Mesothelioma Compensation Claims

Mesothelioma Experts

Clear Answers' solicitors are experts when it comes to dealing with mesothelioma compensation claims and other types of asbestos related diseases. We understand the sensitive nature of this type of case and you will be treated with the utmost respect and sympathy throughout your dealings with us. We promise that we will strive to obtain the maximum amount of compensation for all our clients in the shortest possible timeframe.

If you decide to pursue a mesothelioma compensation claim with Clear Answers' personal injury solicitors we will provide you with:

Why Choose Clear Answers?

Clear Answers' solicitors have an impressive track record when it comes to taking on all types of mesothelioma compensation claims:

In addition Clear Answers' solicitors are able to offer further compensation claim advice to the families of mesothelioma sufferers or anyone who suspects that they or a member of their family may be suffering from or may have suffered from mesothelioma or any other asbestos related disease.

If you do have a mesothelioma query and you decide to instruct Clear Answers' 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 yourself. Telephone us now on 0800 783 9019 or complete one of our online claim enquiry forms.

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Time Limits For Making A Mesothelioma Compensation Claim

A personal injury claim for mesothelioma can be started at any time within three years of a sufferer being informed of their condition by an appropriately qualified doctor or within three years of their death. This is due to the fact that with these particular types of compensation cases, the time limit starts at the diagnosis of the victim's condition, rather than at the time at which the asbestos exposure occurred. It is possible to make claims relating to incidents or periods of employment dating back.

We have even succeeded in gaining compensation in some cases where the three year time limit referred to above has been missed so please seek advice even if you are not sure if this three year time limit will apply to your mesothelioma compensation claim.

Mesothelioma compensation claims can be made either someone suffering from the disease or by the family of someone who has died from mesothelioma.

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Mesothelioma Cases On The Rise

The symptoms of mesothelioma can become apparent anywhere between 20 and 50 years from the first exposure to asbestos and the number of people dying from this tragic illness is constantly on the rise. The annual number of deaths as a result of mesothelioma increased from 153 in 1968 to 1969 in 2004. These figures are expected to rise higher still; experts predict that by 2015 the annual number of deaths in the UK due to mesothelioma will hit 2450.

There are two main types of mesothelioma which are almost always caused by asbestos, they are:

Pleural Mesothelioma:
This is the most common type of mesothelioma making up of 75 per cent of all cases. This is a cancer of the cells around the lining of the lungs. These cells divide and spread and can affect other organs and tissue areas in the body.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma:
This type of mesothelioma affects the tissue lining in the abdominal area and is less common than the pleural form of the disease making up approximately 20 per cent of all cases.

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Clear Answers' Battle For Life-Extending Mesothelioma Drug

Clear Answers' expert mesothelioma lawyers, Thompsons Solicitors, supported the battle to make the life-extending drug Alimta available to mesothelioma sufferers on the NHS. Our solicitors took part in a successful campaign for the drug to be made available to patients with a clinical need for it in the North East of England. Regrettably since that breakthrough the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) decided that the beneficial effect that Alimta has on some mesothelioma sufferers was not cost effective.

In February 2008, NICE overturned that decision and made Alimta available throughout the NHS. Read more about this significant victory for those campaigning on behalf of mesothelioma sufferers and their family.

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Mesothelioma Client Comments

Clear Answers' Solicitors have helped numerous clients with their mesothelioma compensation claims. Below are a selection of client comments from people we have successfully represented:

Jean Ferguson wrote to us after we helped her to obtain compensation after her husband died of mesothelioma, she said:

"Thank you for the cheque for £4,133 which I have received and also for all the work that has been put in to get this compensation for Cyril. I know he would have been very grateful. I wish you and all your team all the best in your continuing efforts to help other mesothelioma sufferers and their families."

The son of a client Clear Answers' mesothelioma Solicitors successfully represented wrote in to say:

"On behalf of my family I would like to take this opportunity to thank yourself and Thompsons Solicitors for the high level of professionalism and diligence shown in the way you handled the claim in respect of my late father. We hope that claims such as this highlight the devastating effect of asbestos when its danger is underestimated by employers in the workplace."

Brenda Fleming, whose husband died due to mesothelioma wrote to say:

"Just a short note to acknowledge receipt of the final cheque in respect of Brian's mesothelioma. It will be three years next week since he died and sometimes I can hardly believe that he is gone forever. Thank you very much for the work you and your team have done."

Clear Answers' specialist mesothelioma solicitors acted for Mrs Plant and obtained compensation of £91,000.

Her husband was employed by ICI and worked in close proximity with colleagues who were removing asbestos lagging from pipework, furnaces, finishing machines and boilers and was therefore exposed on a regular basis to high levels of asbestos dust. He was then involved in removing the lagging himself which created large amounts of asbestos dust which would cover his overalls. At no stage was he provided with any respiratory protection whilst removing asbestos lagging.

An extract from her letter said: "Just a line to thank you very much for the work you put in to obtain the cheque I have received from ICI."

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Mesothelioma News Stories

March 2008
Alimta To Be Made Available On The NHS To Aid Mesothelioma Sufferers

November 2007
Thames Water forced to pay compensation after exposing pump worker to asbestos

September 2007
Renewed calls for further funding for research into Mesothelioma

September 2007
Alimta research study, funded by the Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund, urges more volunteers to come forward

August 2007
Mesothelioma Compensation case settled within eight weeks of instruction

April 2007
Workers Memorial Day
National Asbestos Campaign

February 2007
New figures show more than 90,000 people will die from mesothelioma in the coming decades
Alimta Ruling to be Discussed in Parliament

January 2007
Teeside Widow Seeking Husbands Former Colleagues
Compensation Victory Following Asbestos Exposure

December 2006
Alimta Appeal Rejected

November 2006
Compensation Victory After Workplace Asbestos Exposure
Tragic Mesothelioma Death For Former James Bond Film Set Employee
Compensation Victory After Tragic Death From Mesothelioma
Stratford widow seeking husband's co-workers after tragic death from mesothelioma
Mesothelioma Insurance Squabble
Ford Employee Awarded £100,000 In Compensation

October 2006
Government Acts With "Compassion" On Asbestos Victims
Alimta Campaigners To Lobby Parliament
Compensation Victory For Former Yorkshire Water Employee
Strong Support For Mesothelioma Drug
Asbestos Compensation Freeze Lifted

September 2006
Asbestos Compensation Victory
Turner and Newall Asbestos Compensation Vote
Unease Over Asbestos Legal Fees
Widow In Desparate Attempt To Track Burton Based Firm Sharps Brothers And Knights

June 2006
Government Set To Restore Right To Claim Full Compensation For Mesothelioma
Did You Work With David Carter in Poole?

May 2006
Compensation Cut for Deadly Asbestos Cancer, Mesothelioma

March 2006
Insurance Companies challenge right to compensation for Mesothelioma

February 2006
Three generations from one family in Wales wiped out by Mesothelioma
Action Mesothelioma Day

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Successful Mesothelioma Cases

Mesothelioma claims the life of man already suffering injuries from a previous accident at work
Still only in his late 50’s, one of our clients was devastated to learn that he was suffering from the asbestos-related disease, mesothelioma. Having already been classed as unfit to work following an accident at work some years earlier, our client now had to accept that his life was to be cut drastically short following another work-related illness. With a wife and two grown up children, he asked us to represent him to claim the mesothelioma compensation which he both deserved, and needed, to make sure his family was taken care of financially after his death.

Leaving school at 15, he had started work as an apprentice cabinetmaker, then spent some time in the Merchant Navy, before settling again in the UK. Working as carpenter’s mate, carpenter, handyman, mechanic and scenic painter, his work involved a variety of jobs and working conditions, several of which resulted in exposure to asbestos dust in a number of locations, and ultimately resulted in the development of the fatal mesothelioma.

His first exposure to asbestos fibres was during the installation of a roof to garages where asbestos corrugated sheet was used. His job involved cutting the asbestos sheet which released asbestos fibres into the air and which he then inhaled. He was also covered in the dust and frequently had to brush down his clothes during the day. On another occasion he was involved in the demolition of an old factory which contained asbestos sheeting. The factory was literally knocked to the ground and caused the asbestos to be broken and damaged, raising clouds of the dust and fibres into the air.

When his career later took him into the world of Film and TV as a scenic painter, our client was involved in working on sets for both these media, including many famous films. Many of these sets required flats to be created using asbestos sheets to provide fire protection. This frequently involved cutting the asbestos sheets, firstly manually, but later using power tools which increased the amount of dust generated. Although not directly involved in the cutting, our client was working in close proximity to these activities and as the debris was never cleared away, the dust was continually disturbed, causing ongoing exposure to the asbestos.

In none of these situations was our client warned by his various employers about the dangers of inhaling asbestos fibres, nor provided with any personal protective equipment. Neither was the working environment made safe by the installation of extraction equipment to clear the air of the dust.

Diagnosed in 2003, our client suffered lung collapse and had to undergo drainage procedures. X-rays and a biopsy confirmed his condition was the asbestos-related disease, mesothelioma. Towards the end, he was unable to walk or even sleep well, and he had to use oxygen as he needed it.

Sadly our client died before his mesothelioma compensation claim was resolved. Although Court proceedings were issued, in the days before trial, settlement was agreed and our specialist mesothelioma lawyers were able to negotiate a substantial sum to ensure his family were financially secure.

Compensation claim completed within 3 months for dying mesothelioma victim.
Like many who succumb to the devastating disease, mesothelioma, our client had lived a full and active life until struck down. Once diagnosed, this industrial disease moves swiftly to claim its victim. In this case, once the diagnosis was made, it was estimated that our client probably had little more than a year to live.

Although he had suffered other health problems over the years, our client had been active since his retirement. He played golf, was a keen walker and played badminton. As time went on, he found he had difficulty with his breathing and he tired easily. A visit to his GP initially suggested his previous health problems were the cause, but further check-ups revealed that this was not the case - and there appeared to be fluid on his lungs, a frequent symptom of asbestos related diseases. Following an x-ray, he was admitted to hospital where they attempted to drain his lungs.

This was not entirely successful, but he was allowed home briefly after a few days. He was re-admitted a short time later in order that pleuradesis and biopsy procedures could be carried out and they improved his condition temporarily. However, it was soon confirmed that he was suffering from the work related illness, mesothelioma. On his release from hospital, his daughter was able to provide care and support during the day, but he was fiercely protective of his independence. He had been advised not to drive and greatly missed this pleasure.

Starting his working life as an apprentice welder, rising through fitter / turner to engineer, our client finally rose to a supervisory position. He worked for a number of employers over the years and also served in the Navy during the war, but our client only suffered exposure to asbestos by one of these employers. Once confirmed, our mesothelioma lawyers pressed hard for an admission of liability so that they could bring the case for mesothelioma compensation to a successful conclusion in time for our client to benefit personally in the time he had left.

Our client had worked alongside other trades who were directly involved in working with asbestos, and it was there that he was exposed to asbestos fibres. Laggers would be fitting or replacing asbestos lagging to pipes, which was cut using a handsaw in order to get around the bends. It made a fine white dust which all in the confined areas would inhale. If there were a leak in the pipes, our client would have to remove the asbestos by knocking it off with a hammer. It would crumble off into pieces on the floor. This occurred regularly and even when not engaged in that activity, the laggers would be working alongside or above our client, showering him and colleagues from above with asbestos dust.

As only one defendant was involved, our specialist asbestos solicitors were able to negotiate a settlement of £90,000 in mesothelioma compensation for our client. Because of our experience of dealing with asbestos related cases, our asbestos solicitor was aware of the need for urgency and this case was finalised only 3 months after the diagnosis of mesothelioma was confirmed.

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Mesothelioma Useful Website Links

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Mesothelioma Compensation Claim

If you or your family have been affected by mesothelioma or any other asbestos related disease and would like some advice about how to make a personal injury compensation claim contact Clear Answers' solicitors on 0800 783 9019 or complete one of our online compensation claim forms.

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