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Mesothelioma Compensation Claims Scotland

Our personal Injury Solicitors cover the whole of Scotland and specialize in Scottish law. We work on a no win no fee basis which means all your legal fees are covered. Unlike many firms our lawyers don’t take any of your compensation you get to keep 100% of your compensation. In order for us to fight your case to get the maximum award it is vital you contact us as soon as possible as any delay could damage your chances of winning the compensation you deserve.

Call us now for a FREE consultation on 0800 011 9547

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer targeting the lining of the lungs and other internal organs, and is mostly caused by prolonged exposure to asbestos. The life expectancy of a patient from confirmation of the disease upon diagnosis is on an average of 8 to 10 months. Mesothelioma manifests after 15 to 40 year of being exposed to asbestos. If you were exposed asbestos years ago and you start developing the following symptoms, you should visit your doctor or specialist and discuss your concerns.

Mesothelioma Symptoms

  • Moderate to severe pain in the abdomen, chest or lower back
  • Breathing difficulties, tightness in the chest or shortness of breath
  • Persistent cough
  • Diarrhea, sweating, constipation, or fevers
  • Rapid weight loss
  • Abdominal swelling
  • Vomiting or nausea

There are people suffering from mesothelioma who don’t manifest symptoms at its early stages, which is why it is important to visit your GP for a medical consultation if you know that you have been exposed to asbestos for a prolonged period in the past. Any damaged related to asbestos can be detected by an x-ray or a scan.

Who Can Be At Risk?

Asbestos was widely used in fire protection materials as well as in insulation for buildings and factories. Many workers who have been in direct contact with this harmful substance are often unaware of the risks. They also do not immediately realize the risk because there is a 30-50 year latent period following exposure, a long time before the disease develops and manifests.

Workers who are at high risk of being afflicted with mesothelioma include:

  • Plasterers
  • Gas fitters
  • Builders
  • Shipyard workers
  • Construction workers
  • Plumbers
  • Sheet metal workers
  • Carpenters
  • Painters
  • Welders
  • Electrician
  • Telephone engineers

Most buildings erected before 1985 may contain asbestos, including schools, hospitals and churches. An individual with mesothelioma may believe that they have not been exposed to asbestos at all during their employment, but in fact may have been exposed to asbestos dust and fibres during the construction of the building. There are numerous cases recorded wherein hospital staff and teachers developed mesothelioma within the past 10 years.

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Even family members of the people who previously worked closely to asbestos may also have been indirectly exposed when the worker brought asbestos fibers and dust collected in their work overalls. Known as secondary exposure, it is nevertheless a major cause of mesothelioma, and you can still make a compensation claim for this.

 

When Should I Start Making A Claim? Is There A Time Limit?

If you have been diagnostically found to be afflicted with mesothelioma, you are eligible to file a claim for mesothelioma compensation. You can make a compensation claim if the diagnosis was made within the last 5 years. For family members, they can make a mesothelioma claim in behalf of a relative who has already passed away, as long as it is within a few years of the victim’s date of death.

To maximize your chances of success in making a claim, it is best to instruct a mesothelioma compensation lawyer in Scotland who has access to databases and information often not available to the public. With the right kind of information, the solicitor will know where to look for the insurance companies of business that are no longer operating. If and when the solicitor is unable to find and insurer against whom to make a claim, you will still be able to make a claim from the Government, however, this means you can only receive 80% of the civil claim award as stipulated in the Mesothelioma Bill.

Make sure you contact us as at Mesothelioma Claims Scotland as soon as possible as any delay could damage your chances of maximum compensation. Call us now for a FREE consultation on 0800 011 9547

Useful links
http://www.macmillan.org.uk/
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/asbestosis/Pages/Introduction.aspx