A Guide to Mesothelioma Claims

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What is Mesothelioma, what are the symptoms, and could it potentially have been brought on due to my working environment?

As we have learnt more about Mesothelioma and its potential causes in recent years, we thought it would be helpful to share this information in the form of a guide to Mesothelioma claims.

What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos dust. Usually the condition affects the lungs (pleural Mesothelioma), but it can also affect the stomach lining (peritoneal Mesothelioma).

Guide to Mesothelioma Claims

What are the symptoms of Mesothelioma?

Symptoms of pleural Mesothelioma include:

Chest pain
Shortness of breath
Persistent cough
Difficulty swallowing
Hoarse voice
High temperature
Heavy night sweats
Fatigue
Unexplained weight loss and/or reduced appetite
Clubbing of fingers (curved nails over rounded fingertips)

Symptoms of peritoneal Mesothelioma include:

Stomach pain
Stomach swelling
Nausea and/or vomiting
Unexplained weight loss and/or reduced appetite
Constipation/Diarrhoea

If you suffer from one or more of these symptoms, we urge you to get checked out by your GP – especially if you believe or know you have worked with asbestos.

What can cause Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos, so where you live and work (or have previously lived and worked) is generally to blame for prolonged periods of exposure.

Undisturbed asbestos is generally harmless, but when it gets broken up (such as through renovation work or a deteriorating building) it sheds tiny fibres into the air which can be inhaled straight into the lungs.

Jobs where asbestos exposure may be a risk

Here are some common professions where you may be at greater risk of exposure to asbestos. This list is not exhaustive:

Joiners
Boilermakers
Construction workers
Dock workers and shipbuilders
Electricians
Launderers
Painters/Decorators
People who served on warships
Plumbers
Power station workers

Seeking medical advice

Acting quickly when you suspect that something is wrong is extremely important. Book an appointment with your GP.

Chances are it is simply a minor condition, but if the worst should happen – you will eventually receive a diagnosis which can then be addressed.

Can I take legal action regarding my Mesothelioma diagnosis?

If you have been diagnosed with Mesothelioma within the last three years and it is believed that the illness is linked to your employment history, you may be entitled to seek compensation against a current or former employer.

Unless you have been working in the same place for a very long time, it is more likely to be a former employer, as it can take many years for symptoms of Mesothelioma to appear.

Have a think about:

Where the asbestos exposure occurred during or as part of your work
Contacting a specialist Industrial Disease solicitor

Why should I seek legal assistance?

The reason you should contact a Solicitor is that you will most likely be the only person who can provide evidence of the asbestos exposure in the workplace.

Due to the prognosis of a Mesothelioma diagnosis, waiting until you are very unwell makes the likelihood of us being able to build a case and obtain compensation for your family’s benefit very difficult. Without that key evidence from you, it is unlikely a Solicitor will be able to prove your claim.

This becomes even more difficult if your family then attempts to bring a compensation claim on behalf after you have passed away. There is no primary evidence available from you and it is unlikely that your family will know the working practices or the types of asbestos you were exposed to during your working life.

Therefore, if you are suffering from any of the above symptoms, know you have worked with asbestos in the last twenty to fifty years – please consider contacting us today to discuss this in further detail.

We understand that it could be a difficult time for you and your family, but we are here to compassionately and sympathetically discuss these serious issues with you and your family. To delay taking action deprives you and your family the benefit of compensation, which would potentially aid their lives after your passing.

Why should I choose Oakwood Solicitors to handle my compensation claim?

Our team has many years of collective experience with Respiratory Disease compensation claims. You will have a dedicated, in-house advisor who will see your case through from start to finish, assisting you in the event of any queries or issues you may have.

Your case handler will also continue to provide regular updates until the conclusion of your claim, ensuring the process is as stress-free and effortless as possible.