Mesothelioma Compensation Claims

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer which is caused by exposure to asbestos. It is most commonly contracted due to exposure to asbestos dust at work.

There are two main forms of mesothelioma; pleural mesothelioma, where a tumour forms on the lining of the lungs, and the less common peritoneal mesothelioma, where a tumour develops on the lining of the abdomen.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for mesothelioma and normal life expectancy will be reduced after a diagnosis is confirmed, although it will usually be investigated as to whether surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy would benefit the patient.

Mesothelioma is associated with certain professions where asbestos use was commonplace. This includes boilermakers, electricians, carpenters, builders, pipe fitters and plumbers. However, it is not limited to these professions and anyone who was exposed to asbestos can contract the illness.

Asbestos is an excellent insulator of heat and electricity, and it was commonly used in construction before it was banned in the 1990s. This means millions of buildings across the UK contain asbestos, and anyone who lived, worked or played near these buildings could potentially have been exposed. The families of people who worked with asbestos were also at risk, as the workers could bring the dust home on their clothes.

If you or a family member has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, or if a family member has passed away from mesothelioma, then you may be entitled to compensation.

If you have developed mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos, the organisation that put you at risk is liable for your illness. It doesn’t matter if you were exposed to asbestos at work, at school, at a hospital or somewhere else – you still may be able to pursue a claim against the organisation. As compensation is funded by the organisation’s insurer, you can still make a claim even if the organisation no longer exists.

If you aren’t sure where you contracted asbestos, it’s still worth getting in touch – we have a wealth of knowledge and experience to work out where you may have been exposed.

If you think you may be able to make a claim, contact our mesothelioma solicitors for legal advice about your case.

The first step towards making a mesothelioma claim is to get legal advice.

You can contact our mesothelioma lawyers by filling in our online form. One of our team will get back to you within 24 hours to provide no-obligation legal advice about your situation and how we can help.

If you decide to proceed with a claim, we will start the process by collecting as much information as possible about when, where and how you were exposed to asbestos.

We will then begin tracking down the insurers of those responsible for your asbestos exposure, as well as any witnesses, so that we can build a strong case and secure you the maximum amount of compensation.

There is a time limit (also known as a limitation period) of three years for making a mesothelioma claim.

The three-year period starts from when you receive your mesothelioma diagnosis.

If you are claiming on behalf of a deceased family member, the three-year period begins at the date of death, or the date you discover the death was caused by mesothelioma if you were not immediately aware of this.

If you are thinking of making a mesothelioma claim, it’s really important that you get in touch with us as soon as possible so that we have plenty of time to prepare your case.

Yes. Even if the organisation responsible no longer exists, our mesothelioma lawyers can still pursue a claim for you, as we can track down your company’s former insurer and make a claim against them. Speak to us today and we can explain your options to seek mesothelioma compensation.

Our long history of acting for those who were exposed to asbestos means that we have an extensive database of employers and insurers who have been responsible for exposing workers in the past. Sometimes former employers try to hide their history workplace exposure or try to hide who their insurers were at the time. In these circumstances, we can use our unrivalled knowledge to help you win your claim.

Yes. Certain people associated with those who have died from mesothelioma can still make a claim. This should be done within three years of their death.

For more information, please read our guide to asbestos claims after death.

The amount of compensation we can secure differs between every case. Though relatively high, mesothelioma compensation is case specific and is calculated by looking at a range of factors, including financial losses and care costs. Our mesothelioma solicitors will be able to advise you on the likely level of compensation if your claim is successful.

Here are some examples of mesothelioma payouts we have secured for our clients:

• £900,000 for a woman from the West Midlands who developed mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos while working as a junior clerk.
• £610,000 for the family of an architect from the West Midlands who passed away from his disease.
• £510,000 for a 59-year-old electrician from Nottinghamshire who was exposed to asbestos while working for several electrical contractors in the East Midlands.

At Thompsons, we have been involved in asbestos litigation for over 40 years, longer than any other law firm in the UK.

During that time, our experts have collected unrivalled records regarding asbestos exposure. We have access to expert reports, historical records of asbestos in local areas, and information about which companies used asbestos and when.

Thompsons has the UK’s largest asbestos register, which records details about the asbestos exposure of thousands of individuals across the UK. The register gives us a unique insight into common sources of asbestos exposure and provides a database of potential witnesses to support your claim.

Our extensive records also include lists of employers’ insurers, even for employers that have long since ceased trading.

Having this wealth of evidence at our fingertips enables us to prepare winning asbestos cases in a fraction of the time taken by other law firms, who will often be starting from scratch.

Thompsons Solicitors is a member of the Mesothelioma UK Legal Panel, which recognises the firm’s expertise fighting for the rights of asbestos victims. We’ve also signed the Mesothelioma Patient Charter, which promotes the highest standards of care and legal advice for mesothelioma patients and their families, and calls on the government and employers to maximise services, funding, safety and prevention to protect and support those who have been exposed to asbestos.

Our mesothelioma lawyers will also be able to put you in touch with local support groups for people diagnosed with mesothelioma.

Call us today on 0800 0 224 224 or complete our online form.