Asbestos compensation claims
Our specialist asbestos solicitors represent victims and their families from all over the UK and are highly experienced in investigating asbestos claims to track down the responsible parties.
We offer free advice and guidance while we initially investigate your claim without obligation to proceed. We can arrange home visits and can help you access, where appropriate, early interim compensation payments and benefit entitlements. All ongoing work is carried out on a no win, no fee basis.
We understand what you’re currently going through and are here to help. If you have any questions, big or small, get in touch..
What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral that was first mined in South Africa in 1805. There are three different types of asbestos which have varying levels of toxicity; these being blue asbestos (crocidolite) which is believed to be the most potent, brown asbestos (amosite) and white asbestos (chrysotile).
Asbestos was mainly used for its insulation properties and was often mixed with other materials. It was commonly used in steel production, ship building and the construction industry. Over the years, the UK has banned the import of asbestos, with the ban on blue and brown coming into force in 1985 and white asbestos being banned in 1999. Read more in our FAQ’s.
What diseases are caused by Asbestos?
Asbestos exposure can cause a range of illnesses, including:
- Mesothelioma is a form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. The condition most commonly affects the lining of the lung (pleura), but mesothelioma can develop in the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum), the testes and the heart (pericardium). Around 2000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma in the UK each year. There is currently no known cure, although there have been recent breakthroughs in treatment options and we can look to recover the cost of such treatment through a legal claim.
- Asbestosis is a fibrosis (scarring) of the lungs themselves. There are various causes of lung fibrosis, but if you have been exposed to heavy levels of asbestos dust, then it’s possible that asbestos exposure has caused this condition. Symptoms include breathlessness and pain.
- There are different forms of lung cancer, which result in the formation of malignant tumours within the lungs. Causes of lung cancer include heavy asbestos exposure. Even if you have smoked, we may still be able to show that asbestos exposure increased the risk of you developing lung cancer.
- Pleural thickening is a term which refers to a thickening of the lining of the lung (pleura) caused by scar tissue. It can arise from a number of causes, which include asbestos exposure. Symptoms include breathlessness and pain.
If you have been diagnosed with an asbestos condition it is important that you find out as much as you can about your illness from your doctor.
Who is at risk from Asbestos exposure?
Exposure to asbestos may result in serious illness and even premature death, for up to 70 years after the initial exposure. Exposure to asbestos can arise from a variety of different circumstances such as:
- Employment – many of those that suffer with asbestos related illnesses have previously been employed in a trade that used asbestos products. Most commonly these include builders, carpenters and plumbers who used products such as asbestos boards, rope, insulation and more in the course of their working lives.
- Environment – some sufferers of an asbestos related disease are exposed to asbestos by working in a particular environment such as in factories, steelworks, on buildings site and ships where asbestos is used in and around the work environment. Less common environments which contained asbestos materials also include hospitals, schools and farms.
- Secondary Exposure – this is when dust and fibres released from asbestos related products are transferred from one person to another. Anexample of this is when a wife washes the overalls of her husband which had been contaminated with dust through his work with or near asbestos related products.
If you or a family member has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis or pleural thickening then you may have the right to make a compensation claim. Even those who have been exposed to asbestos and have been diagnosed with lung cancer may be eligible to claim.
Can I claim compensation for Asbestos exposure?
If you have been diagnosed with an illness such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis or pleural thickening then you should contact our specialist solicitors to find out whether you’re eligible for compensation. We will ask you some key questions about your working history and your illness so that we can make further investigations and advise you on the likelihood of your claim succeeding.
We may even be able to help you if your lung cancer has been attributed to smoking, if you have a history of working in an asbestos based environment.
Our investigation process is free of charge and we will advise you in detail about the next steps before you agree to instruct us.
If you decide to instruct us we will act on a no win, no fee basis which will be fully explained to you beforehand.
How much will an Asbestos compensation claim cost me?
Your claim will be dealt with under a ‘no win, no fee’ agreement. If your claim is not successful it will not cost you anything. Please speak with one of our solicitors for more detail on how these agreements work.
Are there time limits for making an Asbestos claim?
Technically, you have three years from the date you were diagnosed with an asbestos-related condition in which to make a claim. There are however exceptions to this and it is worth contacting us in any event, even if you are outside this time frame. If a loved one has passed away from an asbestos-related condition, you have three years from the date of their death in which to make a claim.
Why choose Hugh James?
We are experts in dealing with mesothelioma and asbestos-related disease claims. The specialist Hugh James team will ensure that you and your family get the help you need.
We regularly help people who have been diagnosed with the following conditions:
Our lawyers have been successfully handling industrial disease and asbestos cases for individuals and families for over 50 years. We understand that the time following diagnosis with an asbestos-related condition is distressing, so we provide on-going support for our clients and their families and make sure the process is as straightforward as possible.
We are relentless in the pursuit of justice. Our specialist team will provide expert legal advice to ensure you receive the best care, treatment and the highest level of compensation.