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Boyes Turner were professional, helpful and responsive in all of my dealings with them. They kept me informed throughout the entire process and gave me sound advice when required. I would recommend Boyes Turner to anyone who requires legal advice in the field of medical negligence. I was happy with my settlement and I am grateful for their work to achieve the end result
Asbestosis is a very specific condition that refers to fibrosis of the lungs caused from breathing in asbestos fibres over many years. The term asbestosis is often misused to describe almost any asbestos related condition which can be confusing.
It is usually individuals who have had significant exposure to asbestos, over several years, who go on to develop asbestosis. The effects normally appear 20 years or more after exposure. It can cause breathlessness and may become more severe over time.
Symptoms of asbestosis:
Complications of asbestosis:
People with asbestosis also have a higher risk of developing other serious conditions, such as:
We have helped recover over £3.5 million in compensation in the past 12 months for those with asbestos related diseases. Get in touch to make your claim today.
Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
If you have asbestosis and believe the disease was caused by your employment then you are entitled to apply for IIDB, a weekly payment from the government.
Pneumoconiosis etc (Workers Compensation) Act 1979
A lump sum payment under the Pneumoconiosis etc (Workers Compensation) Act 1979 can also be made where the asbestosis was caused by asbestos exposure at work. This is provided that no compensation from a civil claim in respect of the disease has already been received. The award is generally made where the employer has ceased trading and no insurer can be traced.
In order to prove a claim for asbestosis the history of asbestos exposure needs to be moderate to heavy for many years. An asbestosis claim can be proven where there is a work history of asbestos exposure, in general terms - 1 year of heavy exposure to asbestos or 5-10 years of moderate exposure. As a general rule the greater the level of exposure, the greater the extent of the asbestosis.
When someone is diagnosed with asbestosis then legal advice should be sought to consider if a claim for compensation can be made.
When there is a death as a result of asbestosis then it is important that the local coroner is notified and that a post mortem takes place. The lung tissue samples can be analysed for asbestos bodies which can, together with exposure history, prove an asbestosis claim. It is important that the tissue samples are preserved until the conclusion of the legal claim.
We provide an initial consultation free of charge. At that meeting we can discuss and agree together how to fund an asbestosis compensation claim. In the majority of cases, we can offer Conditional Fee Agreements (CFAs or “no win, no fee”).
In order to secure a successful claim, we will need to present evidence of asbestos exposure and the impact on your health as well as showing the failure by your employer (or company/other body if you weren’t employed) to protect you.
Below is a list of the steps we will take in an asbestosis case :
Asbestos related disease claims are one of the more complex and challenging areas of personal injury law. We have helped recover over £3.5 million in compensation in the past 12 months for those with asbestos related diseases.
The team has long standing relationships with many agencies and charities that help people with asbestos related diseases, and their families receive as much assistance and support as possible during a very difficult time.
Partner
Director
Senior associate - solicitor
Solicitor
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.
The claim amount may be made up of the following:
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.
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.Laura 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.
