Industrial disease

Received a diagnosis or looking for clarity/assistance if you think you're suffering from asbestosis?

We understand the hardship and pain caused by asbestos exposure. If this happened to you through your job or someone else’s carelessness, you don’t have to bear the burden.

Let our team handle the legal complexities and see what options you have for making a claim against an employer.

1. Asbestosis

What is Asbestosis?

A close up shot of a man clutching on to his chest

Asbestosis is a lung disease caused by inhaling asbestos fibers. Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring minerals that were once widely used in construction and other industries. When asbestos fibers are inhaled, they can damage the lungs and cause a number of health problems, including asbestosis. If you have received a diagnosis of asbestosis, it is vital that you speak to MMW Claims today, to find out if you can pursue a claim.

Asbestosis is a progressive disease. This means that it gets worse over time. The symptoms of asbestosis can include:

Shortness of breath

Cough

Fatigue

Chest pain

Wheezing

If you have any of these symptoms, it is important to see a doctor. Asbestosis can be diagnosed with a chest X-ray or a CT scan.

There is no cure for asbestosis. However, there are treatments that can help to relieve symptoms. These treatments include:

Oxygen therapy

Medications to help control the cough

Surgery to remove scar tissue from the lungs

If you have developed asbestosis as a result of your work, you may be able to claim compensation. To make a claim, you will need to prove that your employer was negligent and that their negligence caused your injury. Speak to a member of the MMW Claims team to ascertain of you have a claim. You may have worked with an employer many years ago and were exposed to asbestos and it has since closed down. You may feel that as a result you are not able to claim. This is not necessarily true, MMW claims pursue many claims against companies that have closed down. We will ascertain if there is an insurance history for any old companies to confirm whether or not you have a viable claim

If you have been diagnosed with asbestosis, you should speak to a MMW Claims to discuss your claim. Our team will be able to advise you on whether you have a valid claim and will help you to get the compensation you deserve.

2. How to make

How to Make an Asbestosis Claim in Northern Ireland

If you have developed asbestosis as a result of your work, you may be able to claim compensation. To make a claim, you will need to follow these steps:

Speak to one of the MMW Claims today. One of our specialist team of solicitors will advise you on the merits of your claim and what next steps are necessary to move your case forward. Once you have engaged MMW claims, we do all the work.

The next step is to get medical evidence from an expert Doctor. MMW Claims will obtain the specialist medical evidence you need. This evidence will show that you have asbestosis and that it is work-related.

MMW Claims will also need to obtain proof of your employment history from HMRC. This will prove that you were employed with the employer who you deem responsible for your claim and rule out the possibility that you worked with another employer where you could have been exposed to asbestos.

If the insurers do not offer you a fair settlement, you may need to take your case to court. This is a last resort, but it may be necessary if you are not able to reach an agreement with the insurers.

3. How Much

How Much Compensation Can I Claim for Asbestosis?

The amount of compensation you can claim for asbestosis will depend on a number of factors, including the severity of your injury, the length of time you were off work, and any other losses you have suffered.

In general, you can claim for the following damages:

Pain and suffering

Loss of earnings

Medical expenses

Loss of amenities

The Guidelines for the Assessment of General Damages in Personal Injury Cases in Northern Ireland do have suggestions of how much someone can expect from a claim. These will vary based on the case, but their guidelines place asbestosis claims in the following bands:

Pleural thickening with functional impairment - £30,000 - £62,500
Minimal to mild asbestosis with slight impairment - £42,500 - £75,000
Moderate to severe asbestosis with considerable impairment - £62,500 - £125,000

If you have developed asbestosis as a result of your work, you should speak to a specialist solicitor at MMW Claims today. Our team will be able to advise you on whether you have a valid claim and will help you to get the compensation you deserve.

4. Claim TImeline

What is the time limit to claim for asbestosis in Northern Ireland?

There is a general rule in asbestos-based claims that an individual can file a claim within three years of being diagnosed. However, this timeframe may vary depending on the specific case.

This applies if you are attempting to claim on someone's behalf, or if you're claiming for a family member who has recently passed. In situations like this, we recommend contacting us as soon as possible so we can provide clear assistance.

Jump to a topic

1. What is Asbestosis?

2. How to Make an Asbestosis Claim

3. How Much Compensation Can I Claim?

4. Claim Timeline

5. Request a Claims Assessment

Common employers

Some of the companies we've helped our clients reach agreement with asbestosis claims include

British Telecom
DuPont
Fire Service
Goodyear Tyres, Craigavon
Harland & Wolff (including subcontractors)
Mackies
MOD
Northern Ireland Electricity

Northern Ireland Railways
Pattons
Power Stations (including Ballylumford and Coolkeeragh Power Station)
Royal Mail
Translink
Ulster Printworks
Warners

What happens next?

Step one

Fill out our simple online form and wait for one of our qualified solicitors to call you

Step two

Speak with one of our qualified solicitors to get a deeper understanding of your claim eligibility.

Step three

Receive your FREE no-obligation claims assessment and further personalised advice on how to make your claim.

Get Expert Legal Advice before you make a claim

Working across a range of industries

We have obtained absestosis loss compensation for clients in industries across Northern Ireland, including:

Boiler Workers
Construction workers
Firefighters
Industrial workers

Joiners
Mechanics
Plumbers
Shipyard workers

Your most common Asbestosis questions answered

Are there specific legal requirements for making an asbestosis claim in Northern Ireland?

Apart from a three-year limit (on the date of discovery) there typically are no other specific requirements.

Can I claim for asbestosis if I was exposed to asbestos many years ago?

You can, as long as the discovery is made recently. it's best to chat with our team to see if your claim would be valid.

What are the chances of success in my asbestosis claim?

Our team are experienced and confident in helping the majority of clients get a settlement. If you read some of our success stories, you'll get a first-hand telling of the work we've done.

How long does an Asbestosis claim take?

It will vary. Some cases can be settled within a few months when all the evidence is clear.

Some employers may delay the process, but we work on your behalf to get results promptly.

Is a pleural plaques claim the same as an asbestosis claim?

No. The two are different, with pleural plaques being a more common & less intense condition.

What professions have a greater risk of asbestosis?

Asbestosis tends to be more prevalent among people who have been working on building sites or in the trades. For example, it is common for roofers, carpenters & decorators working/renovating older buildings to have faced exposure.
For those working in a more industrial capacity, engineers, electricians and builders for large companies would have commonly faced asbestos exposure.

Asbestosis Claims in Northern Ireland