Asbestos Disease Compensation Claims
Our team has significant experience in successfully securing compensation for asbestos related pleural thickening, asbestosis and asbestos related lung cancer.
We are recognised in the The Legal 500 UK Directory and Chambers and Partners rankings:
- As a distinguished team possessing in depth knowledge of industrial disease
- As lawyers that are service orientated, providing individual, one-to-one bespoke advice to all our clients.
- Having as Head of our team in Isobel Lovett, a ‘very experienced and able industrial disease lawyer, who heads up a strong team which fights vigorously for Claimants.’
- As possessing in Partner Lorna Webster, a ‘stand out Partner with excellent client care skill, legal knowledge, and judgement.’
We have extensive knowledge and a track record to hold employers to account for their wrong doing.
We pride ourselves on our personal touch and sympathetic approach. We provide advice that’s tailored to your unique situation.
“The asbestos team at Hodge Jones & Allen is both experienced and very effective with a great track record of acting for claimants in relation to asbestos-related injuries.” – Legal 500, 2025
Our Asbestos Team has been ranked in the Chambers & Partners 2025 legal directory. They were described as “excellent, very thorough and helpful” and were praised for supporting “each other and their clients.”
What are Asbestos-Related Diseases?
If you have been exposed to asbestos dust at work and have developed any of the following conditions, Hodge Jones & Allen Solicitors can assist you in seeking compensation:
- Pleural plaques (in limited circumstances)
- Pleural thickening
- Asbestosis
- Asbestos related lung cancer.
Mesothelioma is another disease caused by exposure to asbestos dust – see our specialist information about that condition here.
There are also some lung issues which could be an indicator of asbestos disease and these include:
- Pleural effusions
- Rounded atelectasis
- Folded lung
Asbestos-related diseases are a form of lung damage that can arise from work-related activities that expose the lungs to dangerous substances such as asbestos fibres.
- Pleural thickening is a benign condition but if it is causing symptoms and legal blame can be placed upon an employer for the asbestos exposure, then a compensation claim may be an option.
- Asbestosis and asbestos related lung cancer can be fatal conditions in some cases. Both require a high level of exposure to asbestos dust but our specialist asbestos disease team will be able to advise you about this.
- Many lung cancers are assumed to be smoking related. However, if a lung cancer sufferer has had extensive exposure to asbestos dust, it may be possible to prove that the lung cancer is actually asbestos related. Our specialist solicitors work closely with medical professionals to see if this is possible.
- Pleural effusions, rounded atelectasis and folded lung are not in themselves asbestos related diseases but they can be indicators that an asbestos related disease may be present.
What are the symptoms of asbestos-related diseases?
The conditions of pleural thickening, asbestosis and asbestos related lung cancer vary in the level of symptoms and severity but are all caused by exposure to asbestos dust and all can cause similar symptoms.
The following symptoms are often the first signs of an asbestos related lung disease:
- Shortness of breath
- Increasing incidences of fatigue and exhaustion
- Wheezing
- Chest pain and tightness
- Coughing, which can be persistent and often chesty
- Frequent chest infections
When foreign matter, asbestos fibres, intrude upon the respiratory system the body can usually fight back to clear such particles. However, some particles, especially asbestos fibres, can be particularly hard for the lungs to clear in some people. This can lead to the development of an asbestos related condition.
The development of asbestos related diseases often takes many years from the exposure to asbestos dust, ranging from 10 years to 60+ years, with no upper limit. Some people are shocked that an asbestos disease they have been diagnosed with today could have been caused by exposure to asbestos dust so long ago. We are experts in obtaining evidence to secure that link across the decades. If you have been diagnosed with an asbestos disease, contact us to discuss your potential claim even if the exposure to asbestos dust seems a long time ago.
What if my employer who exposed me to asbestos dust is no longer trading?
If your previous employer exposed you to asbestos dust in circumstances where they should have protected you, then you may be able to bring a compensation claim.
If your previous employer is no longer trading then our specialist team will try to identify who their employers’ liability insurers were. If those insurers can be identified, a claim can be pursued against the insurers and it doesn’t matter that the employing company is no longer in existence. Speak to our highly experienced team to find out more information.
How does an asbestos disease claim work?
We understand the difficulties and uncertainty you might face should you be diagnosed with an asbestos related disease.
We aim to assist you throughout the compensation claim process, maintaining a close relationship with you and your loved ones throughout and ensuring the process is as smooth as possible for you..
We deal with everyone within a claim on your behalf, including insurance companies, medical experts, barristers and witnesses. We will keep you updated on key steps in your claim and ensure you know what the plan is at any given time. We speak in plain English without legal jargon and never forget this is your claim and no two claims are the same.
Our experienced workplace illness solicitors will look at your employment history in detail and advise you as to whether it has been possible to track down those responsible for exposing you to asbestos dust.
- If you get in touch with our asbestos disease claim solicitors today, a member of our specialist team will take you through the information-gathering process. We will focus on the needs of you and your family and provide details about the claim procedure.
- A member of our specialist team will work closely with you to build a case and fight for you to receive the maximum compensation possible in the quickest possible time.
- If a claim can be pursued against your former employer or their insurance company, we will send a formal letter of claim setting out what they did wrong to cause your asbestos disease.
- We search for witnesses and documentary evidence to support your claim and arrange for medical evidence to be obtained from an experienced and suitable doctor.
- The compensation for your asbestos disease plus the financial losses and expenses incurred to date, and which may be incurred in the future, are calculated and we advise you on a settlement amount taking into account the individual facts of your claim.
- We’ll be by your side at all times keeping you updated and advised on all steps
Who can claim for asbestos disease compensation?
The following people may be entitled to bring a claim for asbestos related diseases:
- The person diagnosed with pleural thickening, asbestosis or asbestos related lung cancer
- Dependant spouse or partners
- Other dependants.
If you are unsure whether you can bring a claim for asbestos related lung disease compensation, please contact our specialist team for further advice.
"The level of personal care, professionalism and desire to get the very best result was exceptional. They dealt with everything supporting us every step of the way. They genuinely care about their clients and their welfare."
How much compensation can I get?
Pleural thickening, asbestosis and asbestos related lung cancer each have their own unique set of rules about pursuing a legal claim and the amount of compensation depends on various factors including:
- The level of disability at present
- The age of the person with the condition
- How the condition affects daily life
- The likely progression of the asbestos condition in the future
- The risks of developing a more serious asbestos related condition such as mesothelioma
- Whether it has been possible to pursue all former employers to blame for your asbestos related condition.
The compensation received will include compensation for the condition itself, as well as your financial losses and expenses already incurred and which will be incurred in the future.
Financial losses and expenses can typically include loss of income, aids and appliances, care costs and travel or parking expenses. If an expense has been incurred as a direct result of the asbestos disease, it can generally be claimed.
Why choose Hodge Jones & Allen Solicitors to deal with your asbestos disease claim?
We Support You: At Hodge Jones & Allen Solicitors we believe you have the right to a supportive and efficient service as you set about claiming compensation. We always aim to achieve the best possible outcome for you in the quickest time and to make the process as straightforward and easy as possible.
Our Experience: Our experienced asbestos disease lawyers at Hodge Jones & Allen Solicitors will always deal with your case in a sensitive and understanding manner. We’re nationally recognised specialists with decades of experience and have represented many people across the country who have had had to deal with workplace asbestos related disease.
Independently Recognised for our Expertise and Knowledge: We have an ‘Excellent’ rating on Trustpilot, alongside decades of experience. This means our dedicated team possesses significant knowledge about asbestos related illnesses respiratory illness and lung disease and how to claim for compensation effectively. Our specialist solicitors are ranked by independent industry guides such as Chambers and Partners, and the Legal 500 guides as well as being individually accredited by the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL). Our specialist lawyers have decades of experience and knowledge to guide you through a claim for asbestos related illness.
On Your Side: Our solicitors will be by your side at every stage of the claim process taking a compassionate approach while fighting your corner at every turn.
Every Client Receives a Bespoke Service: Reading through our case studies you’ll clearly see that our passion for justice and commitment to our clients is a hallmark of everything we do, no matter how complex the facts of your case might be. As well as being committed to achieving the best results possible, we pride ourselves on our sensitive approach with our clients, providing a bespoke and considerate service from the first moment you get in touch with us.
We have a nationwide reach across England and Wales and will meet you at your home or other place of your choosing.
If you’d rather communicate with us through telephone calls or a video call, then we’d be happy to accommodate you.
Meet Our Experts
Hodge Jones & Allen Solicitors’ asbestos disease Partners have a wealth of knowledge in this area reinforced by over 25 years each of experience in this specialised area of the law. Backed by an impressive ‘Excellent’ Trustpilot rating, our dedicated, highly experienced team supports individuals and families affected by asbestos diseases.
Led by Partner Isobel Lovett alongside her fellow APIL-accredited Partner, Lorna Webster, the team always takes an empathetic approach to their work and have earned a successful track-record in securing compensation for their clients.
Are you able to assist me with DWP benefits if I have been diagnosed with asbestos related pleural thickening, asbestosis and asbestos related lung cancer?
Our experienced team understands all the legal steps that are required to seek redress, access compensation and DWP benefits and how to obtain help to cope with how the asbestos related disease you have been diagnosed with impacts your everyday life. Our asbestos claim solicitors will do everything they possibly can to make sure you are fully supported in your legal claim journey and get the very best financial package for you in successful compensation claims.
Can you put me in touch with any support groups?
There are a number of local support groups in regions around the country that can provide support after you have contacted a medical professional. For example, The London Asbestos Support Awareness Group (LASAG) is an independent charity set up to assist patients and families affected by asbestos disease across London and the South East.
How much will a claim cost?
Asbestos related disease claims are often pursued under a No Win No Fee Agreement, also called a Conditional Fee Agreement. What this means is that there will be no financial risk to you or your family in bringing a compensation claim. If the claim is successful, the insurance company that paid your compensation will pay our legal costs and expenses. Insurance arrangements will be put in place to ensure you will not have to pay anything if the claim is unsuccessful .
How long will the claim process take?
Every claim is different. Factors which affect the length of time include how many former employers are pursued, whether they are fighting the case or admitting their wrong-doing and how quickly the evidence from outside sources can be gathered together. We cannot say how long a claim will take but we can give assurances that we will progress it in the quickest possible time.
Will I have to go to court?
The vast majority of cases settle before they go to court. However, court proceedings may need to be issued to apply pressure on the other side to progress matters and let them know we are serious about your claim. The issuing of court proceedings is not something you need to be worried about – we are hugely experienced in dealing with court proceedings in asbestos disease claims and will be there from start to finish with you. If a final court hearing is needed, which is unlikely in the majority of claims, we will fully explain the process and be there to fully support you.
Can I claim on behalf of someone else?
If someone has passed away from an asbestos related condition, then the Executor of their Estate can bring a claim on behalf of the Estate and on behalf of any Dependants. A Dependant is someone who relied upon the person who has passed away, whether it be financially or in some other way. The law is very strict on who is considered a Dependant but our asbestos disease solicitors will swiftly establish who is entitled to be involved in the claim.
