Asbestosis compensation

Asbestosis compensation

asbestosis compensation claim

Illnesses caused by asbestos are often serious and can be life threatening. Accident Injury Line uses specialist asbestos lawyers who will help you file your asbestos claim and advise you about additional benefits you may be entitled to. If you have been diagnosed with Asbestosis within the last three years, our expert solicitors may be able to help you recover compensation which is rightfully yours.

Asbestos was widely used because it was non-flammable, flexible, virtually indestructible and low heat-conducting. It was considered to be perfect for use in insulation, brake linings, and cement and fire-proofing. Although asbestos was very useful, it was very dangerous too. Asbestos is made up of millions of fibres which when inhaled into the lungs is very dangerous. The environmental exposure levels do not necessarily cause asbestos related illnesses. It is the occupational exposure which is most dangerous. If asbestos materials are broken or disturbed the asbestos fibres enter the lungs and cannot be expelled adequately. They perforate and scar the lung tissue. The condition can take many years (up to 50 years) to develop after first exposure. By then the person or employer who you need to make a claim against may no longer be alive or in business. Pursuing these claims is complicated and is best dealt with by an experienced personal injury solicitor as it is often necessary to try and locate the relevant insurers at the time of exposure.

Asbestosis is defined as lung fibrosis and is caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibres. To assess whether you have asbestosis your consultant will look at clinical features, X-ray appearances and will also analyse your history of heavy asbestos exposure which generally leads to asbestosis.

Who can claim for an asbestos conditions?

Because asbestos has been so widely used, generally anyone who can establish that the company who exposed someone to asbestos dust knew or should have known of the dangers, can claim. If your spouse or partner was exposed to asbestos through their working conditions and brought home their clothing to be washed, you may be entitled to make a personal injury claim if you have suffered an Asbestos related disease as a result. It is now accepted that second hand exposure, through cleaning and handling a partner's work clothes for example, can also cause these illnesses.

Types of Asbestos Claims

We have many asbestos claim legal experts across the UK ready to help you. Whatever type of asbestos you are suffering from, we can advise you whether you can make a legal claim, how much compensation you are likely to receive, and also whether there is any treatment available for you.

Exposure to asbestos can result in many different illnesses. The main ones and their synptoms are categorised below.

  • Asbestos-related illnesses
  • Asbestosis
  • Mesothelioma
  • Pleural thickening
  • Lung cancer

Asbestosis

In the vast majority of cases, asbestosis develop after several years of inhaling asbestos dust and fibres. The dust enters the narrow tubes leading to the lungs and causes scarring and thickening, known as Fibrosis. In turn, the Fibrosis can cause the lungs to lose some of their elasticity and not function properly. The condition generally only develops if you inhale a significant amount of dust over several months. It is a condition with develops in the lungs tissue as opposed to the lining of the lungs since the asbestos fibres actually penetrate the lung tissue and stay in the lungs. The symptoms of asbestosis can vary greatly from person to person. People may experience breathing difficulties and chest pains while others may suffer no symptoms but die of respiratory failure. The main point to remember is that the earlier asbestosis is diagnosed, the better the condition can be monitored. X-Rays, scans and lung-function tests can diagnose Asbestosis and monitor its progression.

Mesothelioma Claims

Mesothelioma is a tumour, normally in the lining of the lungs, which is fatal. It is caused by contact with asbestos. Mesothelioma can develop even if you weren’t in contact with asbestos often or for very long.

If you have been diagnosed with Mesothelioma within the last three years, our expert solicitors may be able to help you recover compensation which is rightfully yours. Mesothelioma is a form of cancer which is nearly always caused by occupational exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma is a specific disease caused by asbestos and is a thickening of the lining of the lungs (the pleura). It develops into a tumour in the pleura (the lining of the lungs) and can grow into the stomach. Symptoms usually include breathlessness, check and back pain, wheezing and coughing, loss of appetite and weight loss lungs. There is usually a build up of fluid (called a pleural effusion) and this may need to be removed with surgery called pleurodesis. If you or someone you know has Mesothelioma, it is important that they seek the immediate assistance of a 1stclaims.co.uk solicitor so that steps can be taken to quantify the claim or bring the claim to court as soon as possible so that money is made available during the lifetime of the injured party. It is also important to obtain as much information as possible as soon as possible. It is important to be aware that you have 3 years from the date when you are aware of your condition or that it was associated with exposure to asbestos in which to ensure that court proceedings are issued. If the person has unfortunately died, the estate have 3 years from the date of the death in which to ensure that court proceedings are issued. The disease can appear between ten and fifty years after being in contact with asbestos. It is very serious and normally causes chest pain and shortness of breath which gets worse. It is diagnosed using x-ray, CAT scan, biopsy and other lung tests. There isn’t any cure.

Lung Cancer

Lung Cancer is most commonly associated with smoking cigarettes; however, it can also be caused by inhaling asbestos dust. Even if a person smoked and was diagnosed with lung cancer, it does not necessarily mean that the condition was purely due to smoking, if there is evidence of asbestos in the lungs. Lung cancer can develop following contact with asbestos, particularly if the sufferer was also a smoker.

To make a successful claim for asbestos-induced lung cancer; however, you would need to prove that you were exposed to asbestos by an employer in the past and that asbestos rather than smoking was the cause of your lung cancer. This should be easily proven by medical tests and scans and a personal injury solicitor should be able to carry out the majority of the work for you including tracing your ex-employer.

If you have been diagnosed with lung cancer and think it was caused by contact with asbestos, Accident Injury Line can help. We use lawyers who are experts in making lung cancer claims.