Age and asbestos compensation
Because of the long incubation periods associated with asbestos-related illnesses, asbestos compensation claims are usually made by older people, most commonly those in their sixties and seventies who have been exposed to asbestos in the workplace.
For these older sufferers of asbestos-related illnesses, receiving asbestos compensation as speedily as possible is vitally important. This is because the progress of most asbestos-related illnesses, such as asbestosis and mesothelioma, is mercilessly swift. Tragically, many of these older sufferers develop asbestos-related illness only after they have retired from a life of hard work. Because the progress of most asbestos-related illnesses is so swift, these older sufferers may never directly receive an award of asbestos compensation themselves, with any award instead going to their dependents and immediate families.
Asbestos compensation and a younger sufferer
Unfortunately, there has been a recent and unexpected rise in the number of younger (or third generation) sufferers of asbestos-related illnesses claiming asbestos compensation.
One relatively recent landmark asbestos compensation claim was that of a 45-year-old mother from Hampshire who successfully claimed asbestos compensation.
After first experiencing symptoms of mesothelioma in 2005, the mother of three was diagnosed with the condition in January of 2006.
Almost immediately, the 43-year-old decided to make a no win, no fee claim for asbestos compensation. Because of the priority insurance companies are obliged to give to compensation claims for asbestos-related illnesses her asbestos claim was soon settled.
The courts decided that she had developed mesothelioma as a result of exposure to the work clothes of her grandfather who was employed by the Ministry of Defence as a shipbuilder in Portsmouth between 1935 and 1973, in recognition of this she was awarded nearly £150,000 in asbestos compensation.
An expert's view
Though awards of asbestos compensation can never truly compensate sufferers for the pain, suffering and reduction in lifespan they must experience, such awards are essential to, in some way, offering official recognition of the pain and injustice victims of asbestos must endure.
What is clear is that asbestos compensation plays a necessary part in recognising the tragic legacy of asbestos.
Alex Boxall, an asbestos compensation specialist with no win, no fee claim experts, YouClaim, comments, "It is tragic that even as many as 40-50 years after exposure, asbestos continues to impact people's lives in the most serious way possible. That personal injury solicitors are beginning to deal with an increased number of asbestos claims from younger sufferers indicates that the legacy of asbestos may continue for longer than even the most pessimistic estimates had predicted.
"It is essential that negligent employers from the period when asbestos use was still prevalent continue to be held accountable in the form of asbestos compensation. Doing so not only ensures some kind of justice for affected families but also goes some way to ensuring the UK upholds safe and transparent workplace practices, which will help guard against the industrial illnesses of the future."
Making a no win, no fee asbestos compensation claim
If you or a member of your family has developed an asbestos-related illness such as asbestosis or mesothelioma as a result of exposure to deadly asbestos dust, you should be able to claim asbestos compensation.
YouClaim's panel of no win, no fee solicitors are recognised as being among the UK's leading experts in asbestos compensation claims and rigorously uphold the high standards of the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Making a compensation claim with us is a totally risk-free business. We guarantee that at no stage during or after your claim will you have to pay either us or anyone else a single penny in costs or fees.
We also promise that, unlike many no win, no fee providers, we will never touch a penny of your asbestos compensation award 100% compensation is guaranteed.
So why not speak to one of our legal advisors today?
You can discuss your claim on e-chat, request we call you back, fill out an online claim form or, if you'd like to speak to someone right now, call us on 0800 10 757 95.
