Pleural Thickening Compensation Claims
NoWinNoFee.com is a claims management company that helps people claim compensation for an accident or injury that wasn't their fault
With no win no fee agreements (also known as a Conditional Fee Arrangements, or CFAs), there are no upfront legal fees, which means anyone who has been involved in an accident that wasn’t their fault can gain access to justice without any financial risk. Your solicitor only gets a fee if your claim is successful. If your claim isn't successful, you won’t pay your solicitor any legal fees.
If your case is successful, typically you will pay 25% (including VAT) of your compensation to your solicitor, although they will discuss any fees before starting your case. To ensure your claim is risk free, your solicitor may take out an insurance policy on your behalf. If you terminate the agreement, you may have to pay fees for the time already spent on your claim, or due to: lack of cooperation, misleading your solicitor, missing medical or expert examinations, or not attending court hearings.
There are some instances where you are not required to use the services of a claims management company, and are able to claim yourself, for free, directly via the relevant ombudsman/compensation scheme. These include:
- Criminal injuries: The Criminal Injury Compensation Authority (England, Wales, and Scotland) or the Criminal Injury Compensation Scheme (Northern Ireland)
- Minor road accidents: The Official Injury Claim Portal
- Accidents involving uninsured drivers: The Motor Insurers' Bureau
Pleural Thickening Compensation Claims
Pleural thickening is a serious condition that affects your ability to work and perform daily activities. It’s closely associated with asbestos exposure, making it more common in industrial settings. If you’ve been diagnosed with pleural thickening, you could be eligible to make a claim.
Call now on 0800 234 6438
Can you receive compensation for pleural thickening?
Being diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease can have a devastating impact on your life. While there’s no cure for the condition, many people live for years after their diagnosis and have the same life expectancy as others—with the correct treatment.
However, pleural thickening often means drastic lifestyle changes, as the condition can cause a great deal of pain and suffering. You might not be able to work or need help to perform daily activities, but compensation provides vital financial support.
To determine your eligibility to claim compensation for an asbestos-related disease, please call 0800 234 6438 or fill in the online form for a callback from a trained legal advisor. If they believe you have a claim to make, they’ll partner you with a specialist team who will represent you on a no win no fee basis.
What is pleural thickening?
Diffuse pleural thickening is a severe condition that causes the pleural membranes around the lungs to thicken. It’s non-cancerous but can cause serious side effects, including chest pain and problems breathing, making it hard to perform daily activities.
If you’re diagnosed with pleural thickening, you have a higher chance of developing other asbestos-related illnesses, including lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma.
According to GOV.UK, around 36,000 to 90,000 people develop plaques each year, but there are no concrete stats. What we do know is it’s one of the more common industrial injuries.
Why make a pleural thickening claim?
Employers must adhere to numerous health and safety laws when protecting their workforce, and the Asbestos Regulations clearly outline the responsibilities of businesses and building owners. They must:
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Ensure all precautions are taken.
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Perform regular risk assessments.
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Let people know they might be exposed to asbestos.
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Provide effective PPE (personal protective equipment).
If your employer fails to follow these guidelines and you’re diagnosed with pleural thickening, you have every right to make a claim and hold them responsible.
Diffuse pleural thickening can take over 20 years to appear after exposure to asbestos, but you can still make a claim.
What causes asbestos related diseases?
As a naturally occurring fibre, asbestos was once considered as a safe material, but it poses numerous threats to humans that are regularly exposed to it. There are three main types of asbestos fibres:
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Amosite (Brown Fibres)
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Crocidolite (Blue Fibres)
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Chrysotile (White Fibres)
Construction companies often used asbestos as an insulation material, spraying it on walls, ceilings and roofing. As long as asbestos remains in tact, it’s unlikely to cause damage, but when it breaks down, small fibres are released and breathing them in can cause long-term damage.
Asbestos related diseases are rare in people that have occupied a building, and are more common in individuals who might have breathed in the fibres either through working with the material or handling it when washing clothing.
The causes of pleural plaques
While there are numerous causes of pleural thickening, the most common include:
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Asbestos Exposure: Industries that used asbestos often left workers vulnerable. Inhaling the fibres could result in plaques forming, and pleural thickening develops over years.
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Other Substances: Some chemicals and substances, including silica dust, can also cause pleural thickening.
Other potential causes include a haemothorax, empyema and pulmonary embolism. Some people might develop pleural plaques due to another condition or receiving radiation therapy.
The people with higher rates of pleural thickening include:
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Construction Workers
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Insulators
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Mechanics
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Boiler Manufacturers
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Shipyard Workers
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Mechanics
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Plumbers
Buildings built before 2000 often contain asbestos, as the dangers weren’t officially recognised until then.
The symptoms of pleural thickening
When pleural plaques develop, they can cause a range of symptoms. Some are relatively mild, while others might impact your ability to enjoy a well-rounded lifestyle.
The common symptoms are:
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Chest pain when moving or breathing.
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Feeling short of breath when performing activities, including climbing the stairs or doing general housework.
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Chronic coughs that produce phlegm—although they can be dry.
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Persistent fatigue doesn’t go away.
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Feeling exhausted after exercising or not being able to work out effectively.
If your pleural thickening is turning into another asbestos-related illness, the symptoms can worsen.
Making pleural thickening claims
Claiming compensation for pleural thickening can give you the financial support you deserve and hold the negligent party responsible. By contacting 0800 234 6438 for free or filling out the online form, you can speak to a trained legal advisor and discover whether you’re eligible to make a claim.
Once your legal advisor learns more about your condition, they’ll connect you with a no win no fee solicitor, who will take on your case. You don’t pay any upfront fees and the solicitor will only receive their payment if they win your case.
Calculating your award
When calculating a potential award, your solicitor will look at any available evidence and learn more about your condition and how it impacts your life. It’s important to remember that asbestos-related diseases can happen for numerous reasons, and your lawyer will need to prove your employer was negligent.
Negotiations
If you’re claiming compensation against your employer, it will probably go through their insurance provider. These negotiations can take time, as both parties must agree on an amount, which means reviewing evidence and determining how the condition impacts your life.
The insurance provider might also ask you to attend a medical assessment, which can help your claim as it proves the extra support you require.
Settlement
Once both parties settle on compensation, you’ll receive the money, and your solicitor will take their fees out of the award. You can use the money to pay for other treatments, replenish your finances or anything else that might help you.
Evidence to support your pleural thickening claim
Proving personal injury claims can be tricky if you don’t have enough evidence, but your solicitor will help gather information on your behalf. However, it can also help if you collect evidence to support your claim because it can speed things along.
The following can all help prove you developed pleural thickening as a result of employer negligence:
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Get supporting evidence from a medical professional that details the extent of your pleural thickening and how it impacts your life. The more detailed the report is, the smoother your claim will go.
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Prove you developed the conditions due to asbestos exposure. For example, if you worked in a particular industry or spent a lot of time in a building that used asbestos.
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Demonstrate that your employer knew the risks of asbestos but didn’t take the necessary steps to protect you from its dangers. For example, they should have provided PPE or chosen alternative materials.
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If your employer didn’t provide adequate training for working with asbestos fibres or failed to tell you about it, this is also proof of negligence.
How much compensation will I receive?
Asbestos solicitors are experts in working with injured claimants to help them win compensation, but each case is unique. There’s no set amount with these claims because it depends on how severe your injuries are and their impact on your daily life.
The compensation awarded depends on two categories:
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General Damages: The illness and any pain or suffering caused by pleural thickening.
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Special Damages: The costs of living with your condition, including transportation, medical fees and losses of earnings.
As pleural thickening impacts each person differently, your compensation amount will also depend on the severity of your condition. However, ballpark amounts usually range from £12,000 to £89,000.
Asking your solicitor will give you a realistic estimate, as they have experience negotiating these cases.
Ready to make a pleural thickening compensation claim?
If you want to claim compensation for asbestos exposure, please complete the online form or call 0800 234 6438 today. A trained legal advisor will discuss your condition and connect you with a reputable no win no fee legal service.
Compensation can’t make up for the effects of pleural thickening, but it can provide vital financial support and hold negligent parties responsible.
How long do I have to make a claim?
You have three years from the date of your pleural thickening diagnosis to claim compensation. Remember, the condition can take 20 years or more to appear, which means you might claim against a business that no longer exists.
However, your solicitor will discuss the case with you in more detail and try to secure compensation for asbestos-related pleural thickening.
Can I claim compensation if my pleural thickening becomes a more serious disease?
Yes, you can. While many people don’t develop a more severe asbestos-related illness, some might receive a diagnosis of asbestosis, mesothelioma or asbestos-related lung cancer. People with asbestosis live for ten years on average after their diagnosis.
However, mesothelioma is a complicated condition, and just under half of people won’t survive for one year or longer if diagnosed with stage two (Cancer Research). Only 5% of people live for five years after their diagnosis, so the compensation you receive will be much higher.
Why make pleural thickening claims on a no win no fee basis?
Entering into a conditional fee agreement with a solicitor means there are no risks associated with the claim. Traditional legal services often charge upfront fees, and you’ll have to pay them – regardless of whether your claim is successful.
With a no win no fee agreement, you can access specialist pleural thickening solicitors who have handled these cases before. Also, they’ll focus on your claim as getting you the maximum compensation means they’ll receive higher fees.
My spouse died due to asbestos disease. Can I claim on their behalf?
Yes, in most cases, you can make a claim. However, it’s best to check with asbestos lawyers first, as they understand the laws. Claiming compensation after your spouse passes away can help you recover financially from the loss and ensure the employer or building owner takes responsibility for their actions.
