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Specialist Industrial Disease solicitor Geraldine Coombs provides advice for anyone with an asbestos related disease who may be considering making a legal claim.

Seeking legal advice

"First and foremost, an experienced solicitor on asbestos law is essential. Always consult a specialist solicitor experienced in handling this type of case."

"The amount of compensation you are entitled to is assessed according to several factors including current financial loss, pain and suffering, future financial loss and the cost of any care needed."

"You should bear in mind that you will need to start your claim as soon as possible as there are strict limits. You need to begin your claim within 3 years of being diagnosed with an asbestos related condition."

Asbestos claims still to peak

More than 730 000 people have sought compensation for an asbestos related disease.

The number of compensation claims relating to asbestos has been growing steadily since the 1960s, and is likely to continue growing. It is expected to peak in 2015. (American study by the Rand Corporation; a non profit research organisation.)

"It's a sleeping giant - the number of claims is growing and will continue to grow over the next ten to fifteen years," says Geraldine Coombs, specialist industrial disease solicitor at Alexander Harris.

"If you have suffered from an asbestos related disease, for example a cancer like mesothelioma, or from pleural plaques you may have suffered many years of worry and pain."

"I help support people suffering from asbestos related diseases in their fight for compensation. This can help to provide the support they need living with an asbestos related cancer, or in the case of pleural plaques it is awarded in recognition of the pain and anxiety they have suffered and for their anxiety living with the knowledge that one day their condition might worsen."

You can develop asbestos related diseases such as asbestosis from breathing in asbestos dust. This can happen to wives of men who worked with asbestos, who came into regular contact with asbestos dust when washing their husbands overalls, for example.

Jane's story - asbestosis from asbestos dust on her husband's overalls

Jim worked on a car production line welding car parts together. Asbestos was used to prevent the metal buckling. Jim came into direct contact with asbestos on a daily basis, mixing the asbestos paste together with his hands. His wife, Jane developed asbestosis after coming into regular contact with asbestos dust on Jim's overalls when she washed them every week.

What is asbestos?

Asbestos is a natural mineral, mined from rock found in many countries. It is made up of tiny fibres that are as strong as steel but can be woven like cotton and are highly resistant to heat and chemicals.

Asbestos was widely used as a material for building, insulation and heat protection from the 1950s - mid 1980s in the UK, asbestos was used in a range of industries for piping, boilers, flooring, in cement, and drainage.

How does it cause damage?

When asbestos is disturbed or damaged it releases tiny fibres which can be inhaled. The particles then sit in the lungs and cause inflammation. This can lead to asbestos related diseases such as asbestosis, and can lead to cancer.

Who is at risk?

Workers handling asbestos on a daily basis over a number of years are particularly at risk of developing an asbestos related disease or illness, as are their families who have come into regular contact with them.

Today there are still thousands of tonnes of asbestos in buildings in Britain.

It can take between ten and sixty years after being exposed to asbestos for symptoms of a related disease to develop.

Pleural Plaques; scar tissue on the lung can develop following exposure to asbestos. In some cases it can get worse and develop into cancer.

What symptoms am I likely to suffer?

Breathlessness and coughing are associated with asbestosis and pain, loss of appetite and weight loss with mesothelioma.

What treatment is available?

There is no specific treatment for asbestos related diseases. Occasionally radiotherapy may be offered for mesothelioma sufferers.

Mainly palliative treatment is offered to help make the patient as comfortable as possible.

Further help and support

There are a number of support groups for sufferers and their families based mostly in the north-west of the country.

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