Asbestos Conditions
Asbestos related disease accounts for 4000 deaths each year and occurs mainly in workers who were directly involved with asbestos, such as construction workers, ship builders and railway engineers but it is not uncommon to encounter incidence of asbestos related disease in people with lower exposure levels such as plumbers, electricians and carpenters. Even family members can be at risk of secondary exposure via fibres on the clothing of some one else in their household who worked with asbestos.
The use of asbestos is now banned in the UK, however asbestos related illness can take 40-50 years to develop so the problem will remain with us for many years.
Conditions caused by asbestos exposure are:-
Asbestosis
Mesothelioma
Lung Cancer
Pleural Thickening
Pleural Plaques (read more below about the Pleural Plaques Former Claimants Scheme)
If you have been exposed to Asbestos and have developed an illness caused by it you may be entitled to compensation
Pleural Plaques
It is not currently possible to pursue a civil claim for compensation in England and Wales as it is considered a symptom free condition. If however you have large areas of pleural plaques it is likely that you will be in some discomfort so you should contact your GP immediately and seek legal advice.
If you were diagnosed with this condition before October 17th 2007 and a solicitor attempted to claim damages for you, then you may be eligible for a one off payment of £5000 under the Pleural Plaques Former Claimants Scheme. You should apply online http://www.justice.gov.uk/guidance/pleural-plaques-compensation-scheme.htm or by phone 0300 303 8150
Important: Any claim must be made by 01st August 2011
We do not make any deductions from your compensation – you keep 100%.
