Asbestos Diseases

Asbestos Claims

Cancer

Pleural Plaques

Pleural Thickening

Mesothelioma

• Compensation
  
• Symptoms
  
• Treatment
  
• Solicitors
  

Asbestosis

• Damages
  
• Lawyer
  

This form of cancer is most commonly caused or partly caused by exposure to asbestos. Malignant cancer cells line the patient’s body cavities such as the chest, the abdomen or the area surrounding the heart. As this disease is caused by exposure to a harmful manmade substance victims are entitled to justice and financial redress. Mesothelioma solicitors investigate each case to establish and prove when and how the patient was exposed to asbestos. In cases where the victim is aware of how they came to be exposed to asbestos the legal representative can often go straight ahead with compiling evidence to prove who is legally responsible for this asbestos exposure.

Diagnosis begins with a basic physical examination. The doctor will listen to the patient’s chest for signs of fluid collecting and feel the area of the chest where there is pain or swelling. There may be a lump or just tenderness in this area.

The doctor may then refer the patient to a hospital for testing and X-rays. This further stage of testing may be carried out by a specialist. Further tests often include a CT scan or an MRI scan. A biopsy is used to confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy is when a sample of tissue is removed and examined. A biopsy involve a sample of tissue being taken from the lung called a thoracoscopy. For suspected cases of the peritoneal condition tissue is removed from the abdomen by peritoneoscopy.

This illness causes cells to divide in an out of control way. This abnormal type of cell division spreads to nearby tissues and as the cancer spreads a tumour forms. It is more common in men than women and the risk increases with age although it can affect anyone. Smoking or a history of smoking, also significantly increases the chance of developing this cancer.

Mesothelioma solicitors claims for compensation can be very difficult to prove. Many of these difficulties stem from the long time-lapse which occurs between the exposure to asbestos and diagnosis. Diagnosis commonly occurs any time between fifteen and forty years after exposure to asbestos.

Another reason cases can be difficult to prove is because the exposure to asbestos is not always obvious. A claimant who worked in a manual role within the building industry between 1945 (when asbestos became commonly used in the UK) and the 1980s (when asbestos was banned) has a high likelihood of being exposed to asbestos and the process of proving this would be relatively simple.

However, asbestos is made up of such tiny fibres it can be carried around in clothes, on animals, or by other means. As a result, some cases are extremely difficult to prove.

Because these legal cases for compensation are so specialised it is important to have the help of a solicitor who is experienced in winning these cases. Our specialist solicitors have a comprehensive knowledge of the historical use of asbestos and the ways the fibres can be carried as well as a thorough understanding of the laws entitling victims to compensation.

We are a national network of specialist personal injury solicitors with extensive experience of asbestos related disease compensation claims using the no win no fee scheme. Damages are paid in full with no deductions and our claim service is completely risk free. For free advice just complete the contact form and a member of The Law Society panel of personal injury experts will telephone you with no obligation.