Asbestosis and mesothelioma are occupational diseases accounting for a disproportionate amount of the cost of workers’ compensation claims and are financially devastating to a company. Asbestosis and mesothelioma are caused by breathing in asbestos fibers. Asbestos is a mined mineral used as a fire retardant, in insulation, and various building products prior to the Environmental Protection Agency restricting its use in 1989. Today only a few products contain asbestos and its production and use is strictly regulated.
Asbestosis is the fibrous scarring of the lungs due to breathing in asbestos fibers. The scarring of the lungs makes it difficult to breathe.
A person unfamiliar with asbestosis and mesothelioma might ask why a product rarely used in the last 20 years is responsible for workers’ compensation claims. Both asbestosis and mesothelioma are very slow developing diseases. It normally takes 10 to 20 years after exposure to asbestos for asbestosis to develop. Asbestosis can vary from no symptoms to being severely disabling and in some cases, fatal. Mesothelioma may develop 20 to 50 years after asbestos exposure. The average life expectancy after a mesothelioma diagnosis is short, with 75% of patients dying within the first year.
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Mesothelioma is often difficult for the physician to diagnose, as it often resembles less serious medical conditions. Symptoms of mesothelioma include persistent cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue, weight loss, nausea, and lumps under the skin on the chest. If the physician suspects mesothelioma, the physician reviews the patient’s medical history, completes a physical examination, and orders several diagnostic test including chest X-rays, pulmonary function test, Gallium lung scan, MRI scans, lung CT scan and PET scans. These tests are followed by a biopsy. The adjuster should expect to see most or all of these procedures in the medical records of the employee diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Some experts in the study of asbestosis and mesothelioma believe we have peaked in the number of new cases being reported and in the years ahead will see a slow, gradual decline in the number of asbestosis and mesothelioma claims. Other experts estimate perhaps only a third of all claims have been filed, due to the slow development of the diseases. Regardless of how many current claims and future asbestos related claims there may be, it is very important a workers’ comp adjuster specializing in asbestos related claims be assigned to handle them. By using the expert adjuster on these claims, it is possible to mitigate the total cost of these claims.
Author Rebecca Shafer J.D. Consultant, Amaxx Risks Solutions, Inc. has worked successfully for 20 years with many industries to reduce Workers’ Compensation costs, including airlines, healthcare, manufacturing, printing/publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality and manufacturing. He can be contacted at: RShafer@ ReduceYourWorkersComp.com or 860-553-6604.
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Do not use this information without independent verification. All state laws vary. You should consult with your insurance broker or agent about workers’ comp issues.
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