Asbestos Compensation After Death

Legally reviewed by: LLB (Hons) & LPC Stacy Pimlott Updated: September 13, 2022In: Industrial Disease

Symptoms of asbestos exposure can often develop years and even decades after exposure to asbestos fibres. Some may not even be aware that they have had high exposure to asbestos in the past. If you aren’t sure about exposure, but you believe you are suffering from the symptoms mentioned below, then you should seek medical advice. Many of its warning signs are also associated with other respiratory problems, and how severe and frequent symptoms are will differ from person to person.

We recommend that you seek medical advice immediately as soon as you or someone close to you starts to develop breathing problems. This way, you can get an official diagnosis and the medical care you need straight away. Your doctor may make an x-ray scan and use a stethoscope to listen to your lungs. Once diagnosed, our solicitors can help you go through your asbestos compensation after death claim.

Can I Claim Asbestos Compensation After Death of a Loved One in the UK?

We can help you claim asbestos compensation after the death of a loved one.

We understand that it won’t bring your loved one back, but it can help to alleviate any worries that you may have about any outstanding debts such as medical bills or care costs.

At AWH Solicitors, we are experienced in handling sensitive asbestos-related cases. We are here for you when you are ready to start your claim and will support you throughout the claim process.

What Are the Time Limits for Claiming Compensation after the Death of a Loved One?

There are two different time limits that may need to be considered within a compensation claim for asbestos-related diseases.

Firstly, a living asbestos victim has three years from the date of diagnosis to make a compensation claim, even if the exposure to asbestos was decades ago.

Secondly, providing that the asbestos victim was still within that three-year time limit when they died, there is then a further three years from the date of the death in which a loved one can make a claim in their name.

If you think that your situation may fall within these time limits and you would like to make an asbestos compensation claim, we can help you. Get in touch today to start the process.

What Diseases Can Asbestos Cause?

Asbestos is a term used to describe naturally occurring silicate materials that were previously used as building materials. Once it was discovered that the inhalation of asbestos dust is a major health hazard, its use of it was widely banned.

Some of the diseases that can be caused by asbestos dust inhalation include:

• Asbestosis 
• Mesothelioma
• Diffuse pleural thickening
• Lung cancer
• Pleural Plaques
• Pleural Effusion
• Rounded atelectasis

In the most serious cases of asbestos related disease, aggressive and incurable tumours can progress incredibly quickly in an individual who has been exposed to asbestos dust.

What is Asbestosis?

Asbestosis is a very serious lung condition that is caused by extended exposure to asbestos fibres. Asbestos is a material that was originally used in buildings for insulation, flooring and roofing.

If it is left untouched, then it is not necessarily dangerous. However, if the material is destroyed then it can create fine dust. If this dust is breathed in, it can cause serious damage to the lungs that can worsen over time.

If you have worked in a job that has involved disturbing asbestos material over a prolonged period of time, then you will likely have a greater chance of developing asbestosis.

Additionally, if you worked in an industry such as building or construction, particularly in the 1970s-90s, then you might be more at risk of developing asbestosis or other asbestos-related health conditions. Contact us if you think that your employer may have exposed you to dangerous conditions that have resulted in you developing an asbestos-related disease.

What Are the Symptoms of Asbestosis?

Breathing in asbestos fibres over many years can eventually lead to serious scarring of the lungs. Symptoms of this can include:

• Shortness of breath
• A pain in your chest or shoulder
• Swollen fingers
• Wheezing
• A persistent cough
• Extreme tiredness (fatigue)

If your GP suspects that you may have developed asbestosis, they will refer you to a specialist and you may have the following tests:

• A CT scan of your lungs
• A lung function test to check the capacity and correct functioning of your lungs
• A chest X-Ray

There is no cure for asbestosis once it has developed because the damage that has been done to the lungs is irreversible. However, there are some treatments that are known to help the condition.

These are:

• Oxygen therapy, where you can breathe in oxygen-rich air from a tank
• Pulmonary rehabilitation, a programme that is designed to teach your exercises and ways in which you can manage your condition

Sadly, asbestosis can often lead to the complications of lung cancer, mesothelioma, and pulmonary heart disease. All of these complications can lead to eventual death due to asbestos.

Can I Claim Asbestos Compensation After Death of a Loved One UK?

If you are related to the victim of an asbestos-related disease, you may be able to claim compensation after their death.

The process of claiming an asbestos-related wrongful death is often complicated because it is harder to gather evidence. Pinpointing when and where exposure occurred is often crucial to the case. This is harder without the individual to question. However, it is not impossible with the help of our experienced industrial disease solicitors.

Read more about our previous asbestos-related cases

Talk to us About Claiming Asbestosis Compensation after Death

We understand that you will have a lot of emotional turmoil after the death of someone in your family. This is especially if you have found out that it was because of a disease that could have been avoided.

Our specialist industrial disease solicitors have a great deal of experience with cases like these and can help you successfully present your case with the least stress possible.

With our experience and knowledge, we can ensure that a claim for compensation after an asbestos-related death will be as straightforward as possible.

Get in touch to find out how much compensation you may be entitled to. Our experts will go through the claims process in detail before getting started. Therefore you will know exactly what you can expect.