Mesothelioma is a cancerous tumour of the mesothelium, a lubricating lining or layer around some of the major organs in the body. It is caused by exposure to asbestos and usually occurs from poor working conditions.

Mesothelioma most commonly affects the pleura (the lining around the lung). It can also affect the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity) and less commonly the pericardium (the lining around the heart). Asbestos exposure is by far the most common known cause of mesothelioma. The risk of mesothelioma increases with the amount of mesothelioma asbestos each person someone has been exposed to.

Symptoms for asbestos mesothelioma usually take up to 40 years after the initial exposure, while shorter periods of around 20 years are less common but not unheard of. Periods of 10 years or less are very rare, primarily because the tumour is thought to begin to grow about 10 years before symptoms begin to be felt.

If you or a loved one has contracted mesothelioma by being exposed to asbestos at work, then you could be eligible to make a compensation claim.

The Hugh James specialist mesothelioma solicitors are highly experienced in helping families and people affected by mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses make successful claims. 

We’re passionate about fighting for compensation and benefits for the families and people afflicted by asbestos mesothelioma.

Asbestosis is a fibrosis of the lungs caused by asbestos. The term asbestosis is sometimes used as a term for other asbestos conditions but medically this is incorrect.

Asbestosis usually develops 20 years or more after exposure to asbestos. It can develop sooner where someone has been exposed to very high levels of asbestos however.

Far more exposure to asbestos is required to cause asbestosis than pleural plaques, pleural thickening or mesothelioma. Asbestosis is usually a progressive disease which can cause increasing breathlessness and cough as it progresses. Typically the disease is more extensive the more asbestos you have been exposed to.

Asbestosis can remain stable for many years causing little disability though. The risk of developing other asbestos conditions rises when someone is diagnosed with asbestosis because of the high levels of asbestos they must have been exposed to in order to develop the condition. The risks arise out of the exposure to asbestos and not the presence of asbestosis.

Compensation for asbestosis depends on the extent of the symptoms it is causing and benefits are also available.

Any of the common types of lung cancer can be caused by asbestos. Lung cancer can also be caused by other things than asbestos though, such as smoking.

There are different schools of thought in the medical world about lung cancer caused by asbestos. There is agreement that the risk of lung cancer is increased according to the amount of asbestos someone is exposed to and the risks are further increased if someone has a history of smoking.

Some medical experts believe that asbestos related lung cancer can only be diagnosed if the patient also suffers with asbestosis.  It is now accepted amongst many medical experts that asbestos can cause lung cancer even where the patient does not have asbestosis. However, to prove that the lung cancer has been caused by asbestos, a history of considerable asbestos exposure needs to be proved. Far more exposure to asbestos is required to cause asbestosis, and asbestos lung cancer, than pleural plaques, pleural thickening or mesothelioma.

There is no typical period of time between the asbestos exposure and the onset of the asbestos related lung cancer.

Pleural thickening is a thickening of the pleural layers around the lung.  There are two layers around the lung and pleural thickening can affect both the inner and outer layer. Pleural thickening usually takes 20 years or more to develop after exposure to asbestos.

Pleural thickening does not usually cause breathlessness or chest pain until it is diffuse and bilateral, which is once it affects both layers on both lungs. Diffuse pleural thickening usually develops following a pleural effusion.

Pleural thickening alone does not develop into a more serious asbestos condition however if it becomes bilateral and diffuse it can cause increasing breathlessness. Typically the thickening is more extensive the more asbestos someone has been exposed to. The risk of developing other asbestos conditions arises out of the exposure to asbestos and not the presence of pleural thickening.

Compensation for pleural thickening depends on the extent of the symptoms it is causing.  If it is diffuse and bilateral benefits are also available.

Mr P contacted Hugh James specialist asbestos team following his diagnosis with the asbestos related cancer, mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is an aggressive type of cancer that is solely caused by exposure to asbestos dust.

Mr P had worked at Triang Toys in Merthyr Tydfil in his early 20s where he was exposed to asbestos whilst working in the warehouse.  The girders in the warehouse were lined with asbestos insulation to protect against fire.  Unfortunately, the asbestos insulation was damaged by forklift trucks causing deadly asbestos dust to be generated.  The forklift trucks frequently collided with the girders damaging the asbestos and causing significant amounts of asbestos dust and debris to be discharged into the atmosphere and the workmen below.

Sadly Mr P was exposed to this asbestos dust which, over time, led to shortness of breath and eventually the development of mesothelioma.

Stanley Henderson (Stan) contacted Hugh James following his diagnosis with mesothelioma.  Stan worked in the Merchant Navy for over 15 different shipping lines between 1958 and 1966 and again between 1969 and 1973.  In 1973 he transferred to the British Docks Board.

Stan joined the merchant navy as an Ordinary Seaman and worked up the ranks to a General Purpose One.  He was exposed to asbestos on a daily basis when working on maintenance and carrying out cleaning duties.  When working on board the dredgers Stan spent full shifts in a crane cab which was lined with asbestos which flaked and broke off into the air of the cab.  Stan was never provided with respiratory protection.

Many years later Stan was diagnosed with Mesothelioma.  Stan instructed Hugh James’ specialist asbestos team of solicitors. The claim was quickly settled to ensure that Stan and his wife will be able to use the compensation to ensure that his needs are catered for.

During his time in the Merchant Navy Stan worked for the following shipping lines: P&A Campbell, John I Jacobs & Co, Trinder Anderson & Co, Prince Line Ltd, Rochester Shipping Co, Albright & Wilson, Bolton Steam Shipping Co, Shell Tanker Co, Idwal Williams & Co, British Methane,  Charles Hill & Sons, Regent Line, Devon Shipping Co, British Tanker Co, France Fenwick & Co, Elders & Fyffes, Castle Line, Houlder Brothers, Charles Saville and British Dredging Shipping Ltd.

Stan was kind enough to record a testimonial video for us. To see more about Stan, you can view his video on this page.

Hugh James specialist asbestos lawyers were instructed by Mrs B following her diagnosis with mesothelioma.  At the time of her diagnosis Mrs B did not know where she had been exposed to asbestos.

Mrs B had worked as secretary to a factory manager at Harker Stagg Ltd (a subsidiary of pharmaceutical giant Boehringer Ineglheim) for two years after leaving school.  Following extensive investigations it was established that the factory Mrs B had worked in was lined with asbestos sheets.  Mrs B was able to recall typing up reports in the laboratory attached to the factory on a daily basis.  On occasions the maintenance team repaired and replaced the asbestos sheets located in the ceiling of the laboratory whilst Mrs B was going about her work.

Upon confirmation that the building contained asbestos medical evidence was obtained in support of the claim.  Following swift negotiations with the defendant Hugh James specialist asbestos lawyers settled Mrs B’s claim for £113,000.

Mr S was diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of exposure to asbestos.

During his school holiday at the age of 17, Mr S spent two weeks working for Metal Box Co Ltd in Neath, South Wales.  Mr S’s job was to climb inside large industrial ovens which were lined with asbestos and scrape away the asbestos insulation.  Mr S went home covered in asbestos dust each day.  Many other schoolboys were employed by the company in similar roles stripping out old asbestos insulation.

Many years later Mr S was diagnosed with mesothelioma caused by previous asbestos exposure.  Following his diagnosis Mr S instructed Hugh James specialist asbestos lawyers.  An interim payment of £50,000 was quickly obtained from Metal Box Co Ltd and judgment entered against the company whilst the full value of Mr S’s claim was investigated.  The claim was swiftly resolved for a sum in excess of £300,000.