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Asbestos was widely used in construction materials and many other products in the 1930s and then it was prohibited in the 1980s. As a result, buildings that were built or refurbished around that time are likely to have asbestos present. Individuals who worked in or near these settings might have been exposed unintentionally.
What is Asbestosis?
Inhalation of asbestos fibres can cause cancers such as mesothelioma and lung cancer, and other serious lung diseases such as asbestosis and pleural thickening. Asbestosis is a lung disease mostly caused by long exposure to asbestos. If asbestos fibres are breathed in, they may lead to scarring and thickening of the lung tissue. This decreases the elasticity of the lungs, making it difficult for the lungs to work effectively. The most common symptom of asbestosis is shortness of breath. Other symptoms of the disease are mentioned below:
- Chest pain
- Feeling tightness in the chest
- Constant, inexplicable cough
If you are unsure about you having asbestosis, we recommend getting your GP to see you. They can have tests done such as an X-ray, a CT scan, or a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis.As there is no cure for asbestosis, treatments such as oxygen therapy are available to relieve and control the symptoms.
Who is Eligible to File Asbestos Compensation Claims
If you or your loved one has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness, you might be entitled to make a claim. Various illnesses are linked to asbestos exposure, such as:
- Mesothelioma
- Lung cancer
- Asbestosis
- Pleural thickening
- Retroperitoneal fibrosis
Asbestos-related illnesses tend to occur many years after exposure, so you might still be able to claim even if your exposure occurred years ago.
Even if you are not sure where or when you were exposed, having a word with our personal injury solicitor is worthwhile. We have long-standing expertise in tracking asbestos exposure based on thorough records we’ve taken over years of working with such cases.
You can be able to make an additional claim if you previously were paid out for an asbestos condition that was not so serious and you’ve gone on to contract a more advanced illness such as mesothelioma.
To know more, please reach out to us at 0800 970 2727. You can also contact us online. We are for you at all times.
Who Is at Risk of Asbestosis?
Mostly those individuals develop asbestosis who suffer asbestos exposure within their workplace. Some occupations hold a greater risk because of daily exposure to asbestos materials, which include:
- Boilermakers
- Electricians
- Fitters
- Shipbuilders
- Carpenters and joiners
Family members working in these types of occupations are also at risk. Asbestos dust carried home on workwear can unknowingly expose others to the toxic material.
Filing a Claim on behalf of a Loved One
In some cases, only after a post-mortem has revealed that the relative suffered from an asbestos illness do the relatives realise they have lost someone because of it. If this happens to you, you can make a claim for compensation. If your relative had initiated an asbestos claim but died before the claim was settled, you might have the right to pursue the claim on their behalf.
Asbestos Compensation Claims-Know more
Asbestos compensation claims typically proceed in a five-step process:
- Free Consultation: We begin our journey to success by providing a free and confidential consultation to learn more about your circumstances and discuss the best means of proceeding with your claim.
- Establishing Responsibility: At Claim Time Solicitors, we conduct an investigation into when and where your asbestos exposure took place. Even if the company involved has shut down or dissolved, we can seek compensation through their insurers.
- Evaluating Your Needs: We’ll consider the impact the illness had on you and your loved ones. This assists us in deciding upon the right amount of compensation to fund your care and financial well-being.
- Access to Support: We can help you obtain any benefits you’re owed financially, in addition to finding you care services and other forms of support while you’re going through your claim.
- Reaching a Resolution: The majority of asbestos claims are resolved out of court. But if the party responsible denies accountability or challenges the compensation amount, a court case will be required. If this occurs, we will walk you through every step to make you feel ready and comfortable.
In other instances, claims can be resolved conditionally. This enables you to pursue further compensation if your condition deteriorates in the future.
To know more about asbestos-related compensation claims, contact us today. We reply to your queries promptly.
Mostly, you have three years to initiate a claim from the time that you:
- Received a diagnosis of an asbestos disease
- Got to know that the death of a beloved family member happened due to asbestos exposure
This time frame is not measured from when the asbestos exposure took place. Since asbestos diseases can take many years to develop, it’s not unusual for the exposure to have occurred many years prior — perhaps with a company that has since dissolved or changed its name.
You can still be entitled to claim compensation if:
- You’re unsure when or where the exposure occurred
- It’s been decades —since the exposure took place
- The employer in question no longer exists
- You weren’t directly employed by the firm suspected of causing the illness
- You’ve already claimed for an initial condition which was less severe, but your health has deteriorated
- Your family member had started a claim before their death, and you want to pursue it
If you are confused about whether you can claim or not, please feel free to contact us on 0800 970 2727. At Claim Time Solicitors, we provide free initial advice and guidance as we understand how difficult and testing these times can get.
There are several options available to help cover the costs of pursuing your claim, including:
- Conditional Fee Agreement (No Win, No Fee): This common funding method means you won’t pay any legal fees unless your claim is successful.
- Legal Expenses Insurance: Some household or car insurance policies include legal expenses coverage, which can help with the legal costs.
- Trade Union Support: If you’re a trade union member, they may offer assistance for certain legal matters.
At Claim Time Solicitors, we guide you through these options to find the most suitable funding method for your situation. Our aim is to ensure the well-being of our clients at all times. We also make sure that there is no confusion at any stage and that the process is as smooth as possible.
FAQs
The amount of compensation one is likely to receive will depend on various circumstances and the nature of your asbestos-related disease. There are many factors taken into consideration when determining the compensation amount, including:
- The severity of your condition
- The impact it had on your life
- Financial Losses
- The cost of treatment and care
- If you’ve lost a partner or family member to an asbestos-related disease, you might be entitled to compensation for your own financial reliance upon them, for example, their earnings and the help they did with household jobs like DIY work or gardening.
The below-mentioned individuals might be able to claim as dependants:
- A widow or widower
- A partner who had lived with the deceased for at least two years
- Children who were financially dependent on the deceased
Our asbestos solicitors have extensive experience in determining compensation that takes into account your current needs as well as your future requirements. To arrange a free initial consultation regarding your case, call us at 0800 970 2727 or fill in our online form. We are happy to help.
If you’re considering making a claim for an asbestos disease, you won’t have to pay for any initial legal costs. The majority of asbestos claims are processed on a No Win, No Fee arrangement, which means you only have to pay if your case is successful.
If your claim is successful, the award will vary depending on the nature of the illness you’re claiming for:
- Mesothelioma claims: You will get 100% of your award with no deductions.
- Asbestosis, asbestos-related lung cancer, pleural thickening, and pleural plaque claims: Under the law, part of your award will go towards legal costs.
This is because, in 2012, the UK government decided that mesothelioma cases should be dealt differently because of the severity of the disease.
If you have any questions regarding Asbestos Compensation Claims, our personal injury solicitors are here to explain the process in detail. For further information, please get in touch with us.
