Industrial Disease Solicitors | Waldrons Solicitors

Asbestos

Mesothelioma

Industrial Disease

FAQs

Asbestos related diseases

Long-term asbestos exposure can increase the risk of developing asbestos-related diseases. In many cases, symptoms do not appear for 20-30 years after the exposure point.

Asbestosis

When asbestos dust is breathed in, the fibres can enter the lungs and gradually scar them over time, causing long-term damage and inflammation. This condition is known as asbestosis and is incurable. Those diagnosed with asbestosis need long-term treatment to manage the condition, which may include the use of inhalers or oxygen therapy.

Symptoms of asbestosis can include:

Shortness of breath;
Wheezing;
A persistent cough;
Fatigue;
Chest or shoulder pain; or
Swollen fingertips.

Mesothelioma

In the UK, more than 2,700 people are diagnosed with a type of cancer known as mesothelioma. This is an incurable form of cancer that develops in the lining covering the outer surface of some organs, such as the lungs, stomach, heart, or testicles. It most often affects the lungs, resulting in a type of cancer known as pleural mesothelioma.

Like asbestosis, mesothelioma symptoms appear gradually over time. However, in addition to asbestosis symptoms, mesothelioma symptoms in the lungs or stomach can include:

A high temperature and sweating, especially during the night;
Loss of appetite and unexpected weight loss;
Feeling or being sick;
Stomach pain or swelling; or
Diarrhoea or constipation.

The prognosis is poor because it often doesn’t cause any visible symptoms until the disease is well-advanced. From that stage, the disease can progress quickly.

Asbestos related diffuse pleural thickening

Pleural thickening occurs when scar tissue increases the thickness of the lungs’ membrane lining. It may or may not have any obvious symptoms, but it is often a sign of asbestos exposure.

As the scarring becomes more rigid, the lungs find it increasingly difficult to expand when breathing. Common symptoms include shortness of breath and chest pain.

Although it rarely leads to death, asbestos-related diffuse pleural thickening can reduce lung function and impact a person’s quality of life.

Asbestos related Lung Cancer

While asbestos exposure only contributes to a small number of lung cancer diagnoses, asbestos-related lung cancer is another very serious form of asbestos-related disease. It differs from mesothelioma as the cancer tumours form inside the lungs rather than in the outer lining. In the majority of cases, it is fatal.

How can Waldrons help you with Asbestos Related Illnesses?

If you believe you have a compensation claim to make or simply want more information, it’s advisable to get in touch as soon as possible. At Waldrons, we have a wealth of experience to support you through every step of the claim process. Get in touch with the Personal Injury team to discuss your circumstances.

What can I claim for with asbestos related illness?

If you or a loved one receive a diagnosis of an asbestos-related illness, you may be entitled to make a claim for compensation against your employer or former employer. It is worth seeking advice from a specialist solicitor, as people are not always aware that they may be entitled.

You can make a compensation claim even if your former employer has ceased trading or you are not sure exactly when you may have been exposed to asbestos. In the case of environmental exposure to asbestos, you can bring a claim against a company you believe is responsible, despite not working for them or if you were working overseas for a UK-based company.

There are three main heads of damage that you can raise a claim for:

General damages, which relate to your pain and suffering;
Special damages, which should compensate you for money that you have lost if you have taken time off work in relation to your condition or need to pay medical bills.

You may also be able to make a claim if a deceased loved one, such as a spouse, partner, or parent, died from an asbestos-related disease.

Is there a time limit for claims involving asbestos related illnesses?

Those diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, such as mesothelioma, have three years to start court proceedings from the date they ought reasonably to have known they were suffering from an occupational disease. This is known as your date of knowledge. As it can take several decades before symptoms appear, it’s important to note that the three years timeframe begins from your date of knowledge, not the date of exposure.

Family members of a person who has died from an asbestos-related illness can make a claim within three years of their loved one’s date of death to help cope with the financial costs.

Who is likely to be at risk of exposure?

Since asbestos was banned in the late 1990s, the risk of exposure to the substance has diminished. The highest at risk were those working in the construction or shipbuilding industries.

Today, you are more likely to be exposed if your work puts you at heightened risk of damaging asbestos that remains in some older, pre-2000 buildings. Workers who may come into contact with asbestos include:

Carpenters
Plumbers
Heating and ventilation engineers
Boilermakers
Electricians
Fitters
Joiners
Demolition workers
Construction workers

Additionally, some people may have been subject to asbestos exposure, even if they didn’t work in construction. These include:

People who worked for a long time in a contaminated building, such as schools or hospitals;
People who lived near or grew up near an asbestos factory – this is known as environmental exposure; or
People who may have been subject to secondary exposure, for example, through washing their spouse, partner, or other family member’s, contaminated work clothes.