How You Could Have Been Exposed To Asbestos Dust

Many clients who come to us for legal advice and help with accessing DWP benefits following a diagnosis of an asbestos-related disease were exposed to asbestos dust at work. However, asbestos diseases do not just develop in people who have been exposed to asbestos dust at work and so this article examines other potential sources of exposure to asbestos dust.

Asbestos Related Diseases

There are a number of medically recognised asbestos related diseases and also some conditions which can be an indicator of an asbestos-related condition. Each can be caused by work exposure or other contact with asbestos dust.

Asbestos diseases

• Pleural plaques
• Pleural thickening
• Asbestosis
• Asbestos-related lung cancer
• Mesothelioma

Conditions which could be an indicator of an asbestos disease

• Pleural effusions
• Rounded atelectasis
• Folded lung

These diseases and linked conditions range from being benign with no or just minor physical symptoms, through to being cancerous and in some cases, fatal.

It is the inhaling of asbestos fibres that can cause an asbestos condition to develop, often many years after the exposure took place. However, it should be noted that not everyone who has breathed in asbestos dust will develop an asbestos-related disease.

Contaminated Workplaces

For many years, we have helped numerous clients win compensation as a result of being exposed to asbestos dust at work and who, unfortunately, have gone on to develop, for example, mesothelioma.

Exposure at work is not just limited to workers who used asbestos materials themselves. Workplace exposure can also occur from being near to someone who was using or disturbing asbestos materials in the workplace or even through simply working in a building constructed of asbestos materials where the asbestos has become damaged.

Most workers who have worked directly with asbestos materials, such as plumbers, electricians, laggers, painters and decorators, carpenters and general construction workers, know they have had that direct contact in their work. However, we also succeed in claims for asbestos disease sufferers who recall seeing workmen removing or installing asbestos materials, perhaps doing some refurbishment or repair work. The asbestos dust created by that work floated in the air, meaning the worker who had nothing to do with the work still inhaled the asbestos dust.

We have also secured compensation for clients who simply worked in a building constructed of asbestos materials where those materials became damaged or disturbed over time, meaning asbestos fibres escaped into the working atmosphere to be breathed in. By way of example, we have settled a number of mesothelioma claims which have arisen from one particular workplace in Kent. The building has long been demolished but sadly the historical exposure to asbestos dust suffered by workers based in the building is unlikely to have reached an end yet.

The workplace in question was partly constructed of asbestos corrugated sheeting. That sheeting became damaged over time, including holes appearing in the roof in which birds nested and through which rain leaked. Workers were exposed every day to asbestos dust from the damaged roof and walls surrounding them as they went about their own work.

Internally, the steel columns and girders forming the structure of the building were all sprayed with asbestos lagging. This lagging became damaged over time as machinery knocked into it and items were piled up against the structures, causing asbestos fibres to be released from the lagging into the working atmosphere.

After many years of workers being exposed to asbestos dust, the employers decided to actually do something about the asbestos materials present and an asbestos survey of the building was carried out. Despite what appeared to be a positive step being taken, shockingly, the employers then failed to ensure all the asbestos identified as being in an unsafe condition was either removed or safely sealed and instead, they allowed their employees to continue to work in these areas and to be exposed to asbestos dust.

This single workplace has caused several deaths as a result of former workers developing mesothelioma. They included both office and manufacturing staff. This appalling situation will sadly have been replicated many times across the UK.

Other sources of exposure to asbestos dust

It is often assumed that only those workers who actually handled asbestos materials are at risk of developing asbestos diseases. Unfortunately, the risk affects a much wider pool of people, and other potential sources of exposure to asbestos dust which may not immediately come to mind following a diagnosis of an asbestos related disease include:

• Using an asbestos containing item at work eg a science teacher using a Bunsen burner with an asbestos gauze or an art teacher using an asbestos lined kiln or a bakery worker using an asbestos lined oven. Our specialist team has been successful in such claims;
• Being exposed to dust at work via works being carried out by tradesmen who were disturbing or using asbestos materials nearby. Our expert Solicitors have won cases based on clients remembering how they had to wipe asbestos dust off their desk every morning due to refurbishment works going on;
• Workers who had to regularly walk through old and dusty basements in which damaged asbestos lagging on pipework was present. Again we have been successful in pursuing such claims for our clients;
• Those who carried out Military Service or who were in the Merchant Navy. We have extensive experience in pursuing such claims;
• Those who washed asbestos contaminated work clothes of a relative who worked with asbestos materials. There is a unique set of legal rules governing such claims and our specialist Solicitors have significant knowledge in this area;
• People who lived near to an asbestos factory and who walked past that factory regularly, not realising it was contaminating the local area with asbestos dust which local residents were likely to breathe in. It may be possible to pursue a compensation claim against the former manufacturing company – our team will know what is to be done;
• Those who lived in rented properties which contained asbestos materials. Such claims require particular elements to be present and our asbestos disease experts can advise about this;
• Those who were exposed to asbestos dust via their schooling. Worryingly, many school buildings today still have asbestos within them which is not being properly managed;
• Using asbestos contaminated cosmetic body powder or make-up products containing contaminated talc. We have assisted many clients in successful claims involving talcum powder products.

We can help you

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related condition and would like to discuss your legal options, we are here to listen and to help. We will give helpful, practical and realistic advice in relation to DWP benefits entitlement and the legal compensation options available in your specific circumstances, as well as signpost to local asbestos support charities if required.

Our service is at no financial risk to you whatsoever. We are highly experienced and knowledgeable – the two Partners within our specialist disease team have over 50 years’ experience between them in pursuing asbestos disease claims and are both independently recognised for their expertise and knowledge.

There is nothing to be lost in seeking advice from us, but you could potentially gain a sense of justice in addition to compensation, and we will always offer genuine understanding and support.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related condition, contact our specialist Asbestos & Workplace Illness solicitors for practical advice on compensation and benefits. Our service carries no financial risk, and we provide expert guidance and support every step of the way. Call our experts on 0330 822 3451 or request a callback.