The first step in making a claim is to reach out to our team. We’ll hold an initial consultation, during which we’ll discuss the specifics of your asbestos exposure and provide you with a clear understanding of what you can expect from a compensation claim.

We’ll start gathering evidence to support your argument. This evidence may include medical records, incident reports, testimonies from witnesses and any relevant communications with the parties or organisations responsible for your asbestos exposure. If you’ve spent or lost money as a result of your illness, we can also use evidence that demonstrates your spending and costs to claim these back as part of your compensation settlement.

Once we have compiled a strong case on your behalf, we’ll contact the responsible party or their insurance provider to notify them of your claim.

In many personal injury cases, the defendant accepts responsibility and compensation negotiations begin, without the need for a trial. Our team will work to secure a fair and just settlement on your behalf. However, if the defendant disputes your claim, we may need to escalate the matter to court.

While most asbestos compensation claims are resolved through negotiations, some need court intervention if defendants do not accept liability. In these cases, you can trust our expertise to present your evidence effectively, represent you in court and advocate for your rights throughout the legal proceedings.

Upon the successful resolution of your claim, we’ll make sure that the responsible party fulfils their obligation by compensating you for the pain, suffering and losses you’ve endured due to asbestos exposure and negligence.

There are a few ways that you can claim compensation for asbestos exposure. If you have developed an asbestos-related disease, and this was due to someone else's negligence (in most cases, an employer), you may be entitled to claim.

Diseases related to asbestos include:

• Asbestosis: a chronic lung condition caused by prolonged exposure to asbestos fibres.
• Mesothelioma: an aggressive cancer that develops in the lining of the lungs or abdomen, mesothelioma is almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure.
• Lung cancer: asbestos exposure can lead to lung cancer, although you will need evidence linking the disease to the exposure to claim compensation.
• Pleural thickening and pleural plaques: pleural plaques are a type of scar tissue on the lungs, while pleural thickening refers to a build-up of this tissue in a way that thickens the lining of the lungs. This restricts lung function and may be linked to other asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma.

Employers owe their employees a duty of care. They must conduct thorough risk assessments to determine the likelihood of asbestos exposure in scenarios where this is possible. Then, they should take whatever actions are possible to minimise the risk of exposure. If your employer failed to provide a safe working environment, ignored health and safety regulations, or did not inform you about the risks of asbestos, this is negligence. If you experienced an asbestos-related illness as a result, you may be entitled to make an asbestos claim for compensation.

Even if you were self-employed, you can still claim if you can demonstrate that your exposure was due to working conditions in a specific environment or from specific contracts. This is especially relevant if you worked in industries like construction, shipbuilding, or manufacturing, whether as an employee or a self-employed contractor. If you cannot trace an employer or insurer (because the exposure happened a long time ago, for example) you may be entitled to claim under the Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme (DMPS). This scheme enables people to make mesothelioma claims even when they cannot claim from the negligent party. However, you should take advice from your legal team before submitting scheme claims through the Department for Work and Pensions (like the DMPS) as it may prevent a claim against a party who might later be traced.

Asbestos claims are not only possible when you were exposed at work. If you were exposed to asbestos through the use of products or materials that contained asbestos and the manufacturer did not adequately warn you, you might be entitled to asbestos compensation. Check with our specialist asbestos solicitors today to learn how we can help.

To support a claim for an asbestos-related illness, you'll need to gather evidence. Your evidence should prove that you were exposed to asbestos dust or fibres, that you became ill as a result, and that an employer or another party was negligent in their duty to protect you. You don't have to do this all yourself - your solicitor will help to gather as much evidence as possible to build the strongest case.

The initial evidence will be medical documents. Your medical records will contain any formal medical diagnosis of an asbestos-related disease, with details of your symptoms, treatment, and progression of the disease. This could include X-rays, CT scans, biopsy results, and records of any treatments, and reports from pulmonologists, oncologists, or other specialists. We may arrange for an independent medical expert to examine you and prove the link between your condition and asbestos exposure. The specific details will depend on whether you have asbestosis, mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer or another illness, but your solicitor will help with this part of the process.

For product liability cases , we'll need documentation showing that the materials or products you worked with contained asbestos. This could include product manuals, labels, or invoices. Evidence that the manufacturer did not provide adequate warnings about the dangers of asbestos in their products, or that the warnings were insufficient, can also support a claim.

If asbestos exposure happened at work , we'll need documents showing your employment history, the companies you worked for, your job roles, and the duration of your employment. Pay slips, contracts, or employment letters can be useful in this regard. We need to prove that you worked in an environment where asbestos was a prominent risk, such as construction, shipbuilding, or factories where asbestos was used. Any evidence that asbestos was present in your workplace, such as internal company documents, safety records, or statements from health and safety inspections, can help.

We also need to show evidence of negligence, including any records showing that your employer did not follow the necessary health and safety regulations related to asbestos handling and exposure. This might include a lack of personal protective equipment (PPE), inadequate training, or failure to inform workers of the risks. If the employer violated health and safety laws, there may be documentation from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). There may also be evidence from within the company, such as incident reports detailing how asbestos was disturbed or improperly handled, or that safety protocols were not followed.

Statements from former colleagues can confirm that asbestos was present and that you were exposed during your work. These witness statements can also indicate negligence - a lack of PPE can be difficult to prove without evidence from former colleagues or supervisors, for example. We may also bring in doctors or other independent experts to provide statements and give evidence. For example, occupational health experts can provide opinions on the level of asbestos exposure in your workplace and the likelihood that it contributed to your illness.

As well as proving that you suffered an asbestos-related illness due to your employer's (or a manufacturer's) negligence, evidence can help to determine how much compensation you're owed. Your account of how you were exposed to asbestos and the effects of your illness on your life can help us with this. Statements from family members or colleagues who saw the situation unfold can also corroborate your statement, and input from people you know who experienced similar exposure can offer further support.

Finally, evidence of any financial losses can indicate how much compensation you're owed. This includes everything from medical expenses, to transportation to and from related appointments, to lost earnings if you had to take time off work (or were left unable to work) due to your condition. Any evidence you can provide will help to make sure your compensation claim is a success, and that you receive the maximum amount of compensation you're owed.

We've outlined the claims process above, but speaking to a solicitor is the most important first step in launching an asbestos claim. The team at Switalskis has a wealth of expertise in personal injury compensation claims, and we can provide a specialist asbestos solicitor who understands what you're going through. Any asbestos illness is scary and you need more than just legal support. We're trained to help you emotionally, not just in legal terms, and we'll take on the bulk of the responsibility for your case so you can focus on your loved ones.

When you call us, we'll talk about your experience and can let you know whether we think you have a claim. Some asbestos claims are relatively clear-cut, but others can be complicated. Nevertheless, our asbestos lawyers will work tirelessly to secure the maximum compensation that you're entitled to. We can work on a no win, no fee basis, which means there is no financial risk to you even if your claim is unsuccessful.

The only thing to do before you contact us is gather as much evidence as you can. Note down your experiences of your asbestos-related condition, and note down contact details from anyone you think might be able to give a statement. Make sure you've been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease by a doctor, and find any documents related to your employment (or the relevant product, if the exposure was not at work). Try to gather any correspondence you've had with your employer (or the manufacturer) at the time of the exposure, or more recently if you've kept in touch.

If you've claimed under the Pneumoconiosis etc. (Workers’ Compensation) Act 1979, the 2008 diffuse mesothelioma scheme or the DMPS, you may need to provide evidence of this.

Asbestosis is a chronic lung condition caused by prolonged inhalation of asbestos fibres, which can lead to scarring of the lung tissue and long-term respiratory problems. Those most at risk of developing asbestosis are people who have been exposed to significant amounts of asbestos over an extended period, typically at work. The risk of developing asbestosis increases with the length of time and the amount of asbestos a person was exposed to, which is why occupational exposure to asbestos is the most common scenario.

The use of asbestos in the UK peaked between the 1950s and the 1970s. People who worked in relevant industries during this time period are at higher risk, as asbestos regulations and safety measures were less stringent or, in some cases, non-existent. However, because asbestosis and other related diseases can take years to develop, some people don't find out until much later.

While asbestos is no longer used, there is still a risk of exposure in some jobs. Workers involved in the renovation or demolition of older buildings that still contain asbestos may be at risk if proper safety measures are not taken. Naturally, anyone directly involved in handling or disposing of asbestos materials is at risk without following proper safety protocols.

If you've worked in any of the following areas, you may have been exposed to asbestos and may now be at risk of developing asbestos-related conditions like asbestosis.

• Construction workers: people who work in construction, particularly those involved in the demolition, renovation, or maintenance of buildings, are at higher risk. Asbestos was commonly used in building materials such as insulation, roofing, and tiles, and may still be found in older buildings.
• Insulators: workers who installed or removed asbestos insulation in buildings, industrial plants, and ships are among those at the highest risk.
• Railway workers: those involved in the construction and maintenance of railway lines may be at risk because asbestos was used in insulation for locomotives and other railway equipment.
• Tradespeople: workers like plumbers, electricians and carpenters may have worked with materials containing asbestos, especially during repairs or renovations, and are at significant risk.
• Automotive workers: mechanics who worked with brake linings, clutches, and other automotive parts may be at risk, especially if they were involved in grinding or cutting these components, as they sometimes contained asbestos.
• Firefighters: firefighters may be exposed to asbestos during fires in older buildings with asbestos-containing materials. These materials can become airborne during a fire and heighten this risk.
• Shipyard workers: asbestos was widely used in shipbuilding for insulation and fireproofing. Shipyard workers, especially those who worked in confined spaces, are at high risk.
• Manufacturing workers: people who worked in factories that produced asbestos-containing products - which have included textiles, cement, brake linings, and many other products - are also at high risk.

Family members of workers who handled asbestos may be at risk if they were exposed to asbestos fibres brought home on work clothes. Similarly, people living near asbestos mines or factories that produced asbestos products might have been exposed to airborne asbestos fibres without knowing it. If you spent time in a building constructed with asbestos materials - such as a school - you could be at risk, especially if those materials were damaged or deteriorating.

Asbestosis typically develops after many years of exposure, and symptoms may not appear until decades after the exposure occurred. It is crucial for anyone who believes they were exposed to asbestos, especially in high-risk occupations, to seek regular medical check-ups and be aware of the symptoms of asbestosis and other asbestos-related diseases. If you are diagnosed with an asbestos-related condition like asbestosis, speak to our specialist team about asbestosis claims for compensation.

A "no win, no fee" claim is made under a conditional fee agreement, which is a type of legal arrangement where you do not have to pay your solicitor's fees if your claim is unsuccessful. This arrangement is commonly used in personal injury cases, including asbestos-related claims. 

We'll offer a free initial consultation to discuss the merits of your case. During this meeting, our specialist solicitors will assess whether your claim has a reasonable chance of success and explain the no win, no fee agreement in detail. If you have a case and you want to move ahead, we'll give you a conditional fee agreement that outlines the terms. Your legal fees are paid as a percentage of your compensation, which means there's nothing to pay upfront and we're incentivised to secure the maximum compensation for you. 

If your case is unsuccessful, you won't need to pay these legal expenses, but this doesn't mean there's nothing to pay. Costs associated with the case, such as court fees, expert witness fees, and costs for medical reports may still need to be paid. You can secure an insurance policy against this outcome and our solicitors will advise you of all the relevant options before your claim goes ahead.