Asbestos was widely used in all areas of manufacturing, building, and infrastructure before it was discovered that the substance is severely hazardous to human health.
However, as asbestos fibres can remain in the lungs for up to 40 years, victims of asbestos exposure may not see any symptoms for decades. It is estimated that despite being a ban being placed on the use of the substance many years ago, asbestos-related illness will reach its peak in 2030.
Asbestos-related disease can cause terrible suffering, and workers who were exposed to asbestos must be compensated. In this post, we look at some key employers and industries with a high level of asbestos exposure, past cases, and their policies and procedures for asbestos compensation.
Asbestos exposure claims against the Ministry of Defence
The armed forces used asbestos in construction and shipbuilding as a result of its non-flammable nature and heat resistant properties. However, this means that in the past fifty years, thousands of Ministry of Defence (MoD) workers have come into contact with the harmful substance. The law relating to asbestos compensation for MoD personnel has changed. Previously, any veteran suffering an illness or injury that was caused before 1987 could not bring a claim against the MoD as a result of Crown Immunity.
As of April 2016, those who have contracted mesothelioma as a result of exposure to asbestos during time served in the army, navy or air force are entitled to compensation. Under the Mesothelioma Act 2014, any veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma may be entitled to a lump sum of compensation of £140,000 or a War Pension. Our industrial disease lawyers can assist you in making a claim and providing evidence to support your claim.
Asbestos Exposure Claims Against the Royal Navy
One of the biggest MoD industries using asbestos in their operations was the Royal Navy. Many navy personnel were exposed to asbestos not only during the shipbuilding process but while working in the boiler rooms of vessels. Asbestos was routinely used to insulate the pipes following World War II. Researchers at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) have estimated that more than 2,500 Royal Navy veterans will die from mesothelioma in the next 30 years, as a result of asbestos exposure. As outlined above, under the Mesothelioma Act 2014, any Royal Navy veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma may be entitled to a lump sum of compensation of £140,000 or a War Pension. Our lawyers can assist you in bringing a claim, and in providing evidence to support your claim.
Asbestos exposure claims against British Rail
British Rail has been providing compensation to victims of asbestos exposure for more than 30 years. Courts regularly hear cases from former maintenance engineers and fitters who were exposed to asbestos while installing or stripping asbestos insulation, which was used right up until the 1980s.
In the past, the process of bringing a claim against British Rail has been slow. Workers diagnosed with asbestos-related mesothelioma have suffered extensive delays in being awarded compensation for their suffering. However, British Rail is more aware than ever before of the significant damage caused to former employees by asbestos exposure. In our experience, British Rail will generally negotiate a settlement with a former employee where the claimant has been diagnosed with mesothelioma and can provide proof of employment with British Rail and exposure to asbestos. Our solicitors can help you to bring a claim and prepare a robust case, which could be settled without the need to resort to court action.
Asbestos exposure claims against BT
Many former employees of the General Post Office, later becoming British Telecom (BT), have been diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure. Engineers installing exchanges in buildings where asbestos was used may have been exposed to asbestos dust and fibres, and many are only starting to feel the symptoms of this exposure today. However, there are also cases where other GPO/BT workers may have been exposed to asbestos.
For example, telegraphers may have been exposed where telegrams became caught in the ceiling above their workstations. In order to be cleared, asbestos ceiling tiles had to be cut away, showering telegraphers in asbestos fibres and dust. In such cases, victims are often unaware that they may have been routinely exposed to asbestos.
As asbestos was so widely used, we regularly see cases where unsuspecting victims suffer asbestos-related mesothelioma. We can help you identify if you can bring a claim against GPO/BT and present evidence to support your claim.
Compensation for asbestos exposure with Calio Claims
The prospect of making a claim can seem daunting, but our specialist industrial disease casework team have significant experience in handling all types of industrial disease related claims
How we have helped our clients
We were instructed in a case by our client, to claim damages in connection with a claim arising out of his employment.. Our client who was employed as a Maintenance Engineer from 1962 to 2001, had been recently diagnosed with asbestosis in the lungs as a result of asbestos exposure throughout the course of his employment.
After a period of investigation, which included obtaining copies of our client’s medical records and making a claim against their employer who passed it over to the insurers, they admitted liability. The insurers agreed to increase their offer from £25,000 to £42,000 in full and final settlement of our client's claim, taking into account any future risk.
Contact Calio Claims for asbestos-related disease claims legal advice today.
If you or someone close to you has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, you can make a claim for compensation against the party or parties responsible. Contact our team today. We are easily accessible across Scotland with offices in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Perth and Dundee , with our Dundee office serving Aberdeen and the North of Scotland.
Our lawyers will discuss the details of your claim with you and will always be upfront about the likelihood that your claim will be successful. In many cases, we can work on a no-win, no-fee basis. During your free initial consultation, we will advise as to whether this might be an option for you.
If you would like to discuss an asbestos-related disease claim or any personal injury matters with our team, please call 0800 988 8082 or complete our online enquiry form and one of our specialist solicitors will get back to you right away.
