Frequently Asked Questions
When faced with an asbestos disease diagnosis, people often have lots of questions. Here, you’ll find information on the claims process, treatment centres and clinical trials, plus more information on asbestos diseases themselves.
Please also feel free to contact us on 0800 038 6767 if you have any other queries. We will be happy to advise you further.
Treatments
Treatments vary greatly depending upon the diagnosis. For asbestos-related lung cancer and mesothelioma, treatment options can include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy.
For asbestos-related pleural thickening and asbestosis, treatment options are fairly limited and focus on easing symptoms of breathlessness and pain. Treatment plans may include prescribing steroids, inhalers, pulmonary rehabilitation or simple lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking and becoming more active.
This will depend on the individual and the stage of the disease. In cases of asbestos-related lung cancer and mesothelioma, surgery can sometimes ease symptoms as well as improve life expectancy. Chemotherapy and immunotherapy may also prevent the disease from spreading as quickly, again improving the prognosis.
You should discuss all possible treatment options with your treating doctors. They will consider your individual circumstances, specific diagnosis and any progression in the disease. They may also discuss with you the possibility of taking part in clinical trials.
Clinical Trials
The NHS actively provides information on all the latest trials available for mesothelioma. You can discuss this with your treating doctors. You can also visit their website here: NHS Mesothelioma Trials.
The Royal Marsden is one of the leading clinical trials and treatment centres in the UK; you can view their latest clinical trials here: The Royal Marsden Clinical Trials.
Clinical trials are used to provide evidence about whether new drugs or treatments are effective. Patients taking part in a trial or research study will follow new methods of treatment or take new drugs as part of an experiment to see how well they work.
In some trials, some of the patients will be given placebos (a dummy treatment) to act as a comparison. Trials go through a series of phases before new drugs and treatments are approved.
Not everyone will be considered suitable for a clinical trial. Each trial has its own set of eligibility criteria, and each patient will be assessed. It is always worth exploring this with your treating doctors.
Diseases
There are five asbestos-related diseases:
Asbestos-related diseases can take up to 50 years, after exposure to asbestos, to develop. When asbestos fibres are inhaled, they can become lodged in the lungs and cause scarring and damage leading to the development of asbestos diseases.
Anyone who has been exposed to asbestos can be at risk of developing an asbestos disease, but it is not a certain outcome. Many people exposed to asbestos never go on to develop asbestos disease.
Certain occupations have been associated with a greater risk of developing asbestos disease, as a result of the levels of asbestos exposure involved. These include plumbers, electricians, laggers and carpenters.
Environmental Exposure
People may have also experienced environmental exposure to asbestos or “secondary exposure”. Environmental exposure to asbestos was often experienced by those living close to asbestos factories in the past. Secondary exposure to asbestos has been caused by workers bringing asbestos home on their work clothes and exposing their family to the dust. For example, in the past, wives have been exposed to asbestos from washing the clothes of their husbands.
In most cases, asbestos diseases develop long after someone has been exposed to asbestos. Generally speaking, this can be between 10 and 50 years. This is known as the latency period.
Claims Process
A specialist asbestos disease solicitor will always handle your claim. They will work with a dedicated team experienced in pursuing asbestos disease claims. We have an excellent track record of success in asbestos compensation claims. To speak to a member of the team, please call 0800 038 6767.
Yes. You have a period of three years in which to issue Court proceedings. The three-year time period starts to run when you first suspect, or should suspect, that your exposure to asbestos is causing symptoms. It is advisable to speak to one of our specialist solicitors at the earliest opportunity.
Our solicitors work on a ‘no win, no fee’ basis. If we lose, we do not charge you anything. At the outset of the case we take out an insurance policy on your behalf to protect you against any costs.
Every case is different, and the length of time needed to bring a claim to a conclusion depends on a number of factors. We aim to settle cases in the shortest time possible and have on a number of occasions completed mesothelioma claims in just 60 days.
There are two ways of settling a claim, on a provisional basis or on a full and final basis. If you settle on a provisional basis, the settlement figure will be slightly lower, however, should your condition deteriorate significantly or you develop a further asbestos-related disease, you will be able to claim further compensation for this. If your claim is settled on a full and final basis, you will not be able to pursue a further claim.
Every case is different, and each is assessed on its individual circumstances. Compensation will be claimed for the asbestos disease itself and any financial losses that have resulted. This may include loss of earnings, additional costs of care and assistance or private treatment costs. To find out what your claim might be worth, please use our calculator or call one of our specialist legal team on 0800 038 6767.
Yes. If you were employed and exposed to asbestos in the UK, we can help you pursue a claim. We have successfully completed claims for clients living all over the world, including New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Canada, Spain, Italy and France.