaging.
If scans suggest a possible tumor, doctors may order a biopsy, which involves taking a sample for laboratory analysis. Should those results confirm lung cancer, your health care team will use that information to develop a treatment plan.
The prospect of cancer can be frightening, but early detection can increase your chances of successful treatment and may improve your prognosis. Identifying asbestos lung cancer sooner also expands your legal options, as you must have a diagnosis to pursue legal action for exposure.
You do not need a diagnosis to speak with an attorney. If you suspect you may have asbestos lung cancer, call us at 206-947-9510 in Washington or 503-447-6230 in Oregon to discuss legal options.
Latency and Early Detection
Research suggests that the latency period for asbestos lung cancer is 40 years after initial exposure, with almost all diagnoses happening at least 10 years post-exposure.
If you worked in a high-risk job or lived with someone who did, consider discussing your exposure history with doctors. Known exposure can be the defining factor that prompts doctors to consider asbestos-related illnesses.
Who Is at Risk for Asbestos Lung Cancer?
Given the link between asbestos exposure and lung cancer risk, it’s essential to understand your exposure to this common compound. Those who worked with asbestos-containing materials are at an exceptionally high risk, as prolonged exposure increases a person’s likelihood of developing related illnesses.
Asbestos was a common component in industrial materials throughout most of the 20th century. You may be at risk if you have worked in any of the following occupations:
- Construction workers
- Electricians
- HVAC workers
- Insulators
- Metal workers
- Pipefitters
- Railroad workers
- Oil refinery workers
- Paper mill workers
- Power plant workers
- Shipyard workers
The risk is lower for workers today due to regulations restricting the use of asbestos. However, exposure is still possible in older buildings and worksites that still contain the material.
Secondary Exposure and Family Risk
If you lived with someone who worked in a high-risk occupation, you may be vulnerable to asbestos lung cancer due to secondary exposure. Workers exposed to asbestos can bring the toxic fibers home on their clothing, hair, skin, or tools. Those fibers release into the air at home, where family members inhale them. Our team can help you research your family’s risk and potentially track your exposure.
Treatment Options for Asbestos Lung Cancer
Asbestos lung cancer treatment depends on the type of cancer cells and how far the disease has spread. If the cancer is small and has not spread, the typical first step is surgery to remove the tumor or tumors.
For larger and more advanced cancers, treatment often begins with chemotherapy or radiation. Chemotherapy uses strong medications that target cancer cells throughout the body, while radiation uses targeted beams of energy to attack specific tumors. Doctors may also use these treatments before or after surgery to shrink tumors or kill remaining cancer cells.
A newer and promising form of treatment is immunotherapy. Cancer cells survive by evading the immune system, but immunotherapy can override that mechanism, enabling the body’s naturally occurring immune cells to find and destroy the cancer.
Every case is unique, which makes individualized treatment plans crucial. Consider seeing a doctor as soon as possible to optimize your chances of a successful outcome.
Prognosis and Life Expectancy
Asbestos lung cancer prognosis is as varied as the illness. A patient’s survival rate depends on numerous factors, including the stage of cancer spread and the person’s overall health.
Legal Options After Diagnosis
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with asbestos lung cancer, you have the right to compensation. Your options depend on how you were exposed and who is responsible for that exposure.
Paths for compensation include the following:
- Personal injury lawsuits: Personal injury claims against the parties responsible for your asbestos exposure
- Asbestos trust funds: Established by asbestos manufacturers and distributors that filed for bankruptcy protection to compensate victims
- Wrongful death lawsuits: Claims that can compensate surviving family members for medical costs, end-of-life expenses, and loss of family income or support
We will explain your options and guide you through your chosen process. We are proud to be the Pacific Northwest’s premier asbestos law firm. We provide our clients with compassionate, personalized attention and tenacious representation.
Lung Cancer Frequently Asked Questions: FAQs
If you or a loved one has recently been diagnosed with lung cancer from asbestos exposure, you undoubtedly have many questions. Here are some answers:
What Is the Difference Between Mesothelioma and Asbestos-Related Lung Cancer?
Mesothelioma grows in the tissue lining the lungs and other organs, while lung cancer develops in the lung’s tissue.
Am I Eligible for Compensation for My Asbestos-Related Lung Cancer?
Eligibility depends on a definitive diagnosis and basic information about your exposure. If you don’t know where you were exposed, our team can investigate your case and pinpoint the source. Our team will also evaluate your smoking history as smoking is another risk factor for lung cancer and can cause other non-asbestos conditions like emphasyma and COPD.
How Long Does It Take for Asbestos Exposure To Cause Lung Cancer?
Nearly all cases of asbestos lung cancer develop 10 years or more after exposure. The average latency period is approximately 40 years. Every patient’s situation is unique.
Can I Sue for Asbestos Lung Cancer if I Smoked?
A smoking history does not automatically exclude you from pursuing compensation. However, if a Washington or Oregon court determines that your smoking history contributed to your illness, it may affect your total compensation. An extensive smoking history of many pack years could make it less likely you could be entitled to compensation.
Does Everyone Exposed to Asbestos Develop Cancer?
Exposure to asbestos doesn’t necessarily mean that one will develop lung cancer or mesothelioma. However, it certainly increases the risk of contracting either disease. If you’re worried about the possibility of developing lung cancer or mesothelioma due to your asbestos exposure, it’s important to discuss your concerns and history of exposure with a doctor.
How Bergman Oslund Udo Little Can Help
Our attorneys have decades of experience representing victims of asbestos exposure. We focus exclusively on pursuing compensation for individuals in the Pacific Northwest with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses.
Client reviews and testimonials speak to our empathetic representation and knowledgeable guidance for patients with asbestos lung disease. We are with you every step of the way, helping you pursue compensation and hold asbestos companies accountable.
Speak With an Attorney Today
As experienced asbestos attorneys, we understand the financial burden of lung cancers. We work exclusively on a contingency basis, meaning there is no upfront cost and no fee unless we win.
Don’t risk missing the filing deadline imposed by the statute of limitations. Call 206-957-9510 in Washington or 503-447-6230 in Oregon, or contact us online to file a claim today.
