If you have been diagnosed with pleural thickening as a result of your work, you may have an industrial disease claim for compensation.
Exposure to asbestos is the main cause of pleural thickening. It can develop in one lung (unilateral pleural thickening), or both lungs (bilateral pleural thickening). There is no cure but the condition can be managed.
Although it’s non-cancerous, non-malignant and not necessarily a sign of asbestosis or mesothelioma, sufferers do sometimes go on to develop asbestos-related illnesses.
Pleural thickening causes chest pain and breathing difficulties (dyspnea). It’s one of the most commonly diagnosed signs of asbestos exposure, but the effects can take 20 years or more to emerge after the exposure has occurred.
Some of the professions known to carry high risks of asbestos exposure include:
Pleural thickening can be a debilitating illness, and the risk of developing other asbestos-related diseases is increased.
Making a claim for compensation can help ease the financial pressures of paying for:
Firstly, you are likely to need legal help when making a claim of this type. In cases of industrial respiratory disease, the claim is made against the employer, who have a duty of care to ensure your safety.
Where your asbestos exposure was due to a job you had years ago, the company may no longer exist. In these cases we’d need to find the insurer of that company and claim against them.
Using our specialist solicitors means we can talk you through your options and help you build a case for pleural thickening compensation with an expert in industrial disease law.
We offer a No Win No Fee service (also known as a conditional fee agreement), so you don't have to pay for anything in advance – and if the claim is not successful, you don't pay at all.
Only pay a fee if you receive compensation
Our No Win No Fee solicitors will take a success fee from the compensation you are awarded for a successful claim in the form of a percentage of your damages. This could be up to 25% but it won't be more than that, except in cases of road traffic accidents. Changing laws mean our solicitors will now take a payment of 30% of the final compensation amount plus VAT for all road traffic accident claims.
First4Lawyers are an award-winning claims management company with a track record of delivering service that our clients love.
Our compensation calculator gives guideline amounts set by the Judicial College, but the range of payments for pleural thickening tends to start at £13,230, going up to £92,820.
Pleural thickening compensation amounts paid will depend on the level of respiratory disability and element of future risk to your health and life expectancy. It’s also influenced by whether the award is to be a final or provisional payment.
A provisional payment is where you receive a certain amount, with the understanding you may make a further claim if you develop a further asbestos-related illness. Our industrial disease law specialists will help explain your options.
You usually have three years to make a claim, from the date you were diagnosed with pleural thickening, so it’s important to start proceedings as soon as possible after you become aware of your illness.
You can enquire about a pleural thickening compensation claim by getting in touch with our friendly and compassionate advisors.
Just give us a call, request a call back or start your claim online.
