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Asbestos and industrial diseases

Get help today if you have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease

35+ years' experience in the field

Asbestos-related diseases affect thousands of people and their loved ones every year. Diagnoses often occur decades after the initial exposure but you might still be able to make a claim.

Being diagnosed with one of these illnesses may come as a shock, as these diseases can take many years to develop after the initial exposure to asbestos. 

The team of expert asbestos solicitors at Leigh Day specialise in bringing claims on behalf of people who have been exposed to asbestos in many walks of life. They are experts at identifying where any exposure took place and getting the right level of compensation for those affected.

Talk to us today by calling freephone 0800 689 5854.

What our clients say

Following my devastating Mesothelioma diagnosis in June 2022, Leigh Day Solicitors were recommended to me and I have to say that appointing Leigh Day was one of the best decisions I made.

Tom via Trustpilot

Ready to talk?

Speak to one of our expert lawyers in complete confidence, with no obligation on freephone 0800 6895854

Thousands of people are diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases annually. There are currently more than 5,000 deaths from asbestos-related diseases in the UK per year, including from mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis.

Being diagnosed with one of these illnesses may come as a shock, as these diseases can take many years to develop after the initial exposure to asbestos.

The team of expert asbestos solicitors at Leigh Day specialise in bringing claims on behalf of people who have been exposed to asbestos in many walks of life. They are experts at identifying where any exposure took place and getting the right level of compensation for those affected.

What the directories say

The best in the field of industrial disease. They know exactly what they're doing and are really impressive. They're really easy to work with, very user-friendly and extremely switched on.

Chambers and partners 2024

Which asbestos-related diseases can you claim for?

Exposure to asbestos has been linked to a range of diseases including:

  • Pleural thickening – a lung disease in which extensive scarring thickens the lining of the lungs.
  • Asbestosis – long-term inflammation and scarring of the lungs due to prolonged exposure to asbestos fibres.
  • Lung cancer – caused by inhaling asbestos fibres, this type of cancer develops in the lung.
  • Mesothelioma – a cancer that develops from the thin layer of tissue that covers many of the internal organs (known as the mesothelium).

Asbestos diseases can take a long time to develop. The time between exposure to asbestos and development of a disease is at least 10 years (typically between 30 and 40 years), but there is no upper limit.

Human rights and asbestos

As well as helping you to bring a claim for compensation if you have been exposed to asbestos, the legal team at Leigh Day works closely with asbestos support groups and charities including the Asbestos Victims Support Groups Forum UK who represent all support groups in the UK. This includes looking at the human rights aspects of mesothelioma and asbestos disease claims, an aspect of our work that we believe is unique amongst law firms.

We believe that these cases have helped to preserve the rights of people suffering with asbestos-related diseases and will continue to protect future claimants for many years.

2 minutes with the asbestos team

Groundbreaking legal cases

Case Study
Supreme Court
Asbestos and mesothelioma asbestos Supreme Court

Dring v Cape 2019

Case Study
High Court London
Asbestos and mesothelioma asbestos

Data Protection Act 2019

Case Study
Asbestos warning
Asbestos International Corporate accountability

K2 Intelligence

See how we have helped others

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Newcastle man receives six-figure settlement following mesothelioma diagnosis

A man diagnosed with an incurable form of asbestos-related cancer has secured a settlement with Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd (ICI) after he claims he was exposed to asbestos while working there in the 1960s. 

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Daughters receive settlement following mother’s death from asbestos exposure in her own home

The family of Peggy Jones, a former head cook from London, has received a settlement following her death aged 88 from the asbestos-related respiratory condition, sarcomatoid mesothelioma, an aggressive form of cancer affecting the lining of the lungs.

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Former Imperial Chemical Industries Limited employee secures settlement following diagnosis with asbestos-related cancer

A former Harrogate factory worker at Imperial Chemical Industries Limited (ICI) has received a substantial sum from the company due to his exposure asbestos while working there throughout the 1960s and 70s, which led to him being diagnosed with mesothelioma.

Read our brochure

Making a claim for an asbestos-related disease

If you’ve been exposed to asbestos, suffered from a related disease and believe you have a strong claim, contact the team of asbestos lawyers at Leigh Day.

They’ll listen to your case with a free consultation and assess the strength of your claim, advising you on the best next steps to take.

You can also make asbestos claims after death for someone else when you are appointed as a ‘litigation friend’.

To strengthen any asbestos, asbestosis or mesothelioma claims, you may need to gather supporting evidence for your case. This can include medical records, documents, witness statements, work and financial records.

How long do I have to bring asbestos claims?

In an industrial disease case, you can bring a legal claim within a three-year ‘limitation period’. This typically starts from the date of diagnosis, but it may be earlier if you have already identified a connection between your symptoms and the cause.

For asbestos claims after death, the three year period typically runs from the date of death.

In all circumstances, it’s advisable to seek legal advice as soon as possible. Sometimes it’s possible to ask the court to let your claim proceed despite the fact that it is over three years since you were diagnosed. Leigh Day has experience bringing cases ‘out of time’.

Asbestos-related disease compensation

The amount of compensation you could receive will depend on your circumstances, including how any related diseases have affected your quality of life, emotional distress, pain and suffering and any financial expenses it has incurred.

Asbestos compensation after death can be used to cover the financial losses a dependent experiences.

Our successful team of asbestos solicitors have settled many cases for individuals who have developed asbestos related-diseases due to exposure in the workplace.

What our clients say

Ready to talk?

Speak to one of our expert lawyers in complete confidence, with no obligation on freephone 0800 6895854

Asbestos educational grants

Leigh Day is committed to supporting research and education into asbestos illnesses and operate a charitable fund to support medical professionals to assist with education including attending conferences, lectures and professional development. To find out more email our team.