Asbestos Law

Here at asbestos law.co.uk we aim to give you the straight facts, making your position and rights clear. Our aim is to illustrate how exactly the law stands in regards to protecting you.  Asbestos was once considered an ideal material for building, fire retardant and great electrical insulation. It was low-priced and an unproblematic material to use and seen as safe.  Unfortunately working with asbestos has devastating consequences; problems arise when the asbestos particles become airborne and are inhaled. The fibres are simply too large, sharp and as the lungs cannot drive them out, they infiltrate them.

The following are diseases attributed to asbestos:

• Asbestosis – this was first found in textile workers, it scars the lung tissue from an acid produced by the lungs to try dissolve the fibres. This scarring eventually becomes so severe that the lungs are unable to function. It can often take over 10 years to develop
• Mesothelioma – a cancer of the lining of the lungs and chest cavity. However it has no connection to smoking. Most patients due within 12 months of diagnosis and the only established factor is asbestos, again this takes over 10 years to develop
• Cancer- Cancer of the lung has been linked to asbestos as a contributing factor

Much controversy surrounds compensation related asbestos law suits. In a time where there are 3,500 asbestos related deaths a year in Britain alone it is clear to see why. These numbers are expected to rise in the coming decade.

It once was possible to claim for compensation, however in October 2007 it was ruled that workers would no longer be able to claim as it does not in itself constitute as a disease.

Law suits against asbestos related diseases were first filed in 1929 and from that point many more lawsuits for filed. By the 1990s in the USA, more than half of the major main asbestos companies filed for bankruptcy after the financial constraints from the lawsuits simply became too much. It was in June 1982 that the biggest claim was made from a retired boiler maker of $2.3 million in compensation. However all laws are constantly reviewed and changed. If you find yourself in the position that you are unsure where to turn let asbestos law.me.uk guide you. Let us display the cold, hard facts and lead you to an educated decision.