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Asbestosis is a lung disease caused by inhaling asbestos fibres. Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring minerals that were once widely used in construction and industry (historically heavily in shipbuilding, engineering, and manufacturing across Northern Ireland) before its dangers were fully understood. When asbestos fibres are inhaled, they can damage the lungs and cause health problems, including asbestosis.
If you have received a diagnosis of asbestosis, speak to MMW Claims today to find out if you can pursue a claim.
Asbestosis is a progressive disease, meaning it typically worsens over time. Symptoms can include:
Shortness of breath
A persistent 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, but treatments can help manage symptoms, including oxygen therapy, medication to control coughing, and in some cases surgery.
If you developed asbestosis as a result of your work, you may be able to claim compensation, even if the employer responsible has since closed down. MMW Claims regularly pursues claims against companies that are no longer trading by tracing historical insurance records.
Northern Ireland has its own specific legislation covering asbestos-related conditions, distinct from the law in the rest of the UK. The Damages (Asbestos-related Conditions) Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 confirms that certain asbestos-related conditions, including pleural plaques, are actionable as personal injuries in Northern Ireland courts.
In general, a claim for asbestosis must be brought within three years of the date of diagnosis, or from the date you first reasonably connected your illness to asbestos exposure at work. That means you can be diagnosed years after working somewhere and make a claim within that window.
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.
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
Compensation for asbestosis in Northern Ireland is assessed under the Guidelines for the Assessment of General Damages in Personal Injury Cases in Northern Ireland (known as the "Green Book"), published by the Judicial Studies Board for Northern Ireland. The current (Sixth) Edition, published 2024, sets out the following general damages brackets for lung disease caused by asbestos exposure:
Condition | General Damages Bracket |
Pleural plaques (asymptomatic) | Around £4,500 |
Pleural plaques with distress/anxiety | £7,500 – £22,000 |
Pleural thickening with functional impairment | £30,000 – £62,500 |
Minimal to mild asbestosis (slight impairment of function/quality of life) | £42,500 – £75,000 |
Moderate to severe asbestosis (considerable impairment) | £62,500 – £125,000 |
Lung cancer or mesothelioma (where death within a few years is inevitable) | £125,000 – £250,000 |
Note: Figures are general damages guidelines drawn from the Judicial Studies Board for Northern Ireland's Green Book, Sixth Edition (2024). They do not include special damages such as loss of earnings, medical costs, or care costs, which are calculated separately and can significantly increase the total award.
Every case is different. The final amount you receive will depend on the severity of your condition, its impact on your day-to-day life and ability to work, and any additional financial losses. Speak to a member of the MMW Claims team for an assessment specific to your circumstances.
Northern Ireland has a significant industrial history involving asbestos exposure. Shipbuilding, particularly at Harland & Wolff in Belfast, is widely recognised as one of the largest sources of historical asbestos exposure in Northern Ireland, alongside engineering works, textile mills, and construction.
Many people affected were exposed decades ago, often before the risks of asbestos were fully understood or regulated. If you worked in shipbuilding, construction, manufacturing, or a related trade in Northern Ireland at any point and have since been diagnosed with asbestosis, you may have a valid claim, even if you're not sure which employer, or whether that employer still exists.
MMW Claims has secured compensation for Northern Ireland families affected by asbestos-related illness, including a £150,000 settlement for the family of a mesothelioma victim.
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
Boiler Workers
Construction workers
Firefighters
Industrial workers
Joiners
Mechanics
Plumbers
Shipyard workers
