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Specialist Asbestos Solicitors
Information about the specialist asbestos solicitors at Thompsons
Types of Asbestos Related Diseases
Information about various asbestos related illnesses
Making a Personal Injury Compensation Claim for an asbestos related illness
The procedure when making a claim for an asbestos related disease
Client Stories about asbestos compensation claims
Details of real cases Thompsons' asbestos solicitors have helped with
Thank you letters from our clients
Extracts from letters received from clients our asbestos solicitors have helped
Asbestos Exposure Compensation Advice
How to obtain free advice about starting a claim for an asbestos related disease
News on asbestos Issues
Recent News Stories Published about asbestos
Helpful Contacts
Organisations providing further advice regarding asbestos
At Thompsons, many of our lawyers specialise in dealing only with compensation claims for asbestos related diseases or asbestos related illnesses as they are sometimes referred to.
Ian McFall is Head of Asbestos Policy at Thompsons Solicitors. He has established Thompsons’ reputation as a leading firm of Solicitors by aggressively pursuing claims for clients who suffer from asbestos related illnesses. He is working with teams of specialist asbestos lawyers who deal with asbestos compensation claims in Thompsons’ offices throughout England and Wales.
These teams of specialist asbestos lawyers act for clients who have developed asbestos related diseases due to asbestos exposure from employment across a wide range of different occupations. Ian has acquired extensive experience as an asbestos expert from dealing personally with many clients and their families in asbestos compensation claims over the past 15 years.
Ian's reputation as one of the leading asbestos experts has been acknowledged in "The Legal 500" directory where he is described by insurance company solicitors as "a formidable opponent".
There are many different types of asbestos related conditions and they each vary in severity. The conditions include Pleural Plaques, Pleural Thickening, Mesothelioma, Lung Cancer and Asbestosis. Asbestosis is often misused as a term for any asbestos related disease or asbestos related illness. Exposure to asbestos fibres has been recognised as an occupational health hazard since the early 1900s. In addition, family members and others living with asbestos workers have an increased risk of developing asbestos related diseases and mesothelioma. The risk arises from exposure to asbestos dust brought home on the clothing and hair of asbestos workers.
The first compensation claims against asbestos manufacturers were in 1929. Since then, many lawsuits have been filed by asbestos solicitors against asbestos manufacturers and employers, for failing to implement safety measures as soon as the link between asbestos, asbestosis and mesothelioma became known.
Regardless of which of these asbestos related conditions (with the exception of pleural plaques) you have contracted if it can be proven that you were exposed to the asbestos by a negligent party then you may be able to make a personal injury claim for compensation. A recent House of Lords decision means pleural plaques are not compensatable.
However; if you have been diagnosed with pleural plaques, you should still contact Thompsons Solicitors for free advice.
In the United Kingdom a personal injury compensation claim for an asbestos related disease or asbestos related illness has to be started within three years of the date a person is informed of their condition by an appropriately qualified doctor. A claim can also be started within three years of the date of death by the deceased’s family if the cause of the illness was unknown and asbestos was only found to be a factor after the post mortem.
In other personal injury cases, the injured person must make the personal injury compensation claim within three years of the actual incident: The laws about when a claim has to start (known as the limitation period) are different for asbestos related diseases. Reflecting the fact that asbestos diseases take many years to develop, it allows a person with an asbestos related illness / asbestos related disease to make a personal injury compensation claim for an exposure which occurred decades before the actual illness was diagnosed.
Once you have appointed a personal injury solicitor to work on the case for you they will determine whether your condition was definitely caused as a result of your exposure to asbestos at work and then check whether the employer responsible for your asbestos exposure is still traceable. They will also need to check if there was any form of employer’s liability insurance in force at the time of your employment before arranging for a detailed medical report to be compiled and sent to the relevant insurer. This whole procedure is often very time-consuming for a Solicitor who does not specialise in this field as the exposures to asbestos will have occurred several decades before and companies may not still be trading under the same names in the same areas as they were at the time.
At Thompsons our expert asbestos solicitors have compiled a database containing information about previous asbestos claims and containing information regarding the employers liability insurers of companies no longer trading. This ensures that your claim for an asbestos related illness / asbestos related disease stands a much better chance of success and that you receive your compensation quicker. Therefore choosing a solicitor experienced in dealing with asbestos related disease claims is very important.
Read an update written by Thompsons Solicitors about Landmark Legal Cases on Asbestos Compensation. Click on the following link to view this report as a PDF.
Philip Gibbon
Our asbestos solicitors recovered a six figure sum in mesothelioma compensation for the family of Mr Philip Gibbon who died in January 2005 as a result of mesothelioma, an asbestos related disease. Mr Gibbon developed the disease whilst working as a shop fitter and joiner for William Nicholson & Son (Leeds) Limited and William Nicholson and Son Limited between 1966 and 1974.
Mr Gibbon worked in a factory where asbestos sheets were cut using a machine saw. The process caused asbestos fibres and asbestos dust to rise up into the atmosphere and into the breathing zone of Mr Gibbon. He was not provided with any respiratory protection and as a result was exposed to asbestos dust which resulted in his illness.
His wife, Mrs Margaret Gibbon said: "Philip died at the age of 60 at a time when he should have been looking forward to the remainder of his life. Instead he endured terrible illness for a year, suffering chest pains, debility and the need to depend on me and others. Nothing can bring back my husband, but people do need to be aware that this disease is a major killer and many more cases of it exist because of poor working conditions and the poor protection of employees. If families are in the same situation, they should seek support and help as soon as they can."
Mr Harrison
Mr Harrison was exposed to asbestos from 1950's until 1990's by different employers and went on to develop Pleural Plaques and Pleural Thickening - both asbestos-related conditions.
With the help of our expert asbestos solicitors he has received £10,000 compensation now with the provision to make a further claim in the future if his condition deteriorates and he develops a more serious asbestos-related illness / asbestos related disease.
To read Mr Harrison's comments on the service he received from Thompsons' asbestos solicitors, visit our Clients Comments section.
Mr Selby
With help from Thompsons' asbestos solicitors, a widow has recently been awarded £85,000 mesothelioma compensation on behalf of her husband who died after contracting an asbestos related disease.
Mrs Selby's husband contracted asbestosis and the fatal condition, mesothelioma as a result of working with asbestos many years before.
To read Mrs Selby's comments about the service she received from our asbestos solicitors visit our Clients Comments section.
The following are extracts from letters our asbestos solicitors have received from clients. In some cases the letters have been written by the person suffering from an asbestos related illness and in other cases the letter has been written by a relative as the person affected by the asbestos related disease / asbestos related illness has already died.
If you or someone you know believes that their working conditions have caused them to develop an asbestos related disease / asbestos related illness, telephone us now for asbestos exposure compensation advice from an expert asbestos solicitor.
There are strict time limits in place to make any injury claim. For further information, contact us or visit our Questions Answered page.
Thompsons' asbestos solicitors are expert in dealing with claims for asbestos related illnesses and we will be able to advise you whether or not you have a valid claim for compensation. Our specialist personal injury solicitors will be happy to talk you through the process of making a claim in plain English and will be happy to answer any questions or queries you may have. If you do have a valid personal injury compensation claim and you decide to instruct Thompsons Solicitors to deal with the matter for you, we will recover our legal fees from the person responsible for your injury, ensuring that the entire procedure is cost-free for you. Telephone us now on 08000 224 224 or complete one of our online compensation claim forms.
Over the years Thompsons' asbestos solicitors have helped many people suffering from asbestos related illnesses to fight for justice and claim the compensation they deserve. We have also fought with Trade Unions and the families of people affected by asbestos to change unfair laws.
We have published important stories within the News Desk section of our website and links to a selection of these can be found below:
2008
7th May 2008 - Grandfather, exposed to asbestos has been compensated by his former employers
29th April 2008 - Widow from Mold secures compensation after husband died from mesothelioma
15th April 2008 - Former shipyard worker from Liverpool is awarded compensation
15th April 2008 - Office Worker exposed to asbestos is awarded compensation
14th April 2008 - British Rail worker exposed to asbestos is awarded compensation
2nd April 2008 - Lung Cancer Victim awarded Compensation
27th March 2008 - MPs have vowed to help a group of mesothelioma sufferers and their families fight for fairer compensation for bereavement
25th March 2008 - A Yorkshire widow has won damages after her husband died from a devastating lung cancer caused by exposure to asbestos
19th March 2008 - Family of seamstress who died from mesothelioma appeal for information
7th March 2008 - Woman exposed to asbestos while working for a clothes factory when she was a teenager has been awarded more than £135,000 in compensation
29th February 2008 - The family of a sheeter who died from asbestos related disease mesothelioma face an agonising wait for compensation for his death
28th February 2008 - Compensation for Grandad who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma
27th February 2008 - New Fund launched to enable families to raise money in the name of a loved one who has been affected by mesothelioma
15th February 2008 - Former fitter exposed to asbestos is awarded compensation
11th February 2008 - The family of a woman who died from asbestos related mesothelioma has won a six-year battle for compensation
8th February 2008 - National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) to make chemotherapy drug Alimta available on the NHS
7th February 2008 - Scarborough widow in desperate bid to trace colleagues of tragic victim of asbestos
6th February 2008 - Did you work with asbestos in Barking or live there as a child?
4th February 2008 - A widow from Harwich has received a substantial undisclosed payment in compensation after her husband was exposed to asbestos in the workplace
1st February 2008 - Government called to reverse a House of Lords decision which ended the right to compensation for the asbestos related injury pleural plaques.
22nd January 2008 - Read an update published by Thompsons Solicitors about Landmark Legal Cases on Asbestos Compensation
21st January 2008 - Compensation for former Welder exposed to asbestos who developed Lung Cancer
17th January 2008 - Merseyside man suffering from asbestosis sues 4 former employers for £25,000
15th January 2008 - Did you work at Prudhoe hospital between 1971 and 1979?
14th January 2008 - Justice for families affected by asbestos DVD
2nd January 2008 - Retired Joiner diagnosed with Asbestosis
2007
21st December 2007 - The widow of a Portsmouth coppersmith has received a substantial six-figure compensation payment after her husband was exposed to asbestos
19th December 2007 - Increase in compensation for bereavement
13th December 2007 - The family of a man who died of mesothelioma has a substantial undisclosed payment in compensation.
3rd December 2007 - Pipe Fitter and Plumber exposed to asbestos
26th November 2007 - A step forward for life extending cancer drug, Alimta
9th November 2007 - Grandad exposed to asbestos during his work as a plumber for Wirral Borough Council
6th November 2007 - UNITE member awarded compensation after developing a deadly cancer after being exposed to asbestos in the workplace
17th October 2007 - Asbestos Victims Let Down By House of Lords Decision
12th October 2007 - Mesothelioma sufferers call for fairer compensation
10th October 2007 - Justice for families Affected by Asbestos
5th October 2007 - Delegation want to improve ship breaking standards in India
27th September 2007 - Shipbuilder from Hull is another victim of asbestos
26th September 2007 - Desperate bid to trace colleagues of tragic victim of asbestos
14th September 2007 - Alimta Appeal
13th September 2007 - Compensation for widow of a joiner who died of mesothelioma
11th September 2007 - Compensation after husband died from mesothelioma
10th September 2007 - TUC is supporting Thompsons Solicitors’ campaign, Justice for Asbestos Families
3rd September 2007 - Witness appeal by family of a man who died of asbestos related disease mesothelioma
10th August 2007 - Mesothelioma, the UK’s third fastest increasing cancer
9th August 2007 - Former workers of a North East company, who were exposed to asbestos at work, are being denied thousands of pounds in compensation
7th August 2007 - A man who was exposed to asbestos while working as steel erector has been compensated after developing an asbestos-related disease
2nd August 2007 - Thompsons calls for increase in compensation for victims of asbestos cancer
30th July 2007 - Compensation for mesothelioma victim
18th July 2007 - Victim of mesothelioma receives £160,000 compensation
10th July 2007 - Justice for families Affected by Asbestos
9th July 2007 - NICE to make mesothelioma drug Alimta available on the NHS
4th July 2007 - Mesothelioma victim's family calls for witnesses who worked at Stanton and Staveley
22nd June 2007 - Asbestos-Related Pleural Plaques Appeal in the House of Lords
21st June 2007 - The family of a former British Rail worker has won compensation following his death from an asbestos-related disease
20th June 2007 - New Bill to assist mesothelioma victims
12th June 2007 - Desperate bid to trace co-workers of tragic victim of asbestos
11th June 2007 - Campaign to achieve justice for families affected by asbestos
29th May 2007 - Former electrician's mate awarded compensation after developing mesothelioma
24th May 2007 - Justice for families affected by Asbestos
11th May 2007 - MP David Miliband has stepped in to help a former shipyard worker gain access to a compensation award
9th May 2007 - Increase in number of people who have died from mesothelioma
8th May 2007 - Desperate bid to trace co-workers of tragic victim of asbestos
3rd May 2007 - Compensation from a defunct asbestos company
27th April 2007 - Thompsons Solicitors has launched a petition to raise awareness of occupational cancer, mesothelioma, on Workers Memorial Day
23rd April 2007 - Families affected by the dangerous dust asbestos are being asked to find out more about the help and advice available to them at a meeting on Thursday, April 26
16th April 2007 - Justice for Asbestos Families
10th April 2007 - Thompsons Solicitors has successfully won compensation for a woman who was exposed to asbestos dust as a youngster
5th April 2007 - Thousands of dock workers across the UK are able to sue the Government for compensation after a court ruling yesterday (Wednesday, April 4)
3rd April 2007 - Workers who were exposed to deadly asbestos dust while repairing ships on the Tyne are being forced to wait for compensation payouts worth thousands of pounds
2nd April 2007 - Thompsons Solicitors has helped a widow obtain £295,000 in compensation after her husband was exposed to asbestos as a 15-year-old apprentice
27th March 2007 - The GMB Northern is urging its members to be aware of the dangers of asbestos in the workplace
16th March 2007 - Cornish man exposed to asbestos
15th March 2007 - Leyton man suffering from asbestos cancer in desperate attempt to track down former work colleagues
13th March 2007 - Thompsons welcomes Government's announcement that it will be extending state benefits to more mesothelioma victims
1st March 2007 - Compensation following exposure to dangerous asbestos fibres
27th February 2007 - National Action Mesothelioma Day
27th February 2007 - Action Mesothelioma Day DVD
23rd February 2007 - Leading trade union Amicus has secured compensation for the family of a former shipyard worker on Tyneside who died from mesothelioma
19th February 2007 - North East MP David Anderson is questioning the Department for Health over the future of mesothelioma drug Alimta
14th February 2007 - ASLEF member receives £23,500 for asbestos-related pleural thickening
8th February 2007 -
Feltham widow in desperate attempt to track down witnesses who worked at Watney’s Brewery following husband’s death from asbestos
2nd February 2007 -
Bailiffs to recover compensation for mesothelioma widow as insurer fails to pay on time
29th January 2007 - A Teesside widow is calling for her husband’s former work colleagues to get in touch after he died from an asbestos-related condition
22nd January 2007 - A North Yorkshire man has won a bid for compensation after he was exposed to deadly asbestos fibres as an apprentice
22nd January 2007 - A dedicated team of lawyers is working with trade union, the GMB, to ensure people suffering from asbestos related diseases in Cumbria can claim compensation
19th January 2007 - A final decision on an important chemotherapy drug, which could help scores of mesothelioma sufferers across the UK, may not be announced for another nine months
12th January 2007 - Essex pensioner awarded compensation following asbestos exposure
2006
21st December 2006 - The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (Nice) has dismissed an appeal on mesothelioma drug Alimta
15th December 2006 - British Rail forced to pay compensation as two former employees die from asbestos cancer mesothelioma
29th November 2006 -End insurer windfall in mesothelioma claims
29th November 2006 - Cadbury is sued following former employee’s death from asbestos cancer mesothelioma
28th November 2006 - Teeside asbestos widow has been awarded full compensation for her husband's death
23rd November 2006 - James Bond filmset at heart of asbestos compensation case
20th November 2006 - Ford and the MoD forced to pay compensation as former London plumber dies from asbestos cancer mesothelioma
17th November 2006 - Widow in desperate attempt to track down witnesses who worked at Brush following husband’s death from mesothelioma
13th November 2006 - Stratford widow in desperate bid to trace co-workers following husband’s tragic death from asbestos cancer
10th November 2006 - Insurers make widow wait as they squabble over payouts
9th November 2006 - Ford to pay over £100,000 compensation to former employee now dying from asbestos cancer
8th November 2006 - Deadly asbestos cancer finds new younger victims
31st October 2006 - Government acts with “compassion” on asbestos victims
20th October 2006 - Debate over whether asbestos bill should be paid in full
17th October 2006 - Asbestos victims and their families lobby Parliament for funding of Alimta for mesothelioma treatment
16th October 2006 - -Appeal to the Law Lords to reinstate compensation for pleural plaques sufferers
12th October 2006 - Former Yorkshire Water employee and GMB member secures £30,000 following asbestos exposure
12th October 2006 - MPs show support for continued access to life extending cancer drug
11th October 2006 - Five year freeze on asbestos compensation lifted
6th October 2006 - Compensation Act helps North West widow secure full compensation following husband’s death from mesothelioma
29th September 2006 - Law firm raises concerns over asbestos admin and legal fees
28th September 2006 - Funds raised for research into Mesothelioma
20th September 2006 - Derbyshire widow in desperate attempt to track insurers of local factory following husband’s death from asbestos
20th September 2006 - Insurers of local Foundry sought by Asbestos Victim
12th September 2006- Fair compensation for asbestos victims
8th September 2006 - T&N claimants vote for asbestos scheme
5th September 2006- Asbestos victims in final wait for compensation outcome
28th August 2006 - Campaign for life-extending drug, Alimta
18th August 2006 - Fundraising event for National Macmillan Mesothelioma Resource Centre
18th August 2006 - Grandmother lost four members of her family to asbestos related illnesses
15th August 2006 - Tenby family secure over £200,000 compensation for tragic victim of asbestos cancer
15th August 2006 - Shipyard worker helped to convince Prime Minsister to restore right to compensation for mesothelioma victims.
14th August 2006 - Hillingdon widow in bid to trace co-workers following husband’s tragic death from asbestos cancer
20th July 2006 - Compensation for Widow after husband died of asbestos-related illness, mesothelioma
20th July 2006 - Research into drug to extend Mesothelioma sufferers’ lives funded by North East Research Fund
19th July 2006 - Compensation for Mesothelioma Restored
13th July 2006 - Compensation for victims of asbestos
28th June 2006 - Widow speaks out about Government’s compassion for mesothelioma victims
20th June 2006 - Government shows real compassion, but must act for all victims, lawyers say.
16th June 2006 - Can you help Linda Carter?
13th June 2006 - Asbestos Register is Launched
13th June 2006 - Thompsons calls for swift action after Prime Minister's announcement on asbestos
7th June 2006 - Thompsons call for life-extending medicine to be available for mesothelioma victims
3rd May 2006 - Lords slash asbestos compensation (Also reported by the BBC at "Widows Lose Asbestos Court Ruling".
8th March 2006 - Widows face new asbestos challenge
23rd February 2006 - 5,000 North East residents sign Action Mesothelioma Petition
26th January 2006 - Pleural plaques test case ruling will deprive thousands of people of their right to compensation
Asbestos cancer drug postcode lottery victory, Insurers try to overturn 20 years of case law to halt asbestos payouts, Family of mesothelioma victim wins compensation, Desperate bid to trace co-workers of tragic victim of asbestos, NASAG recovers over £1 million in compensation for asbestos victims, Insurers fail in bid to stop compensation for thousands of asbestos victims, Desperate bid to trace co-workers of tragic victim of asbestos
Asbestos tragedy for wife who washed husband's clothes, Desperate bid to trace colleagues of tragic victim of asbestos, Asbestos warning for firefighters, Insurers' second challenge on asbestos compensation,
Royal and SunAlliance ruling partial victory for asbestos victims, Landmark settlement brings justice for thousands of SA former asbestos miners,
Lords restore justice to thousands of asbestos victims and widows,
Judges rob thousands of asbestos victims and widows of compensation, Asbestos campaigners welcome compensation deal, Collapsed insurance firm bounces asbestos victims' compensation cheques - future asbestos claims in jeopardy
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The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) - The information on this website will be of particular interest to employers, asbestos contractors and others with duties under asbestos regulations, together with those workers currently at greatest risk from exposure to asbestos.
The Asbestos Removal Contractors Association (ARCA) - is a non-profit trade association committed to promoting the growth and image of the UK’s asbestos abatement industry. ARCA is committed to working with enforcing authorities and member companies to strive for continuous improvement in standards, quality, safety and efficiency.
Cancer Research UK - provide a free information service about cancer and cancer care for people with cancer and their families. We believe that information about cancer should be freely available to all and written in a way that people can easily understand.
The British Lung Foundation - One person in seven in the UK is affected by a lung disease. Whether it's mild asthma or lung cancer, the British Lung Foundation is here for every one of them.
Directgov - General information about what to do if you find asbestos in your home and how to apply for an asbestos inspection.
The TUC / HSE have published a brief guide on asbestos and the regulations. It contains advice about what to do if you discover asbestos in your workplace.
To read information leaflets Thompsons have published about asbestos claims, visit 'Asbestos Related Diseases - Claiming Compensation' and 'Asbestos related diseases'.