Asbestosis, Pleural Plaques and Mesothelioma injury claims
Workers who were negligently exposed to asbestos by their former employers are now entitled to seek compensation. This is so even in the case of pleural plaques, asymptomatic scarring of the lung following a recent Supreme court decision.
Asbestos compensation
Workers in UK industry were exposed to asbestos for many years. You may be able to claim compensation for any injuries you have suffered if you meet the following criteria:
- You found about the injury at some point in the last three years.
- Your former employer(s) failed to take adequate measures to protect you from exposure to asbestos.
- The insurance company which insured your former employer(s) can be traced.
Asbestos can lead to a variety of medical conditions. Not all are fatal. Medical opinion is that the following conditions can be caused by a single asbestos fibre. It is impossible to say how and where you contracted an asbestos-related medical condition. This means that if you have worked for, say, 5 employers dealing with asbestos, and each was negligent in allowing you to be exposed to asbestos, you can raise a claim against each for compensation in proportion to the amount of time for which you worked for that company.
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lungs which can be caused by asbestos exposure. Unlike other forms of lung cancer, mesothelioma is not normally linked to smoking. Mesothelioma is often not diagnosed until it is advanced, giving it a poor survival rate.
Asbestosis
Asbestosis is thickening of the lining of the lung can cause breathlessness. This can hamper your ability to work or carry out daily tasks or hobbies. The symptoms can take decades to come to light, and it is often many years before the illness is diagnosed. The law limits personal injury claims to a period of three years following the accident, but in the case of asbestosis, the time period runs from the day you find out about the disease.
Pleural plaques
Pleural plaques are asymptomatic scarring of the lining of the lung. Asymptomatic simply means that there are no discernible symptoms. Despite the fact they do not materially impact on the quality of one’s life, the Scottish Parliament has decided they are injuries for which compensation can be sought, as they are evidence of exposure to asbestos.
If you have contracted any of the above diseases, or would like more information on asbestosis claims, contact our expert personal injury solicitors today.
We have recently settled successfully two separate compensation claims brought on behalf of retired former employees- and their families- where the employees were unfortunately diagnosed with the fatal asbestos cancer, mesothelioma, as a result of exposure of inhalation of quantities of asbestos fibres decades ago in the course of past employment.
The first claim was brought by us on behalf of a former shipyard joiner who worked in the Clydeside shipyards in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s and was thereby exposed to asbestos fibres on a regular basis. We were able to secure maximum compensation for the client, to include compensation not only for the pain and suffering and tragic curtailment of life, but also the past and future loss of income resulting from his sad loss of years, and for the huge assistance and comfort given to our client by his family.
The second claim was brought by us on behalf of a former fitter/turner (now sadly deceased due to his mesothelioma) and his executor and close family. The now deceased client worked in an East Lothian power station and was exposed to quantities of asbestos fibres in the stripping down and maintenance of boiler plant, piping and equipment which was lagged with asbestos material. Following his sad death, we pursued claims on behalf of his executor, widow, brothers, children and grandchildren. All claims were settled in full by the insurers of the power station employers.
Our industrial disease team of solicitors has huge experience in pursuing compensation throughout Scotland for victims of asbestos-related conditions, and also on behalf of claimants suffering from all other forms of work-related diseases or conditions, including Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (formerly known as Vibration White Finger), Carpal Tunnel syndrome, industrial deafness, and occupational asthma and dermatitis.
Contact our Asbestos Relates Injuries solicitors today
Our leading Scottish Personal Injury Solicitors can advise on all aspects of your claim. We offer a no-win, no-fee service. We have the knowledge and experience to guide you through the entire claims process. To find out more about how our specialist solicitors can help you get the compensation you deserve, please complete our online enquiry form to the right. Alternatively please telephone us on 01413336750 to start your claim today.
