Asbestos Claims
If you or a member of your family has developed an industrial illness caused by exposure to asbestos, you may be eligible to make an…
Read moreMesothelioma compensation claims
If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure at work, you could be entitled to make a mesothelioma compensation claim.
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Using asbestos in any buildings, production or manufacturing processes is now illegal in the UK. However, it was widely used throughout the last century in various products and industries due to its heat resistance and insulation properties. Inhaling asbestos dust and fibres can cause numerous health problems, including mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is responsible for less than 1% of all cancers diagnosed in the UK. However, the number of people currently diagnosed with the disease is worryingly high, at over 2,600 cases per year. It is expected that this number will rise in the coming decades, as symptoms of the condition can present themselves many years after exposure.
With that in mind, if you have been diagnosed with the disease and it can be proven that your current or previous employer was liable for the condition, you should be eligible to make a mesothelioma claim. To find out if you have a valid case, call 0800 470 0474 today or enter your details into our online claim form to receive a call back.
By submitting this form you agree to be contacted by our partners. Find out how we handle your data in our privacy policy. With no win no fee you typically pay 25% of your compensation if your claim is successful, but the fee can vary. Termination fees may apply if you fail to co-operate with your solicitor.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you might be entitled to compensation for the pain and suffering caused. A free case assessment with an experienced mesothelioma solicitor can let you know if your case has merit and your legal options. Usually, a claim should be possible if:
If you are unsure how you were exposed to asbestos, it is still worth seeking legal advice. Your solicitor will look at your employment history and other circumstances and may be able to track down the responsible party.
You could also start a wrongful death claim on behalf of a loved one who passed away due to the disease. You can claim if you relied on the deceased’s income or the services they provided in the household. Mesothelioma compensation for family members can also help cover the cost of funeral expenses and financial losses incurred by your loved one before their death.
The process for making a mesothelioma claim will typically follows these steps:
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that can affect the lining of the lungs, the heart, the abdomen or the testicles. It is almost always due to asbestos exposure, a group of naturally occurring minerals used throughout the 20th century in many industries due to their heat resistance and insulating properties. The risks associated with asbestos exposure were overlooked for decades until it was finally banned in 1999.
Workers in some industries are at higher risk of developing mesothelioma or other types of asbestos-related diseases. These include construction and industrial workers, electricians, plumbers, miners and insulators.
When asbestos materials are disturbed or damaged, tiny fibres are released into the air and can be inhaled or swallowed. These can become lodged in the lining of organs, leading to irritation, inflammation, and scarring and eventually cause cancer. Unfortunately, because mesothelioma presents symptoms many years or decades after exposure, diagnoses are often terminal.
There are various types of mesothelioma, and they include:
Regardless of what type of illness you were diagnosed with, if it was due to someone else’s negligence, you might be able to make a mesothelioma claim. If your solicitor can assess liability, you can recover compensation for the pain, suffering and related financial losses caused by your disease.
Symptoms of mesothelioma can vary depending on the type and stage of the disease. Here are some common symptoms associated with it:
If you have any signs or symptoms that worry you, you should see your doctor as soon as possible. If your condition is related to asbestos exposure, speak to a mesothelioma solicitor by calling free on 0800 470 0474. They can let you know whether you have a valid compensation claim and answer any questions you may have.
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the protective lining of several organs like the heart, lungs or abdomen. According to Cancer Research UK, around 2,700 new cases are diagnosed in the UK each year, with around 2,400 deaths. Unfortunately, there is no cure, and only 2 in 100 sufferers will survive their disease for ten years or more.
The diagnosis of mesothelioma typically involves several steps:
Although there is no cure for the disease, several treatments are available to help ease suffering, such as:
The treatment plan for mesothelioma depends on the stage of the cancer and your overall health. Early detection and prompt treatment can help improve the prognosis and enhance your quality of life.
The only cause of mesothelioma is exposure to harmful asbestos fibres, which can happen in three main ways:
People who work in industries where asbestos was used regularly are at the highest risk of developing mesothelioma. Some of the most common occupations that solicitors see in claims for mesothelioma compensation include:
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and it can be proven that liability lies with another party, such as an employer, you will likely be eligible to claim compensation.
Contact an experienced mesothelioma lawyer for a no-obligation and free discussion of your case. They will confirm if you have a valid personal injury claim, explain the process involved and answer any questions that you may have.
The risks of asbestos exposure have been known since the beginning of the 20th century. Since 1931, more and more regulations were introduced to protect the health and safety of employees working with the mineral. The Health and Safety Executive published the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, which outline the legal duties of employers.
If you worked with asbestos, your employer should have:
When employers fail to follow these and other safety procedures, there can be tragic consequences for workers and their families. If you or a loved one have suffered due to your employer’s negligence, an experienced solicitor could help you make a mesothelioma compensation claim.
If your previous employer cannot be found, you may still be able to claim mesothelioma compensation. Since 1972, it has been a legal requirement for companies to have Employers’ Liability (EL) insurance to cover personal injuries to employees. If your former employer has gone out of business, your solicitor will claim against their former insurer.
The Employers’ Liability Tracing Office (ELTO) is an independent non-profit organisation that gives claimants access to their employer’s insurance information. Your solicitor will use their platform and records from Companies House to track down their former insurer and make sure you get the compensation you deserve.
If both your former employer and their insurer are untraceable (i.e. they have both gone out of business), you cannot proceed with a mesothelioma claim. However, the government pays several benefits to mesothelioma sufferers that you may be able to claim, such as the Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) and others detailed in the section below.
The amount of compensation awarded for a mesothelioma claim can vary significantly from one case to another. It will depend upon the severity of your condition, its impact on your life, and your prognosis. Generally speaking, the more severe the illness and its consequences, the greater the compensation will likely be.
Compensation for personal injury and illness is determined by referring to the Judicial Studies Board (JSB) Guidelines. There is also legislation, such as the Pneumoconiosis Etc. (Workers’ Compensation) Act 1979 and the Diffuse Mesothelioma 2018 Scheme, which also offers lump sum payments to mesothelioma sufferers. Based on the Judicial College guidelines, you could receive between £65,710 and £118,150 for the pain, suffering and loss of amenities caused by mesothelioma.
Compensation will also take into account any financial losses that have been caused as a result of your illness. If you make a successful claim, your solicitor could secure damages that cover the following:
Besides claiming compensation from your former employer, there are several other ways to get financial help if you were diagnosed with mesothelioma. These include:
A mesothelioma lawyer can let you know if you may be eligible for these or other benefits, such as Constant Attendance Allowance (CAA) or Personal Independence Payment (PIP). For a free consultation, do not hesitate to enter your details into our online claim form or call 0800 470 0474 today.
Mesothelioma is a rare form of lung cancer that often takes decades to develop after the initial asbestos exposure. If you or a loved one was diagnosed with the condition and want to claim mesothelioma compensation, you should keep in mind there are strict time limits for starting legal proceedings.
According to the Limitation Act 1980, you have three years to start a claim from when you were first diagnosed. That means the time limit begins on the date of knowledge of your illness, and it does not matter when you were exposed to the harmful mineral fibres. In exceptional cases, the court has the power to extend the time limit based on:
Different time limits may apply to some mesothelioma compensation claims:
Nonetheless, you should contact a specialist mesothelioma solicitor as soon as you receive your diagnosis. That will generally make it easier for your solicitor to gather the evidence needed to support your case and work to secure interim payments on your behalf.
Each case is unique, and your specific circumstances will determine how quickly you may receive your compensation. However, due to the nature and complexity of a mesothelioma diagnosis, these claims will usually take at least 1-2 years to conclude. Even if the final settlement takes longer, receiving an interim payment at an early stage in the claims process is often possible.
The time it takes for a mesothelioma claim to conclude depends on several aspects, such as the complexity of the case and the severity of your condition. Some key factors that can impact the duration of your case include:
To speed up the claims process, you should seek legal advice as soon as possible and document everything related to your disease in detail. That will make it easier for your mesothelioma solicitor to understand what happened and settle your claim promptly.
If your loved one is too sick to start a mesothelioma compensation claim, you could conduct legal proceedings on their behalf. You may also be able to represent them if they suffer from another incapacitating condition, such as a mental health disorder or neurodegenerative disease. To claim on their behalf, you must apply to the court to be appointed as their litigation friend.
A mesothelioma lawyer can help you fill in and file the necessary forms. Before appointing you, the court will verify whether you can conduct legal proceedings fairly and competently and that you have no conflict of interest with the victim. Once you become a litigation friend, you will have several responsibilities, such as:
You could also make a wrongful death claim if you lost a loved one due to mesothelioma. Under the Fatal Accidents Act 1976, any dependent of the deceased could start a legal case, including their spouse, parents, children and siblings. In this case, you may be able to claim compensation for:
A limited number of family members, including spouses, civil partners and parents of unmarried children, can also claim bereavement damages. The current bereavement award stands at £15,120 and must be divided equally between the eligible claimants.
If you do have a valid case, an experienced mesothelioma lawyer will be able to provide you with a 100% no win no fee* service. That means there are no upfront costs, and if they cannot win your case, you will not pay a penny. Some other benefits of using this type of arrangement include:
Knowing that your solicitor is working on a no win no fee basis can ease some of the stress associated with claiming mesothelioma compensation. They will handle all the legal matters while you can focus on your recovery.
Your solicitor will also purchase After the Event (ATE) insurance before starting legal proceedings. The ATE is self-insuring, and you only pay the cost of the premium if and after receiving compensation. This type of insurance policy provides coverage for the legal costs and disbursements incurred during claiming, such as:
To find out if you may have a valid mesothelioma claim, call 0800 470 0474 or request a call back to receive your free case assessment. As there are strict time limits for making a claim, you must seek legal advice following your diagnosis as soon as possible to ensure you don’t miss out.