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Personal Injury Claims For Asbestos-Induced Lung Cancer

Experts In Asbestos-Related Compensation Claims

Clear Answers' lawyers will ensure that the compensation claim process will be cost-free for you and the insurers of the organisation responsible for your injury or condition will pay our legal fees. You will receive 100% of your compensation if you choose to instruct Clear Answers to represent you in your asbestos-induced lung cancer compensation claim.

We have a proven record of our commitment to fight for your rights and compensation. Our expert asbestos lawyers have won important decisions in the UK courts, at the highest level, winning compensation for victims of all asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis and pleural thickening.

Please ring us on 0800 783 9019 and speak to one of our advisers if you or a family member is suffering or has suffered an asbestos-related disease. Alternatively, a representative will contact you as soon as possible if you complete one of our on-line compensation claim forms.

To find out more about Clear Answers' expertise in fighting asbestos induced lung cancer compensation claims, please select one of the links below:

The Risk Of Developing Asbestos-Induced Lung Cancer
Time Limits For Making A Compensation Claim After Exposure to Asbestos
What Will Our Lawyers Do?
Cases That We Have Successfully Fought For Asbestos-Related Lung Cancer Victims
Asbestos-Related News Stories
Asbestos-Induced Lung Cancer Compensation Claims

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The Risk Of Developing Asbestos-Induced Lung Cancer

There is a proven association between asbestos exposure and lung cancer, just as there is with smoking. In fact, people exposed to asbestos who also smoke cigarettes face a level of risk far higher than that which they would face from either smoking or inhaling asbestos dust alone.

According to statistics produced by the Health And Safety Executive (HSE), lung cancer was a rare disease before the early part of the 20th century. In most countries, it has now become the most common malignant disease, with almost 30,000 estimated new cases each year in the UK. Whilst tobacco consumption is acknowledged as the primary cause, for smokers who also worked with asbestos, the risk of developing lung cancer can be 50 times greater than for the general population.

It can take between 20 and 40 years after exposure for asbestos-induced lung cancer to develop and the exact number of lung cancer victims who have developed this disease through exposure to asbestos is difficult to determine. However, also according to the HSE, the instances are significantly higher in people who worked in industries where historically the use of asbestos without adequate controls was prevalent, such as construction and shipbuilding.

For more information on the links between asbestos and lung cancer, visit the Health And Safety Executive site to view their report on 'The burden of Occupational Cancer in Great Britain', published in 2007.

Although there is rarely any doubt that asbestos causes mesothelioma, it is often more difficult to prove that asbestos was the cause of individual cases of lung cancer. It is generally accepted by the medical profession that lung cancer is caused by asbestos when the fibrotic lung disease asbestosis is also present. When asbestosis is not present it may still be possible to prove that lung cancer was caused by asbestos provided that the sufferer had a history of prolonged or heavy exposure to asbestos at work or if a sufficient quantity of asbestos fibres are detected in samples of lung tissue on post mortem.

For sufferers with a history of smoking, the position is more complex. It is well known that smoking is a risk factor for the development of lung cancer. However, if a person has smoked and been exposed to asbestos, the risks of developing lung cancer are multiplied.

Asbestos-related lung cancer is recognised by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) as an Industrial Disease, and sufferers may be entitled to Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit, and a payment under the Pneumoconiosis scheme, subject to meeting certain eligibility criteria. Lung cancer sufferers may also be able to claim compensation from a former employer or insurer if it can be proved that their condition was caused by asbestos.

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Time Limits For Making A Compensation Claim After Exposure to Asbestos

Normally the time limit for bringing a personal injury claim for an asbestos-related disease such as lung cancer is three years. However, because of the extended period over which the disease may develop, (the onset of asbestos-induced lung cancer can occur decades after the initial exposure to asbestos dust or asbestos fibres) the 3 year period begins when the person has reason to believe they have developed the disease. Typically, this is usually from the time the diagnosis is confirmed by an appropriately qualified doctor, such as a chest consultant.

In the event of the victim’s death, the family must bring the claim for asbestos compensation within three years from the date of death or the date when they become aware that the death was caused by an asbestos-related disease, whichever date is the later. The cause of death is often confirmed by post mortem examination or at a Coroner’s inquest.

It is always best to seek advice without delay.

Please contact our specialist team of asbestos lawyers on 0800 783 9019, who will be happy to advise whether you have a valid personal injury claim for asbestos-related lung cancer compensation. Alternatively, complete one of our online compensation claim forms and a representative will contact you as soon as possible.

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What Will Our Lawyers Do?

Asbestos-related compensation claims can be very complicated personal injury claims that require sensitive and efficient handling. Clear Answers’ solicitors can offer expert free advice as they are proven specialists in all types of personal injury claims linked with exposure to asbestos dust.

Our expert teams of asbestos solicitors have the experience to trace companies that may have gone out of business decades ago and identify their insurers. Claims often require investigation into many different employers and tracking them down may require a lot of careful and painstaking work, but it is vital in determining who should pay the asbestos-related compensation.

We have access to leading barristers and other specialists to help substantiate your claim for asbestos compensation, for example, medical experts and consulting engineers. Clear Answers’ solicitors have extensive experience in fighting all types of asbestos-related disease claims and have been successful in securing personal injury compensation for thousands of clients, including many who suffer from asbestos-related lung cancer.

You may be able to make a claim for asbestos-induced lung cancer if you are suffering from the disease, or are a relative of someone who has died from this asbestos-related disease.

Clear Answers' lawyers will investigate your claim for you, and use their vast experience in dealing with asbestos injury claims to pursue your claim in the most effective way possible.

Please visit our section on information and advice for more details on making a personal injury compensation claim.

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Cases That We Have Successfully Fought For Asbestos-Related Lung Cancer Victims

Clear Answers' solicitors have extensive experience in dealing with all types of asbestos-related compensation claims, including many for sufferers of asbestos-related lung cancer, and we have very many satisfied clients. Below are details of just one example of a successful compensation claim.

Alternatively, please visit our main asbestos compensation page to read about other successful asbestos-related compensation claims.

Widower Brings Compensation Claim After Developing Asbestos-Related Lung Cancer

In his 80’s, our client had previously thought himself fortunate not to have developed an asbestos-related disease, as he knew he had been negligently exposed to asbestos dust for many years. Sadly, this was not the case and as asbestos cancers can take decades to develop, his condition was only diagnosed following a routine medical check-up for an unrelated condition.

He had mentioned that he was concerned when coughing, and was sent for a chest x-ray which confirmed he was suffering from asbestos-induced lung cancer. Our client underwent several procedures to try to improve his condition, and establish the most appropriate method of treatment. These exploratory procedures included a bronchoscopy, which was carried out under local anaesthetic, and a lung biopsy. Unfortunately, the tumour had spread such that it made surgery impossible, so a course of radiotherapy was arranged.

He asked for compensation claim advice from our asbestos solicitors who specialise in all types of asbestos-related diseases. Tragically, our client died of lung cancer caused by asbestos before the asbestos claim could be completed, but the case was continued on behalf of his children and grandchildren.

Throughout his working life, our client had worked in and around asbestos. When he first left school he was employed to undertake lagging and insulating work where he was required to mix powdered white asbestos and apply the resultant paste as new insulation material; cut brown asbestos insulation material to size and apply it as new insulation material, and he worked in close proximity to others undertaking that same work.

The conditions in which he worked were dominated by asbestos, which was stored in the area in which he worked. The air was full of asbestos dust and fibres that could be clearly seen when the sun shone. At times, the volume of asbestos dust was so great that he and his colleagues, all of whom were young men, would play with it as if it were snow.

In these early years, our client and his colleagues were required to provide their own overalls. The asbestos dust would cover them, and he would then travel home in them where they would be washed.

After WWII, our client returned to the area and worked in the maintenance area of the locomotive works. His job was to repair and maintain steam pipes throughout the works, removing asbestos lagging from pipe work to gain access for the repairs. He later moved to maintenance of steam cranes that also required the removal of asbestos lagging from the crane’s pipes and boilers.

For many of his working years he operated a milling machine, which was used to mill (or grind down) asbestos blocks or pads for various uses. This generated enormous quantities of asbestos dust, which was blown away using an air line, causing the asbestos dust to blow around the workshop where he inhaled it in large quantities.

Neither of these employers provided our client with advice about the dangers of asbestos exposure, the possibility of developing asbestos-related diseases, or what precautions he should take to protect himself. Nor did they provide any protective equipment such as masks or gloves, which would have helped to minimise the risk to our client. During his many years operating the milling machine, no extraction equipment was fitted, which might also have minimised the risk to our client.

During the course of this claim for compensation for asbestos exposure, one of the two defendants admitted liability for our client’s exposure to asbestos dust, which resulted in his development of an asbestos-related disease. They made an offer of almost £100,000 in lung cancer compensation for our client. Tragically, this offer came shortly after our client had passed away, but was accepted on his behalf by his executors.

The life expectancy of those suffering from any fatal asbestos-related disease can be quite short once the diagnosis is made. Clear Answers’ specialist asbestos lawyers recognise the importance of concluding these asbestos claims as quickly as possible, so that the victim has the benefit of the asbestos exposure compensation and the knowledge that their loved ones will be taken care of financially after they have gone.

The compensation for this client was agreed only six months after receiving the initial instructions to pursue a claim for lung cancer compensation.

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Asbestos-Related News Stories

Clear Answers' solicitors deal with a large number of asbestos-related disease cases each year. Details of some of these cases can be found on our Asbestos Claims page.

Alternatively, you can visit our News Section to view stories of successful asbestos-related compensation claims and all types of personal injury accident compensation claims that Clear Answers' solicitors have been involved in.

Here is just one example of a successful asbestos-related lung cancer compensation claim which we have dealt with recently.

Widow awarded asbestos-related lung cancer compensation

After more than 40 years of marriage, our client was robbed of the support and company of her husband and lifelong partner when he developed asbestos-related lung cancer and tragically died only a year after diagnosis.

Whilst money can never compensate for the loss of a loved one, our specialist team of asbestos lawyers were able to secure over £160,000 in damages for our client.
More about Widow awarded asbestos-related lung cancer compensation

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Asbestos-Induced Lung Cancer Compensation Claims

Clear Answers’ lawyers have a reputation for obtaining the maximum personal injury compensation for people who suffer from an asbestos-related disease as a result of negligence by an employer or someone else. Our teams of experts, specialising in asbestos-related claims, are waiting to help you should you decide to instruct us to represent you in your asbestos-induced lung cancer claim. We will be happy to provide you with expert legal advice, to answer any questions you may have regarding your personal injury claim and to talk you through the claims process in plain English.

The entire service will be cost-free for you, win or lose. If your claim for asbestos compensation is successful, the person responsible for your condition, or their insurers, will pay our legal fees. You will receive 100% of your compensation if you choose to instruct Clear Answers.

Please ring us on 0800 783 9019 and speak to one of our advisers if you or a family member is suffering or has suffered an asbestos-related disease. Alternatively, a representative will contact you as soon as possible if you complete one of our on-line compensation claim forms.

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