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Asbestos Compensation Claims

No Win No FeeIf you've been told that you have an asbestos related disease you may feel that your world has been turned upside down, you may not fully understand what type of illness you have or what the future holds and compensation may be the last thing on your mind.

However, almost everyone who has an asbestos related disease has been exposed to asbestos at work. This exposure probably happened many decades ago when you were working to provide for yourself and your family. You may not recall such exposure because even light and intermittent exposure to asbestos dust can cause illness.  

Compensation will help safeguard yours and your family's future and Neil Hudgell Solicitors Asbestos Team will give you the best chance of obtaining the money you deserve. Contact us today to discuss your case.

Compensation can be claimed if you are suffering from one or more of the following asbestos related diseases:

Asbestos compensation claims - FAQs

What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a mineral found and mined in certain parts of the world. Once mined it is processed for use in many different industries due to its fire and chemical resistant properties. Asbestos is also a known cancer causing material and most countries have banned asbestos products to safeguard their workforce. Contact us today to discuss your case.
What types of illness does asbestos cause?
Generally lung diseases following exposure to asbestos many years ago. These illnesses range in severity from pleural plaques, to pleural thickening, asbestosis and mesothelioma. Contact us today to discuss your case.
I've been exposed to asbestos, will I develop an asbestos related disease?
Whilst everyone who has been exposed to asbestos is at risk of developing an asbestos illness, fortunately only some of those people will go on to have problems. Reassuring though that is, there is no way of telling who will develop an illness and who won't. If you are worried about asbestos disease consult your GP who can assess whether you need referring to a specialist. Contact us today to discuss your case.
I am suffering from Pleural Plaques, can I make a claim?
Asbestos induced pleural plaques (scarring of the lining of the lung) is not compensatable if you were exposed to asbestos in England and Wales. This is because pleural plaques very rarely produce any symptoms so the most senior judges in England and Wales ruled that compensation should not be paid to the victims of pleural plaques. However, if you were exposed to asbestos in Northern Ireland or Scotland you may be able to make a claim. Contact us today to discuss your case.
Will my claim be successful?
Every case is decided on its own facts but certainly, it must be shown that you were negligently exposed to asbestos by a former employer or other negligent party. Contact us today to discuss your case.
I have an asbestos disease but my former employers are no longer in business, what should I do?
Don't worry, this situation is common and a claim can still be brought against the employer's insurance if their insurers can be traced. We are specialists at tracing insurers and getting compensation for those in this very situation. Contact us today to discuss your case.
How long will a claim take?
This depends upon the strength of your case as well as the defendant's approach to defending your claim. They may choose to settle within a weeks or months or they may dispute your claim in which case court proceedings may be necessary. However most cases take between 12 and 18 months to resolve and we aim to conclude terminal illness cases within 6 months. Contact us today to discuss your case.
How much is my claim worth?
Again this depends upon your circumstances and the nature and severity of your asbestos illness, every case is different but typically those with the most serious asbestos disease, mesothelioma, receive 6-figure compensation awards. We recognise that money cannot truly compensate you for a disabling illness but it can make your life and that of your loved ones more comfortable. Rest assured that whatever the value of your claim, Neil Hudgell Asbestos Team will ensure that you get the maximum compensation that you deserve. Contact us today to discuss your case.
A loved one has died from an asbestos disease, can a claim still be made?
Yes, a claim can be brought on behalf of the deceased's estate and their dependants. Contact us today to discuss your case.
Are there time limits to make a claim?
Yes, as a general rule you must issue court proceedings within 3 years of discovering that you are suffering from an asbestos related disease, or in the case of the death of a loved one, within 3 years of the date of their death. Contact us today to discuss your case.
What if my case is out of time?
There may still be a chance that you can claim compensation if there is a good reason why you didn't claim earlier. It may make things more difficult but with the right solicitor, it can be done. Contact us today to discuss your case.
If I make a claim will everyone find out?
Not necessarily, if a claim is settled without the need for court proceedings then it is unlikely that anyone would find out about your case against your wishes and even when court action is necessary a judge can be asked to order that the case remains a secret. If this is a worry for you please let us know. Contact us today to discuss your case.
Will I have lots of work to do?
No, the process is easier than you'd think. The most important thing that you can do is contact Neil Hudgell Asbestos Team. We'll take some information from you either in person or over the telephone and we'll quickly be able to tell you whether or not you have grounds for a claim. Thereafter we'll handle all of the technical elements of your case, keep you regularly updated and advise you about the best way to proceed. Contact us today to discuss your case.
How much will my case cost me?
We offer a no win no fee service that we believe is unrivalled. We guarantee that, if we are successful with your claim, you will receive 100% of any damages awarded. Any costs we incur on successful claims are recovered from the other side. If your claim is unsuccessful, there will be absolutely no cost to you for claiming. Not all solicitors operate this policy or offer our unrivalled levels of service. Contact us today to discuss your case.

 

What is asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral.

There are three common types of asbestos: Chrysotile, Amosite and Crocidolite. These are often referred to as White Asbestos, Brown Asbestos and Blue Asbestos respectively.

Whilst it is true that blue asbestos is the most toxic form of the mineral, brown asbestos and white asbestos are also deadly and also cause pleural thickening, asbestosis and mesothelioma.  

There is no known safe dose of asbestos and all those who are exposed to it are at risk of developing mesothelioma. Heavier exposure may lead to pleural thickening and very significant exposure causes asbestosis.

Why is asbestos harmful?

The properties of asbestos which industry championed are the very properties which make it so toxic.

It is heat resistant, acid resistant, and cannot be broken down by the body easily, it can cause the cells, which are designed to take unwanted bodies out of the system, to die and to mutate. Sometimes these mutations are harmless and sometimes they cause cancer or other problems.

Was there asbestos at your workplace? 

Many sufferers wonder where they were exposed to asbestos but many workplaces across the full spectrum of industry had asbestos in them in one form or other. For that reason it is important that you speak to expert solicitors even if you do not recall asbestos exposure. 

Any workplace built before the mid 1990s could potentially contain asbestos.

Whilst some industries actively utilised asbestos, from ceiling tiles in offices to pipe insulation in power stations, many industries used it in an ancillary capacity. In fact it would probably be easier to list the industries which didn't use asbestos than to list those that did. However, below are some of the industries where workers were commonly exposed to asbestos.

  • Power stations
  • Railways
  • Construction
  • Demolition
  • Plumbing
  • Joinery
  • Fabrication
  • Car manufacturing
  • Aircraft manufacturing
  • Dock workers
  • Ship builders and ship repair
  • Merchant navy
  • Steel works
  • Mills

Asbestos in the home

Asbestos can be found around older homes and below is a list of potential uses of asbestos around the home:

  • Artex (textured decorative coatings) -  used widely in the 1970s and 1980s.
  • Asbestos insulation boards – electricity meter housing.
  • Asbestos flue pipes
  • Asbestos guttering
  • Asbestos soffits and fascias
  • Asbestos corrugated roofing – garage/shed roofs

Information about asbestos lung diseases

Pleural Thickening

Pleural thickening is the thickening of the lining of the lung which is called the pleura. It is caused by asbestos exposure and produces symptoms ranging from minor to severe breathlessness. Contact us today to discuss your case.

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Asbestosis

Asbestosis is internal scarring of the lungs themselves. It takes a lot of asbestos to cause asbestosis and its effects can be devastating. If you have asbestosis it may show up on a chest x-ray but is more frequently diagnosed following a CT scan. Some other non-asbestos related diseases produce similar CT scan results to asbestosis so your consultant may ask you about your previous asbestos exposure so that he or she can be sure of the correct diagnosis.  Contact us today to discuss your case.

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Mesothelioma 

Mesothelioma is an incurable cancer which is caused by asbestos.

Even small amounts of asbestos can cause mesothelioma, so at first you may not recall being exposed.

In most cases mesothelioma affects the lining of the lungs following inhalation of asbestos dust but it can occur in the lining of other bodily organs such as the peritoneum.

Sadly, there is no known cure for mesothelioma but life extending treatment is available.

It is important that a claim for compensation is investigated without delay and that any subsequent court action is dealt with quickly so that the sufferer can have the benefit of their compensation as soon as possible. We utilise special court  procedures which minimise the time it takes for the court to hear your claim, this puts pressure on defendants to settle your claim quickly. Contact us today to discuss your case.

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The Neil Hudgell approach to asbestos compensation claims

We’re serious about handling asbestos compensation claims as quickly and sympathetically as possible.

We understand how difficult these cases are and the need to proceed as quickly as possible whilst offering you the very best in care, expertise and support.

Our asbestos claim team will give you a free initial assessment and talk you through the options available to you and your family. If you require a home visit, we’re more than happy to come see you at a place that’s convenient to you.

If you would like to discuss any details regarding a potential claim relating to asbestos or mesothelioma, speak to our specialist asbestos solicitors today for free initial advice. Cases are dealt with on a no win no fee basis so there's no risk to you.

Complete this form and a member of our friendly legal team will call you back to discuss your claim.

Alternatively complete the full claim form or telephone us on 0808 256 2448

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