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What is asbestosis?

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:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Persistent cough
  • Wheezing
  • Extreme tiredness (fatigue)
  • Pain in the chest or shoulder
  • In more advanced cases, swollen fingertips

Complications of asbestosis:

People with asbestosis also have a higher risk of developing other serious conditions, such as:

  • pleural thickening
  • mesothelioma
  • lung cancer

We have helped recover over £77 million in compensation since 2005 for those with asbestos related diseases. Get in touch to make your claim today.

Available benefits

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. We are happy to put you in touch with a charity who can assist you in making any appropriate applications.

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.

Asbestos exposure

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.

Is compensation for asbestosis available?

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.

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How much will it cost to bring a 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”).

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What should you do next?

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 :

  1. Obtain a medical report stating that you are suffering from an asbestos-related disease. This report needs to be produced by a reputed respiratory disease expert who is accustomed to producing medicolegal reports for the court (not just any medical professional)
  2. Establish the exposure to asbestos occurred at a specific workplace or due to proximity to a particular asbestos-related industry.
  3. Demonstrate that your employer (or other defendant) was aware of the risks and could have foreseen that there was a high probability that you could develop symptoms of asbestos-related disease. This should not be too difficult to prove since a lot of types of asbestos have been under restrictions since the 1970s, the last type was banned in 1999.
  4. Prove that the defendant failed to follow regulations around the use of asbestos either by not informing you about the dangers or by not providing the correct training or equipment.

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.

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Contact us today

  • No upfront costs & no win, no fee
  • Accredited legal experts
  • Help accessing rehabilitation
  • Free & no obligation initial advice

Call us free 0800 124 4845

Call our specialist legal teams Monday - Friday, 9:00 - 17.30 for free, no obligation advice.

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  • No upfront costs & no win, no fee
  • Expert rehabilitation help
  • Free & no obligation initial advice

Meet your specialist team

Our specialist Asbestosis compensation claims team are considered leaders in the field and have a significant amount of expertise.
Laura Magson

Laura Magson

Partner

Kim Milan

Kim Milan

Senior Partner

Melloney Harbutt headshot

Melloney Harbutt

Senior associate - solicitor

Martin Anderson

Martin Anderson

Associate Solicitor

Roshni Patel photo

Roshni Patel

Paralegal

Laura Magson
Kim Milan
Melloney Harbutt headshot
Martin Anderson
Roshni Patel photo

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Awards & Accreditations

Our teams have been nationally recognised over the past decade for their dedication and commitment to securing maximum compensation for our clients

             Brake | The Road Safety Charity

"Industrial Diseases Team Boyes Turner LLP"

I am writing this review on behalf of my husband Colin Wyeth and myself.

We were advised by Colin’s Consultant to get a solicitor for Industrial Injuries as he was diagnosed with mesothelioma, however, this was a rare presentation of mesothelioma and so underwent two big operations at Guys Hospital in London.
The first operation was October 2019 after which he made a good recovery and was monitored with 6 monthly CT scans, unfortunately the scan showed a reappearance of the mesothelioma (in the lining of the lung) in 2021 and was admitted to Guys Hospital again in May 2021. He is now being called for scans every 2 months.

We contacted Laura Magson and her team at Boyes Turner LLP in 2019 right at the beginning of this awful diagnosis and I have to say we could not have chosen a better team, they have been absolutely brilliant from start to finish of our case delivering an outstanding result and award.
Throughout this case they have been kind, patient and considerate whilst gathering all the information needed to present Colin’s case at court which was a mammoth task going back 50 odd years. Laura, I have to say has gone above and beyond, so thorough and professional whilst being so kind and patient during this unusual case.

Boyes Turner Client

"Patient Result"

When I was first advised that I should make a claim for my industrial injury. I wasn’t convinced that after such a long period of time it would be possible to fine out how or where I had been exposed to Asbestos. However, Boyes Turner representative Laura Magson and her team made the process straight forward and easy to understand.

Boyes Turner Client

"We feel as though we have made a good friend."

Laura Magson was superb in all the dealings with this claim from start to finish. She was professional, friendly and extremely helpful in keeping in touch regularly through a very difficult situation for my wife and l. We feel as though we have made a good friend.


The outcome was as she had hoped for us after negotiating herself through what could be termed as a minefield! One to be highly recommended, well done Laura and thank you so much.

James

"Asbestosis Claim"

Martin Anderson was professional, friendly, knowledgable and has the patience of a saint in our dealings with this claim from start to finish. He remained in regular contact throughout the claim and provide a fantastic service, would highly recommend.
 

Jo

"Compassionate, explanatory and efficient."

Laura's service has been perfect. Compassionate, explanatory and efficient. It made what was a difficult set of corcumstance, much easier to deal with. A great outcome - a monetary amount we weren't expecting, and very quick.

Barry
Rated Excellent 4.8/5