Asbestosis FAQs
Q. What is asbestosis?
Asbestosis is a type of lung disease in which damage and scarring is caused by breathing in asbestos fibres. Asbestosis can make it harder to breathe especially during exercise and some people also suffer with a cough. Our experienced solicitors can win you compensation, if you are suffering from an asbestos related condition. Speak to us now.
Q. How will my claim be valued?
We will arrange for a medical expert to prepare a report relating to your condition. Our solicitors will then use this report along with case law and judicial guidelines to value your claim.
Q. How will my claim be funded?
Our experienced solicitors can win you compensation, if you are suffering from an asbestos related condition. Speak to us now. You may have legal expenses insurance under an existing insurance policy which may entitle you to free representation with us. If you do not have legal expenses insurance, your claim may be funded on a “no win no fee basis”. Please feel free to contact our specialist industrial disease team who will be happy to discuss this further with you.
Q. The company I worked for is no longer in business, can I still make a claim?
Our experienced solicitors can win you compensation, if you are suffering from an asbestos related condition. Speak to us now. We will take as much detail as possible from you in relation to your employer and will investigate their position. From 1972 all employers were required by law to have employers liability insurance, although many companies had insurance prior to this date. If the company is no longer trading we will endeavour to trace their employer liability insurers and providing that we are able to do so and your claim is successful, it will be the insurers who will pay any compensation to you.
Q. What happens if someone starts and claim and then dies before settlement is reached?
Our experienced solicitors can win you compensation, if you are suffering from an asbestos related condition. Speak to us now. Where the victim dies before the conclusion of the claim, the claim does not die with them. The claim will continue on behalf of the victims’ estate.
Q. My husband has died and it has been confirmed that his death was due to an asbestos related disease, can I bring a claim?
Yes. Our experienced solicitors can win you compensation, if you are suffering from an asbestos related condition. Speak to us now.
Q. How long will the case take?
Our experienced solicitors can win you compensation, if you are suffering from an asbestos related condition. Speak to us now. We know that this is a sensitive and distressing time and we will endeavour to conclude your claim as quickly as possible. In relation to mesothelioma cases we follow a fast track system designed specifically for cases of this nature and would therefore hope to successfully conclude your claim within one year. In relation to claims for other asbestos related diseases it is impossible to provide an estimate without being aware of the details of each specific case. Once we have all of the details we will do our best to provide you with an estimate as to the length of the claim and as the matter progresses and we obtain further information we will provide you with regular updates as to the estimated length of your claim.
Q. I get breathless when walking any distance or uphill. Sometimes I think it’s just my advancing year, but other times I’m concerned because I worked with asbestos many years ago. What should I do?
If you are concerned, you should have an X-ray or a CT scan. This is the first – and often last – step to diagnosis and will hopefully put your mind at rest. However, if an asbestos condition is identified it is essential that you speak to our specialist solicitors as soon as possible. This is because there are times periods for making claims, and claims can be substantial, and we can fast track claims for you.
Q. I haven’t worked with asbestos for many years – surely any illness would have happened before now?
Asbestos illness can take up to 50 years to develop, although the average time is 20 to 30 years. The risks of getting an asbestos illness increases with the amount of asbestos that you have been in contact. If however, you have been recently diagnosed with an asbestos disease, our highly experienced lawyers are here to win you compensation. Speak to us now.
Q. You read so much in the press about asbestos illnesses – should I be worried?
Some asbestos conditions do not cause injury, such as pleural plaques. However, other asbestos conditions can be fatal, such as the asbestos cancer mesothelioma. If you are suffering from any of the following:
- Mesothelioma
- Asbestosis
- Pleural Thickening
- Asbestos Lung Cancer
Our experienced lawyers who specialise in the above diseases will recover the compensation for you.
Q. I have been diagnosed with an asbestos condition but the company I worked for is no longer trading. What are my options?
Speak to our lawyers who specialise in asbestos cases. We can take on your compensation claim with expert knowledge. It is possible to trace the insurers of the company, in which case you can obtain payment. In addition, we can help you to access a benefits scheme that includes a lump sum payment from the government if your old employer is no longer trading. Moreover, from January 2014, insurers must set up a, ‘fund of last resort,’ to pay asbestos cancer victims (mesothelioma sufferers) who cannot find insurers.
Asbestos Lung Cancer FAQs
Q. What is asbestos lung cancer?
Lung cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer. Lung cancer is the result of an uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells and can be caused by asbestos exposure. Lung cancer usually develops slowly and in its early stages can often be asymptomatic. Our experienced solicitors can win you compensation, if you are suffering from an asbestos related condition. Speak to us now.
Mesothelioma FAQs
Q. What is mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer which affects the lungs. The main cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos many years in the past. Our experienced solicitors can win you compensation, if you are suffering from Mesothelioma. Speak to us now to fast track your claim. We are specialists in recovering fast track claims.
Pleural Plaques FAQs
Q. What are pleural plaques?
Pleural plaques are areas of scar tissue on the pleura (the membrane which surrounds the lungs and lines the inside of the rib cage). In virtually all instances of pleural plaques there are no symptoms and most people with pleural plaques have no long term health problems. It is not possible to bring a claim for pleural plaques alone. However, our experienced solicitors can win you compensation if you were exposed in Scotland, if you are suffering from an asbestos related condition. Speak to us now.
Pleural Thickening FAQs
Q. What is pleural thickening?
Pleural thickening is a lung disease which results in calcification, scarring or thickening of the pleura (lining of the lung). This is different to pleural plaques as the disease extends over a large area of the pleura and may therefore restrict expansion of the lungs making it difficult to breathe. Our experienced solicitors can win you compensation, if you are suffering from an asbestos related condition. Speak to us now.