Asbestos Compensation Claims

Asbestos disease is a form of industrial disease most commonly caused by exposure to asbestos in an industrial setting. As such, it is considered a type of accident at work.

The days of working with asbestos are long gone in the UK. However, whilst legislation banning asbestos use was introduced by the government decades ago, sadly, asbestos disease is not a thing of the past.

New diagnoses of all forms of asbestos-related disease are made every day. Employees whose last exposure to asbestos came forty years or more ago suddenly find their lives, and those of their families, being turned upside down due to an unexpected diagnosis.

A diagnosis of asbestos disease is devastating for the victim and their family. Although no amount of money can give asbestos disease victims their health back, many can bring successful asbestos disease compensation claims to help them and their families achieve some form of financial security at an otherwise hugely distressing time. Compensation also helps pay for specialist medical treatment or care.

If you cannot find the information that you are looking for, simply contact us using this form or by calling us on 0800 987 8809. We will be only too pleased to try and help you.

Protecting health. Enhancing awareness. Working towards a safer future.

Who can bring an asbestos compensation claim?

There are a variety of circumstances in which a person might make an asbestos compensation claim.

Workers exposed to asbestos by their employers can claim for their industrial injuries. Usually, those who worked where they were regularly and extensively exposed to asbestos are most at risk of getting an asbestos-related disease.

Those who suffered secondary asbestos exposure from asbestos fibres carried home on clothes worn by people who worked in environments where asbestos use was rife can also make asbestos claims. It’s called ‘secondary exposure’ because their exposure came from contact with asbestos fibres carried on the body and clothes of someone who had direct exposure to the asbestos at the source, i.e., in the workplace. Asbestos fibres became airborne whilst washing the clothes by hand and were inhaled by the family member who was doing the washing.

People who work in old buildings such as libraries, schools and hospitals can become exposed to asbestos that is still present. If they get an asbestos disease, they too may be able to claim against their employers. Asbestos left intact in the fabric of buildings does not usually cause health problems. However, in the case of old buildings, asbestos exposure can occur when asbestos in the fabric of the building becomes worn or damaged.

What does someone claiming asbestos compensation need to prove?

• They suffered asbestos exposure.
• The employer was negligent or breached a statutory duty (law set out in an Act of Parliament).
• Their asbestos exposure caused their illness.

If you have been diagnosed with an asbestos disease or think you may have got an asbestos illness, but have not yet been diagnosed, get in touch with one of our asbestos solicitors, who will do all they can to ensure that you get the compensation that you deserve.

We will answer any queries you have about what you need to prove to make an asbestos claim or anything else you want to know about asbestos disease claims.

You can call one of our specialist asbestos disease solicitors on 0800 987 8809 now, free of charge, and they will only be too pleased to answer any questions you have about asbestos claims.

What type of asbestos claims are there?

• Mesothelioma claims.
• Asbestos Lung Cancer claims.
• Asbestosis claims.
• Pleural Thickening claims.

Claiming for Pleural Plaques compensation in England and Wales is no longer possible.

Are there any time limits for bringing an asbestos disease claim?

With asbestos disease claims, the time limit, or ‘limitation period’, for bringing an asbestos disease claim against an employer is three years from when you first think you have an asbestos illness, or alternatively, three years from the date of your loved one’s asbestos related disease death. In most cases, it will be three years from when you are diagnosed with an asbestos illness by a doctor.

Should you have been diagnosed with asbestos disease or believe you may have an asbestos disease but haven’t yet been diagnosed, we recommend contacting one of our asbestos disease compensation solicitors to discuss your circumstances. Knowing when the three-year period starts is vital, so you know how long you have left to start an asbestos claim.

Can I still make an asbestos claim even if my employer no longer exists?

How can you claim against an employer you last worked for over thirty, forty or fifty years ago? Their business may not exist anymore. We probably get asked this question more than any other by people with asbestos-related conditions.

Companies whose owners were responsible for causing asbestos exposure to their workers often go out of business before their former employees get an asbestos disease and decide to make an asbestos claim.

Fortunately, if the company had employers’ liability insurance when asbestos exposure occurred, a claim could be brought against the insurance company.

Our experienced asbestos disease solicitors have the knowledge gained from years of dealing with asbestos claims to track down the relevant insurance policy and the particular insurance company against whom the claim will be made.

Specialist asbestos solicitors James Burrell and Leanne Keating of Bridge McFarland LLP have a wealth of experience tracking down the insurers of companies responsible for causing asbestos exposure to their employees.

You can call James or Leanne on 0800 987 8809 for advice on bringing an asbestos disease claim against an employer no longer in business.

No Win No Fee asbestos disease compensation claim

Asbestos Awareness recommended asbestos disease solicitors handle asbestos claims on a No Win No Fee basis. This gives their clients the comfort of knowing they will have no legal fees if their claim doesn’t succeed.

How long will my asbestos claim take to complete?

Each asbestos case is different. For example, areas where individual claims may differ include:

• the amount of evidence there is about asbestos exposure.
• how easy it is to trace an employer’s insurance.
• in the case of lung cancer, establishing whether asbestos was the cause of the disease.
• whether any form of expert evidence is required.

Pleural Thickening

Pleural thickening cases are often the quickest type of asbestos claim to conclude, in anything from 12 to 18 months.

Asbestosis and Lung Cancer

Before they can be proven, asbestosis and asbestos lung cancer usually require more evidence about the extent of asbestos exposure a client has suffered. Generally, this type of case takes up to three years to settle.

Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma claims are often settled quickly, certainly in cases where the person is still alive. Sadly, the prognosis for mesothelioma sufferers is usually poor after diagnosis. For this reason, there is a specialist High Court Fast Track Procedure for getting mesothelioma claims through to be decided upon at court as quickly as possible.

A ‘living’ mesothelioma claim can sometimes be settled within six months from the date of instructions to act being received by our solicitors.

Asbestos Lawyer UK

If you, or a loved one, has been diagnosed with asbestos disease, or if you only suspect you might have an asbestos disease, please get in touch with us without delay.

We will ensure one of our specialist asbestos disease solicitors calls you back on the same day your enquiry is received.

Your initial telephone consultation with our expert will be free and without obligation to take the matter further unless you want to do so.

Asbestos Awareness is dedicated to informing, educating, and supporting people in relation to asbestos-related diseases.

For further information, or to speak to a member of our experienced medical personal injury solicitors, please call 0800 987 8809. Alternatively, you can fill in this contact form.

To discuss making an asbestos compensation claim, please complete the form below to receive an email or a phone call from us.