Asbestosis Compensation & Mesothelioma Solicitors in Manchester

Asbestos Claims are vital for those who have been exposed to the substance.

Some jobs may come with a degree of risk but, in the case of asbestos exposure, all employees should be provided with protective equipment to guard against industrial diseases.

Sheldon Davidson Solicitors are a leading work accident claims law firm in Manchester. We help people who suffer injuries at work to claim compensation they rightly deserve. We have a high degree of expertise surrounding workplace health and safety regulation. This makes us perfectly placed to answer any questions you may have about what has happened to you.

If you are unsure whether you have grounds to make a claim for an injury you believe was caused by exposure to asbestos, talk to one of our Asbestos Solicitors today.

 

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a term used to identify 6 minerals, with impressive properties - such as resistance to heat, corrosion, and electricity. These features made Asbestos a popular choice in the manufacturing of building materials, vehicle parts, and electrical equipment.

The six types of asbestos that are generally recognised are:

• Crocidolite
• Tremolite
• Amosite
• Actinolite
• Anthophyllite
• Chrysotile

Unfortunately, the flexible fibres that make up asbestos and give it its desirable qualities also make the material highly toxic. Studies have found a direct link between being exposed to asbestos dust and a number of serious illnesses, such as cancer. Some, such as Mesothelioma, are characteristic of asbestos exposure, and rarely happen to people who have not been exposed to the material.

Asbestos has been a popular material in construction for over half a century, up until its ban in the UK in 1999. It can be found in buildings even today. Removal of asbestos from a building needs to be done by a specialist removal company, as disturbing the material can result in inhalation of the dangerous fibres.

 

What is Asbestosis?

One of the most common medical conditions caused by long-term exposure to asbestos is Asbestosis. Asbestosis is a serious chronic condition that affects the lungs, caused by the microscopic fibres that make up asbestos materials. These fibres can make their way into the lungs when breathed, causing scarring and thickening of the tissues in the lung and affecting their function.

Patient affected by Asbestosis may experience:

• Shortness of breath that gets progressively more persistent
• Frequent coughing and/or wheezing
• Chronic fatigue
• Chest pain
• Swollen fingertips in very severe cases

The prognosis for Asbestosis patients can vary greatly, as the condition progresses at different paces, and does not progress at all in some cases. Treatments such as oxygen therapy are sometimes used to alleviate symptoms, but decreasing the risk factors for lung diseases is considered a more common approach, such as avoiding smoking.

Because of the nature of the illness, many Asbestosis Claims are only brought forward years after the exposure may have ceased. While you may be subject to time limits for your claim, you are likely to have a valid claim if you have developed an asbestos-related disease.

 

Who can make an Asbestos Exposure Claim?

If you have been diagnosed by a medical professional with an asbestos-related disease, you are likely eligible to make an Asbestos Exposure Claim. You may be suffering from a range of symptoms and illnesses, and many could be caused by undue exposure to asbestos.

One of the major symptoms of asbestos exposure is difficulty breathing, particularly after physical exercise. This can become apparent even after comparatively light exercise such as walking upstairs.

Another symptom is a heavy cough, which can in some cases include coughing up blood.

Some of the more common asbestos-related illnesses include:

• Asbestosis
• Mesothelioma – The majority of those diagnosed with Mesothelioma, a form of cancer, have suffered asbestos exposure. It affects the outer lining of the lungs and sometimes the lining of the abdominal cavity. This disease has become such an issue in the UK it was even mentioned in the 2013 Queen’s Speech at the state opening of Parliament, and has required many legal professionals to become specialist Mesothelioma Solicitors.
• Diffuse Pleural Thickening – This affects the outer lining of the lungs, which become scarred and thickened, leading to restricted lung function. These thickened tissues are referred to as pleural plaques.
• Lung Cancer – Can be caused by asbestos exposure.

Being diagnosed with any of these conditions, with a direct link to asbestos exposure, you are likely eligible to claim for asbestos compensation. Contact our team of Asbestos and Mesothelioma Compensation Claims Solicitors today for tailored legal advice on how you can approach a claim for compensation for asbestos exposure.

 

Can I lose my job if I make an Asbestos Exposure Claim?

Your employer has a duty of care towards their employees. This means making sure they operate in a safe environment, and with minimal health and safety hazards. If an employer fails to do so, effectively breaching their duty of care, they should be held accountable.

Any repercussion you may suffer from making a legitimate claim for asbestos exposure is highly illegal, and your employer would suffer considerable legal consequences. You are protected by the law from being fired, or even treated differently from other employees, on the basis of a legitimate work injury compensation claim.

You may continue to be employed and protected from any retaliation towards yourself. Any compensation you may receive for asbestos-related illnesses will come from your employer’s liability insurance, and not from the employer, or company, themself.

 

Can I make a claim if I have already received Asbestos Compensation in the past?

Asbestosis and other asbestos-related illnesses may progress and worsen with time. Because of this, you may find it necessary to start another claim for asbestos exposure compensation some time after having already obtained a payout.

You may be eligible to start additional Asbestos Claims if your condition is worsened only if your original compensation was granted on a provisional basis.

If you have received asbestos compensation on a “full and final” basis, you will not be eligible to make a second claim in the future. You may obtain a higher payout for a full and final claim, but you will forfeit your right to claim again should your health deteriorate further than predicted.

 

Can I make an Asbestos Exposure Claim for secondary exposure to asbestos?

Secondary exposure to asbestos can happen in those who have been in frequent contact with workers who had been exposed to asbestos, such as family members breathing in the fibres from someone’s clothing, hair, or skin.

Those who live near factories, shipyards, or construction sites where asbestos was used may also develop Mesothelioma as a result of secondary exposure to asbestos.

Many such cases have been brought to courts successfully. If you have had contact with someone who has been proven to be exposed to asbestos, and develop an asbestos-related illness yourself, you could have a valid asbestos compensation claim.

 

Which jobs are at risk for Asbestos exposure?

Some of the industries where workers may find themselves at the greatest risk of asbestos exposure and other forms of chemical poisoning include:

Ship workers, dock workers and their families

• Laggers
• Plumbers
• Electricians
• Builders
• Boiler Servicemen
• Fire Fighters

This is far from an exhaustive list, and many other jobs could present the risk of asbestos exposure. The material has been historically used in a wide range of industries over the majority of the last century.

 

Ask Sheldon Davidson Solicitors

Asbestos exposure can have serious, long term consequences for workers. If you are diagnosed with an asbestos-related condition and feel your employer could have done more to protect you, speak to Sheldon Davidson Solicitors about a potential compensation claim.

Victims should be aware that they must begin their asbestos compensation claim within three years of their diagnosis. Our experienced team can help you make a claim against your employer if you believe their negligence contributed to your illness.

Additionally, we can also assist if you were misdiagnosed by a doctor who failed to notice the damage caused by your asbestos exposure and began treatment for the wrong illness, allowing your condition to worsen.

Our Asbestos Solicitors can help you claim compensation for being exposed to asbestos for any period of time as a result of negligent or poor safety protocol enforcement. We can support you on a No Win No Fee basis, meaning you will have our support free of charge unless we are successful in your claim.

 

Do I have a time limit to make my Asbestos Claims?

The long-term effects of Asbestosis, Mesothelioma, and other asbestos-related diseases may affect the timeliness of your diagnosis. As such, you may be worried about the validity of a compensation claim for an event that may have happened decades ago.

The law in the United Kingdom limits personal injury claims, including industrial disease claims, to be made within 3 years of the event. However, many cases can be subject to different rules.

For conditions which can only be diagnosed some time after the incident or exposure, claims for compensation can be started up to 3 years from the time of the “date of knowledge” - in this case, an official diagnosis of an asbestos-related illness.

If you are unsure about the time limits which may affect the validity of your claim, contact Sheldon Davidson Solicitors today. We will ensure your Asbestos Claims proceed smoothly, and you receive the best outcome possible for your case.

 

Contact Us

We are passionate about helping clients to seek appropriate justice and recompense, and our track record speaks for itself.

Our experienced Asbestosis Compensation Solicitors act regularly for clients across Greater Manchester including Ashton, Bury, Bolton, Radcliffe, Prestwich, Middleton, Failsworth, Rochdale, Oldham, and Whitefield.

Sheldon Davidson Solicitors are a Lexcel accredited law firm. The Lexcel standard is only awarded by the Law Society to firms who meet the highest standards of practice management and customer service.

With Sheldon Davidson's Personal Injury Solicitors in Manchester, you can be confident that your accident at work claim is in safe hands.

Call us for free now using the number at the top of the page or complete the online contact form and a member of our team will get back to you.​​​​​​