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Having never taken legal action before, I found Boyes Turner very helpful and diligent during my injury claim. When I moved to the USA during the case, they were still able to answer all of my concerns and keep me informed, giving me advice every step of the way. I would recommend Boyes Turner to anyone who is considering representation
Excluding mesothelioma, there is no particular type of lung cancer which is exclusively caused by exposure to asbestos dust. Both small cell lung cancer and non-small lung cancer can be caused or contributed to by exposure to asbestos dust.
Even if you were a smoker, it is possible that asbestos exposure has contributed to your lung cancer. This is because the risk of developing lung cancer increases in direct proportion to the level of your exposure to asbestos dust.
There is no clinical means of distinguishing between lung cancer caused by asbestos and lung cancer caused by smoking. However, there is clear evidence that if you have a 5% risk of developing lung cancer as a result of asbestos exposure and a 10% risk as a result of smoking, your combined risk of developing lung cancer is 50%.
People who have lung cancer and asbestosis or who have lung cancer and have worked with asbestos in certain high risk jobs may also be entitled to apply for Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit for asbestos related lung cancer. The specific jobs include:
Pneumoconiosis etc (Workers’ Compensation) Act 1979
An application for a lump sum payment under the Pneumoconiosis etc (Workers’ Compensation) Act 1979 can also be made where there is a diagnosis of primary lung cancer together with asbestosis or bilateral diffuse pleural thickening and provided that the lung cancer and accompanying condition was caused by employment. A lump sum payment can only be made where compensation from a civil claim in respect of the disease has not already been received and provided that Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit has been awarded. The award is generally made where the employer has ceased trading. An application can also be made by a dependant within 12 months of death where a diagnosis of lung cancer with asbestosis or bilateral diffuse pleural thickening was given.
We can assist you in the process of applying for benefits. Please contact us at IDClaims@boyesturner.com or call 0800 884 0718 for assistance.
The presence of other asbestos related diseases such as asbestosis, asbestos related pleural plaques or asbestos related diffuse pleural thickening can indicate that the lung cancer has been caused, or contributed to, by exposure to asbestos dust.
Historically, it was presumed that lung cancer could not be caused, or contributed to, by asbestos exposure unless asbestosis was also present. However, research has confirmed that asbestos related lung cancer can occur without the presence of asbestosis.
Whether or not your lung cancer can be attributed to asbestos exposure will also depend upon the level of your exposure to asbestos dust. In order to be able to pursue a claim for compensation for asbestos related lung cancer you must be able to show very heavy exposure to asbestos dust.
The criteria used in assessing whether exposure to asbestos dust has caused the lung cancer are known as the Helsinki criteria. It is widely accepted under the criteria that exposure to asbestos dust to the level of 25 fibre/ml years must have occurred for asbestos related lung cancer. This is the equivalent of approximately 1 years heavy exposure to asbestos dust, as for example an asbestos lagger, or 5 to 10 years of more moderate exposure to asbestos dust, as for example a carpenter cutting asbestos sheets.
This will vary from case to case and will depend on the injuries you have suffered, the medical treatment that you may require and any losses incurred.
The claim amount may be made up of the following:
It should be borne in mind that where you have also been a smoker, then there will be a deduction to your compensation to reflect the fact that your smoking has also contributed to the lung cancer.
An initial interview is always provided free of charge. At that meeting we will discuss how to fund the claim. We have a number of funding options available, all of which ensure you will have nothing to pay if your case is unsuccessful. In the majority of cases, we can act under a Conditional Fee Agreement (‘no win, no fee’).
We are happy to discuss the possibility of bringing a claim, without any obligations to take matters further. This is also the case for the families who have lost loved ones due to asbestos related cancer. The claim can be brought by the Personal Representative of the Estate.
We are also able to assist in making applications for benefits.
We have many years of experience. Read our case studies to find out how we have helped others.
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For people with an asbestos related disease, there is usually no problem in bringing a claim, even though the exposure occurred a long time ago. This is because you have three years from the date it can reasonably have been expected that you “knew or ought to have known” that your condition may be associated with your asbestos exposure, within which to issue court proceedings.
If someone dies within three years of this date then the personal Will representative for the estate has three years from the date of death within which to issue court proceedings. However, there are some circumstances where exceptions can be made, so please do contact us so that we can advise you appropriately.
We are happy to discuss the possibility of bringing a claim, without any obligation to take matters further.
In addition to understanding how the asbestos related diagnosis came about and the impact of that diagnosis, we will ask for information about how you or your loved one came into contact with asbestos so we can start to assess your potential claim.
Even if you haven’t worked directly with asbestos or cannot recall the circumstances of your asbestos exposure then still get in touch with us as it may well be that, after careful questioning, it becomes apparent where and when your exposure to asbestos is likely to have occurred. We have an extensive database of statements and documents involving many UK employers and companies.
Where asbestos is considered to have potentially played a part in a death, it is important that the local coroner is notified of the death and that a post-mortem takes place. We can advise on this process. An initial interview is always provided free of charge. At that meeting we will discuss how to fund the claim. In the majority of cases, we can act under a Conditional Fee Agreement (‘no win, no fee’).
It is possible to make an asbestos claim on behalf of a loved one who has died as a result of an asbestos-related disease.
You may be entitled to claim if you were the spouse or child of someone who lost their life to this disease, or if you were financially dependent on them. The claim is brought by the personal representative of the estate.
To make a compensation claim in these cases, you must start your claim within three years of the date of death or at the point at which a post-mortem reveals that the death was caused by asbestos exposure.
The company where you worked at the time of your asbestos exposure, or the defendant company, is liable to pay your compensation. However, due to the latency period of asbestos in the body, a lot of companies have ceased trading once a claim is relevant.
If your former employer has gone out of business, you could still make a claim. The company is likely to have been insured to deal with claims such as this, so it will be the insurer’s responsibility to meet the compensation claim.
In cases where the companies have gone out of business and the insurers are untraceable there are benefits and in some cases, lump sums, set up to compensate those diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases.
It may be that you did not come into contact with asbestos through your work. We also act for people who contracted mesothelioma through washing a loved one’s overalls, by living near to an asbestos factory or by attending a school where asbestos was disturbed.
We may also be able to bring a claim on behalf of those who believe they were exposed to asbestos whilst they were self-employed.
This will vary from case to case and will depend on the type of disease you are suffering from, the medical treatment that you may require and any losses incurred.
There are various Government benefits available for those diagnosed with an asbestos related condition, including the following:
For mesothelioma:
For asbestos related lung cancer:
For benign asbestos related diseases (asbestosis and asbestos-related diffuse pleural thickening):
We are happy to advise or assist you in making any appropriate applications
A lot of types of asbestos have been under restrictions since the 1970s, the last type was banned in 1999. It is therefore possible to have been exposed to asbestos whilst working on buildings that were built or refurbished before 2000 and in many other professions, we see a large number of former laggers’ or plumbers who have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease after exposure at work.
Guidance regulations were introduced in 1970 on the use of asbestos in the workplace. These days, employers must follow strict rules set out by the Health and Safety Executive. They should:
If your employer failed to follow regulations around the use of asbestos and you later developed an asbestos-related illness, you could be entitled to compensation.
Our highly experienced mesothelioma and asbestos claims solicitors are recognised by Legal 500 and Chambers as experts in handling asbestos related claims.
Whilst we cannot guarantee that any particular claim will settle out of court, we take great care in investigating and preparing each claim that we take on. Our clients’ claims usually settle successfully without the need for a contested trial.
Even in non-contested cases, there will be occasions when the case is brought for shorter hearings before the court. In these cases, the lawyers for both sides present the agreed settlement to the court for the judge’s approval.
There is no bar to bringing a claim in the UK if you have been exposed to asbestos in the UK but you are now living abroad.
We act for many clients who have chosen to move abroad including those living in Australia, Gibraltar, New Zealand, Spain and Thailand.
If you are suffering from an asbestos related disease or condition and may have been exposed to asbestos whilst working in the UK, or for a UK based or owned company, you may be entitled to claim compensation.
Apr 2020
Mar 2020
Our teams have been nationally recognised over the past decade for their dedication and commitment to securing maximum compensation for our clients
Our clients constantly recognize us as the most experienced, professional, efficient and supportive
I would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to you and your team for all your hard work, passion, dedication and professionalism which resulted in my successful claim.It has been a long battle but we got there in the end. Whatever happens in the future I now have the financial security that I deserve for myself and my family. I can now focus on my health and happiness.
Laura's handling of my Father's case has been excellent. She gave us every confidence in her from the moment of the first telephone conversation through to the conclusion of a successful claim· and beyond. The care and compassion·-she has· shown to my parents through the most difficult time of their lives has been incredible. Friendly, warm and professional throughout, Laura expedited Dad's case against his former employer to a successful conclusion within 5 months. Giving my parents peace of mind that they are financially secure and Dad can pursue further treatment options if he wishes, which will be funded by the former employer.aura explained everything to us as a family and made the process as simple as it could possibly be. She held our hands (figuratively), explaining, guiding and answering all of our questions, communication throughout was superb. The excellent support and service provided by Laura and her team wasn't held up or interrupted in any way, even through the difficult months of the Covid-19 Lockdown. Laura has been a pleasure to deal with. We will be forever grateful that Laura agreed to take on my Father's case.
Just wanted to write to let you know just how much I appreciate all the work you have put into my case since you took over. I am now looking forward to being able to try and put all this behind me. I am more than happy at the way that this has finished and I am glad that I came to your firm as if it was not for your help I would not have gained this result. You have changed my life for the better.
I must say we were both staggered at not only succeeding in a claim of any sort (as you know I never did believe I had a snowball’s chance in hell), and that the amount you have obtained on my behalf. We cannot thank you enough.
May I take this opportunity to thank you for your support with my case. My family and I are very pleased with the outcome and without your efforts we would not have been successful. Over the months I feel we have gained a mutual friendship and I fully appreciate all your support on both a professional and a personal basis. It has made a significant difference.
