Asbestos Compensation Claims & Automatic Government Pay Outs
How can we help you?
Asbestos Related Diseases
If you’ve been exposed to asbestos and developed an asbestos-related disease, at AmicusLaw we are here to support you in getting the compensation you deserve, trying to keep everything clear and straightforward for you.
If you have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease such as Mesothelioma, Asbestosis, Asbestos Lung Cancer, Pleural Thickening or Pleural Plaques (with respiratory symptoms), you may be able to make a claim and secure financial compensation from those responsible for the exposure, with your costs covered by the insurers of the responsible party, with no deductions from your compensation. You may also have an entitlement to one or more of the following; Government State Benefits – (lump sum payment and/or weekly payments for benefits such as Attendance Allowance), PIP (Personal Independence Payment), Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit), a Veteran’s Agency claim (if you previously served in the Armed Forces), a Civil Insurance claim or a claim through the Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme.
Our expert asbestos claims team are well versed in effectively navigating the legal complexities involved in these types of cases, providing you with reliable guidance and support throughout the entire process. With our closeknit team by your side, we offer a holistic wraparound service acknowledging the importance of supporting you during this challenging time. The cases require time, tenacity and past experience and sometimes this will make all the difference in whether or not your case will settle and also the amount you/your family will receive.
Our approach:
At AmicusLaw, Helen and the team have built an exceptional reputation for their work on a number of high-profile asbestos claims. Offering extensive knowledge and the utmost sensitivity through every stage of the claim process. Our goal is to make the legal experience as stress-free as possible, offering you detailed information and support whilst keeping you well informed every step of the way.
Why it's important to claim
The thought of making a claim against a long-term employer or a location you hold in high regard can be daunting, but with the severe consequences of Asbestos related diseases, it is essential that you do.
Types of ASBESTOS Respiratory ILLNESSES
- This can be following a lung biopsy or a clinical diagnosis as sometimes people are too poorly for a lung biopsy.
- This can be of the lining of the:
- lung (pleura) – this is by far the most common accounting for over 75% of cases,
- abdomen (peritoneal),
- heart (pericardial)
- testicular mesothelioma
- With a diagnosis of mesothelioma, sometimes the past exposure to asbestos dust can be low and the dust can of course be invisible and microscopic. You may not be aware of particular past exposures and so always get in touch and hear what we have to say on this and how we can best help you
- Mesothelioma is a “long tail” disease and so sometimes people have been exposed to low levels of asbestos dust around 30 or even 60 years ago. We have specialist knowledge and trained staff who can help you with this evidence. It is possible to have been exposed to asbestos just 10 years ago.
- There is an automatic Government Lump Sum available for this diagnosis
- We help people who were self employed
- We help people who were exposed through laundering their partner’s dusty work clothes and these are called “secondary exposure claims”
- We help families with fatal claims where they have lost a loved one to this condition within the last 3 years.
- It is possible for us to speak with your spouse or family member if you are too poorly, or do not feel up to getting involved in a legal claim at this stage.
- This can be any type of lung cancer and differs from mesothelioma as you would need to have had exposure to asbestos dust for at least one year. Often people have fairly moderate exposures over a 5 or 10 year period and this does not have to be consecutive years.
- A good example of one case is a plumber who ripped out old bathrooms in a large hotel during hotel refurbishments for over a year back in the 1970s. He did not realise that he would have been coming into contact with old asbestos string used on the old toilet cisterns and sinks, until he spoke with a specialist solicitor. He had an asbestos lung cancer claim.
- It does not matter if you smoke or have a past history of smoking as it is the combined effect of both the carcinogens from the smoking and the asbestos dust that put you at much greater risk of contracting lung cancer. For this reason the asbestos lung cancer claims are successful.
- This is non cancerous scar tissue on the lungs and is a lung disease caused by long term damage from asbestos fibres. These fibres are microscopic and so people do not realise they are breathing them in. Once inside your body the fibres are so strong, your body cannot get rid of them. They also cause damage to your lungs by irritating healthy lung tissue. The lungs get scarred and stiffen from this irritation over time
- People with asbestosis frequently have breathing problems
- Sometimes asbestosis can be confused with fibrosis which can appear similar on a CT scan, however, fibrosis tends to come on quickly and progress rapidly. Therefore asbestosis has a slower progression and sometimes pleural thickening and/or pleural plaques are also visible on the CT scan.
- These are benign conditions and show up on a chest X-ray or CT scan
- Pleural Plaques are a chalky calcium based material that builds upon the lining of the lungs and is often indicative of heavy past asbestos exposure. The disease typically has no physical symptoms and does not require treatment. Compensation for this condition was prohibited over 10 years ago, however, sometimes people can still claim if they have symptoms from this condition.
- Pleural thickening results from severe scarring of the pleura. It is more widespread that the scarring associated with pleural plaques and leads to much more severe symptoms. Compensation is available for this condition depending upon your percentage of respiratory disability.
History of Asbestos
Dr Montague Murray gives evidence to the Departmental Committee on Industrial Diseases of the death of a man from an asbestos related condition.
The first reported medical case of an asbestos related death due to asbestosis. Nellie Kershaw from Rochdale had worked at Turner Brothers Asbestos as a rover spinner.
The Government Factory Inspectors Report in 1928 noted cases involving asbestos exposure causing pulmonary fibrosis (asbestosis).
Government Factory Inspector's report by Dr Merewether and Mr Price presented to Parliament in March 1930 “Occurrence of Pulmonary Fibrosis & Other Pulmonary Affections in Asbestos Workers” They concluded there was a definite occupational risk in the asbestos industry in the form of a type of fibrosis of the lungs (asbestosis).
The Asbestos Industry Regulations 1931 come in to force on 1st March 1932. These regulations sought to control the amount of asbestos dust in factories.
The Factories Act 1937 came into force.
The Factory Inspectors Annual Report of 1938 published in July 1939 commented “There can be no doubt that dust, if inhaled, is physiologically undesirable. Moreover dust that is thought today to be harmless may, following research, be viewed in another light to-morrow. It is not many years ago when the dust of asbestos was regarded as innocuous while to-day it is recognised as highly dangerous.”
Nora Dockerty’s family were the first in the UK to receive compensation for her death from an asbestos related disease. Nora had worked at Turner Brothers Asbestos in Rochdale for 13 ½ years. (Image from ibasecretariat.org)
Eminent Scientist Richard Doll's report, "Mortality from Lung Cancer in Asbestos Workers" published and showed a link between asbestos dust and cancer. “Lung cancer was a specific hazard of certain asbestos workers”
The Factories Act 1959 passed.
The Shipbuilding and Ship-Repairing Regulations 1960 came into force on 31st March 1961. These regulations sort to control the use of asbestos in the shipbuilding industry.
Pathologist Chris Wagner's report “Diffuse mesothelioma and asbestos exposure in the North Western Cape Province” showed a clear link between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma, an asbestos cancer.
The Factories Act 1961 came in to force on 1st April 1962.
Turner & Newall solicitors warned the directors: "We have, over the years, been able to talk our way out of claims but we have always recognised that at some stage solicitors of experience . . . would, with the advance in medical knowledge and the development of the law . . . recognise there is no real defence to these claims and take us to trial."
Dr Muriel Newhouse and Hilda Thompson’s report established a link between mesothelioma and domestic exposure to asbestos. “There seems to be little doubt that the risk of mesothelioma may arise from both occupational and domestic exposure to asbestos.”
31 October 1965 – Front page Sunday Times Newspaper article reported a link between low level asbestos exposure such as from clothing and mesothelioma. “Scientists track down killer dust disease”
The Asbestos Regulations 1969 came into force on the 14th May 1970. These regulations imposed much stricter rules than those under the 1931 Regulations and applied to significantly more work with asbestos. At the same time a voluntary ban was introduced on the import of blue asbestos (Crocidolite) to the UK.
28th June 1971 – Groundbreaking World in Action Documentary – The Dust at Acre Mill - This was a TV documentary on Cape’s Asbestos Factory in Hebden Bridge and its dangerous use of asbestos.
The Health & Safety at Work Act introduced.
A voluntary ban was introduced on the import of brown (Amosite) asbestos to the U.K.
Yorkshire TV prime time documentary “Alice – A Fight For Life” was shown on 20th July 1982 and ignited public and political debate around asbestos use in the UK. Alice Jefferson suffered from mesothelioma from exposure to asbestos at work at Cape’s Asbestos Mill, Acre Mill.
The Asbestos (Licencing) Regulations introduced.
More from the Asbestos claims team
meet Our Asbestos Claims Team
Sarah Adlam
Legal Assistant
Jo Summerill
Medical Records & Client Support Assistant
Jo Duggan
Senior Paralegal ACILEx
Helen Grady
Specialist APIL Asbestos Disease Accredited Solicitor
Asbestos News
AmicusLaw Asbestos Specialist Helen Grady’s Case Featured on Morning Live
On the 24th of July, AmicusLaw’s asbestos specialist Helen Grady’s recent asbestos case was featured in a report by popular morning show, Morning Live. The show
Helen Grady Joins AmicusLaw
Helen grew up and lives in the South West and has over 27 years of experience in litigation and asbestos-related illness cases, with specialist APIL
Contact Our Asbestos claims team
Please provide us with a few details of you and your situation so we can find the perfect team member to help you.
SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER
