Five things you should know about asbestos
THE number of people being diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases is growing. According to the Health and Safety Executive, there are now more than 5,000 deaths in Britain each year from asbestos diseases including: mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. That’s double the annual fatalities as a result of road traffic accidents.
Phillip Gower, a specialist asbestos disease solicitor from Novum Law in Cardiff, outlines five things you should know about asbestos and its dangers and what you should do if you or a family member has been affected:
1. What is asbestos?
People often think of asbestos as a single material, but it is the name given to a group of naturally occurring, fire and heat-resistant minerals. In the UK, white asbestos (chrysotile), brown asbestos (amosite) and blue asbestos (crocidolite) were once widely used to provide insulation, fire prevention, roofing and flooring in industries such as: shipbuilding, construction, oil refineries, car manufacturing and power plants. It was banned in the UK in 1999 due to its links to serious illnesses, including cancer.
2. Asbestos is dangerous when it is disturbed or damaged
Asbestos is only a risk to human health when it is disturbed or damaged and its fibres are released into the air. These tiny, microscopic particles are breathed into the lungs where they can become trapped. Over long periods of time, these fibres can cause inflammation, scarring and illness.
3. It can take several decades for diseases to develop
It can take many years for asbestosrelated diseases to develop – sometimes up to 60 years after exposure. The majority of cases are people in their 60s and 70s who were exposed in the workplace decades ago. They are often diagnosed when their symptoms, such as breathlessness or a persistent cough, worsen.
4. You may be able to make a compensation claim
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, you may be able to make a compensation claim. This will compensate you for any reduced quality of life; past and future losses, including earnings; any care that family members are providing; additional purchases relating to your disease (for example, mobility aids); any travel expenses to hospital or GP appointments and other associated costs.
You may also be able to make a claim if a loved one you were financially dependent on has passed away. 5. It is vital to seek expert legal advice
It is important to contact an experienced asbestos disease solicitor if you or a family member has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, asbestosis or pleural thickening. Only a specialist solicitor has the experience and expertise to help you secure maximum compensation.
Novum Law has experts in asbestos disease compensation claims and can help even if you or your loved one doesn’t know how you were exposed to asbestos or when it happened. In addition, they can help and advise on any state benefits you may be entitled to and assist you in claiming these benefits.
■ Based in Cardiff, Novum Law can help on a no-win, no-fee basis. Call us on: 029 2097 2070 or email pgower@novumlaw.com.