What Is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Our solicitors understand that this condition will have a huge effect on your life and the lives of those close to you. If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, our lawyers could help you claim compensation.
The condition most commonly affects the lining of the lung (pleura), but mesothelioma can develop in the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum) and the heart (pericardium).
Can I Claim Mesothelioma Compensation?
Many of our clients have developed mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos at work decades previously, so you can trust our experience to investigate your employment history and track down those responsible for your illness. We can also help you make a claim through the Government’s Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme if you’re unable to find the employer responsible for your condition.
How Much Mesothelioma Compensation Can I Claim?
Mesothelioma compensation amounts can vary, but we take into account a number of factors when calculating your claim. We'll look at the impact of the illness on your life, as well as your loss of income and any care costs. You may also be able to make a claim for 'dependency' if a loved one - someone you were financially dependent on - has passed away from mesothelioma.
- In 1995, we represented June Hancock in the first ever environmental asbestos case. June’s case was the first of its kind. It extended a company’s duty of care to those affected by secondary exposure to asbestos, not just its employees. Adrian Budgen successfully represented June and secured £4.37m compensation for her - the highest ever award for an industrial disease or fatal injury case at the time
- We can secure hospice care costs as part of a client’s compensation settlement. We have recovered over £600,000 for hospice care since 2018.
Are There Time Limits For Making A Mesothelioma Claim?
You’ll normally have three years to make a claim from the date you were diagnosed with mesothelioma. If you want to claim on behalf of a loved one who has sadly died because of mesothelioma, you’ll have three years to make a claim from the date of the death or from the point where a post-mortem revealed asbestos exposure as the cause of death.
Asbestos-related diseases often take decades to develop but we could still help you make a claim. We could help you act against your former employer, even if you haven’t worked there for a long time, or if they’ve ceased trading.
Why Choose Irwin Mitchell?
We’ve helped many people with mesothelioma claims after a diagnosis of the asbestos-related disease – we’re very familiar with the symptoms of mesothelioma and the issues you’ll be facing with your loved ones.
We also understand all the legal ramifications for someone with this debilitating disease and how we can help you access much-needed compensation. Our solicitors will work hard to make sure your quality of life is the best it can be, and that your family’s financial future is secure.
Our Work With Mesothelioma Charities
We work with a number of local and national mesothelioma charities. Our support team is unique in that they are there for you, not just through your legal claim but to help with rehabilitation, finding local care services, understanding benefits available to you and more.
Mesothelioma UK are dedicated to providing free specialist information, support, care and treatment for those suffering with asbestos-related diseases.
We work closely with the charity, and are listed as recommended legal support for those looking for compensation and additional support.
As well as a number of local charities, we’re a proud supporter of the:
- Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation
- June Hancock Mesothelioma Research Fund
- Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund
We also recently represented the Forum of Asbestos Support Groups in the Supreme Court.
Listen to our podcast where our client, lawyer, and rehab team are joined by Sue Ryder to share personal experiences of grief, how to support someone's who's grieving, and the support that's available:
Can I Make A No Win No Fee Claim?
A No Win No Fee agreement means that you don’t have to pay any upfront fees when you make an asbestos claim.* And if your claim doesn’t succeed, you won’t have to pay anything at all.
What happens if your claim does succeed depends on what type of claim you make:
- For mesothelioma claims – you keep 100% of your compensation.
- For asbestosis, asbestos-related lung cancer, pleural thickening, and pleural plaque claims – we don't ask you to make any contribution to your legal costs but you will need to pay the litigation insurance premium from your compensation if you win the case.
This is because in 2012, the UK government decided that mesothelioma is so serious that the normal No Win No Fee rules shouldn’t apply.
Contact Us
We encourage you to contact us as soon as you’re diagnosed, even if you’re not sure when you were exposed to asbestos. We can help you identify at what point you were exposed and will help you make a claim against your present or past employer.
Handled landmark asbestos cases in the High Court
No Win, No Fee*
UK's largest team of asbestos solicitors
Advice on benefit eligibility
Call us for a free initial consultation
0800 056 4110
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