Pleural thickening compensation claims

An excellent track record of securing the maximum compensation

Expertise across a wide range of industrial disease claims

Putting your interests first, for you and your family

Compensation when you need it most when time may be short

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Specialist advice in pleural thickening claims

‘Pleural thickening compensation can be a complex area. You need a safe pair of hands to bring a successful claim.’

If you have come into contact with asbestos in the past, and have now developed pleural thickening that is restricting your breathing you may be able to make a claim for pleural thickening compensation. However, a claim may be complex and you will need specialist advice to succeed, which is where Royds Withy King can help.

Pleural thickening claims explained

Pleural thickening occurs where benign areas of thickening of the lungs develop as your body reacts to asbestos fibres you breathed in many years before. Pleural thickening can lead to shortness of breath, and you may feel pain and discomfort too. You need specialist advice because many other conditions can cause pleural thickening or shortness of breath. To make a successful pleural thickening claim you need to assess whether the pleural thickening has been caused by your work with asbestos, and how much it is affecting your breathing.

  • Making a claim for compensation
    If you are making a claim for compensation for pleural thickening, you want a dedicated lawyer who understands the issues and focuses on your individual circumstances. We have the experience to make a successful claim, speedily and sensitively, to get you the compensation you deserve.
  • Determining the cause
    You may only have experienced symptoms of pleural thickening fairly recently. Even so, it could be many years since you first came into contact with asbestos. We have a thorough knowledge of where and when asbestos was used, and will ask the right questions to pinpoint how and when you were exposed.

Contact our team of specialist industrial disease solicitors today, or read more intofmation on how we can help you with your industrial disease compensation claim;


Our credentials

“What the team is known for: Somerset-based practice that comes recommended for its focus on spinal cord and brain injuries. Also offers niche expertise in areas such as fatal accidents and animal cases. Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients): “They are all very approachable and friendly, and I think that’s the culture that exists throughout the firm. They are a close-knit team.” “They have that mentality of looking after the client first as opposed to their own interests. They always do what’s best for the client.” Notable practitioners: Stuart Brazington (Band 1) offers particular expertise in serious spinal cord and brain injury cases. According to one interviewee, he “knows his cases extremely well” and “has good judgement about which points are likely to be important.” Mark Hambleton (Associate to watch) covers a broad range of personal injury matters, including animal cases, sports injuries and motorcycle accidents. Sources describe him as “always very impressive” and note that he’s “very good with clients.””  Chambers 2017 Somerset

“What the team is known for: Outstanding personal injury practice adept at handling an impressive breadth of claims, including equine matters, industrial disease cases and cycling accidents. Notable expertise in chronic pain and fatal accident cases, as well as offering significant experience in catastrophic injury claims. Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients): “They were all empathetic but businesslike, and this formed absolutely the right mixture. Their advice was delivered to me in exactly the right way.” “They were brilliant and supportive.” Work highlights Acted for a professional jockey in a claim arising from a racing accident in Australia that resulted in complete paraplegia. The case was partially tried at the Royal Courts of Justice in London. Advised the widow of a man killed by a bullock, bringing precedent-setting liability claims under the Animals Act. Notable practitioners: Ian Carrier (Band 1) offers extensive expertise in catastrophic injuries, with a particular focus on spinal and brain claims. Impressed clients describe him as “very experienced and knowledgeable,” and note that he “has a genuine interest in you as a person.” He is also praised for his creative approach to complex cases. Tracy Norris-Evans (Band 1) draws on a wealth of experience in severe injury claims, including paediatric cases and those involving complex neurological issues. She frequently acts as a trustee in high-value settlements. According to one impressed source, Helen Childs (Band 2) was “absolutely superb from the outset” and had “phenomenal attention to detail.” She is held in high regard for her focus on major asbestos-related claims.” Chambers 2017 Oxford and Surrounds

“Royds Withy King sits on the panels for the United Kingdom Acquired Brain Injury Forum and Headway. Department head Louise Hart handles amputation, orthopaedic injuries, chronic pain, PTSD and facial injury matters. Stuart Brazington is also recommended.” Legal 500 2016 South West

“Royds Withy King, Tracy Norris-Evans is renowned for brain injury and paediatric work, and ‘shrewd lawyer and tactician’ Richard Brooks specialises in claims involving animals. Also recommended are Ian Carrier, who is adept in spinal injury claims; and Helen Childs, who leads the industrial diseases practice.” Legal 500 2016 South East


  • Legal 500 - Top Tier
  • Apil Accredited
  • Lexcel - Legal Practice Quality Mark
  • Chambers 2017 - Top Ranked
  • Working in partnership with Scope
  • The Law Society Accredited - Personal Injury

Industrial disease compensation claims

Meet the team

You [Helen Childs] have moved heaven and earth! Well done. Thank you so much - you are brilliant.
Royds Withy King client

FAQs

Unfortunately unsafe working practices in industry often continued after
the knowledge of the dangers of asbestos developed. Since the mid 1960s at the very latest, all employers should have known that exposure to even low levels of asbestos was dangerous. Before that they should have been aware of the health risks of more substantial exposure. However, many industries continued to use asbestos without providing their workers with any protection. This means a claim is often possible even where it can’t be shown that your own boss was actually aware of the dangers of asbestos.

Don’t worry. We will talk to you about your working history. It’s understandable that dates become muddled after so many years. The most important thing is to try and remember who you worked for and what you were doing for them. We can work out the dates and fill in any gaps by obtaining your employment records from the Inland Revenue.

Possibly. Many building workers were on a ticket in the 70s and 80s. Often, they worked for an employer who determined their hours of work and what they would do each day. If the “employer” exercised a lot of control over the worker, the courts will often treat them as “effectively an employee” – and a claim may well be possible, despite you being officially self employed.

Many of our clients don’t. Maybe you weren’t told that the materials you worked with contained asbestos. You might have called them by a trade name or nickname “Asbestolux” or “big 6’s” or “compound/compo” or even “monkey muck” or “pig muck.”
Alternatively, you might not have worked with asbestos. Maybe you lived near an asbestos factory or maybe one of your relatives worked with asbestos.
We will explore all the various possibilities with you and advise you about the best way forward.

You do need evidence to bring a claim but we never expect our clients to gather this evidence without our help and guidance. There may be some information in your Dad’s medical records or Inland Revenue history. We may have acted for someone who had a similar occupation or who worked at the same place as your Dad. We can help piece together your Dad’s working life. We commonly help families like yours bring a claim, even when other solicitors say they can’t help. While nothing can ever compensate your Mum we would seek to recover the cost of caring for her within any claim.

Possibly. It will depend on what basis your compensation was agreed before. If it was a “provisional damages” award then it should be a fairly simple matter to reopen the case and seek further damages. If, however, it was a
“full and final” settlement then that option would not be open to you, unless a potential defendant had been missed. We succeeded in the landmark case of Lloyd v Humphreys and Glasgow (see p.13) after two other reputable firms refused to pursue a claim and another asbestos specialist barrister had advised there was no case. You might also not have had proper advice before agreeing to settle on this basis, in which case a claim against your previous lawyers might be possible. We are happy to advise you.

Don’t be. We would act on your behalf under a “no win, no fee” agreement. This will protect you against the risk of a big legal bill and also means there will be nothing to pay if you lose. Unlike many other firms, we won’t ask you to pay upfront for anything.

Strictly speaking, you have 3 years from the date when you were diagnosed with a symptomatic asbestos-related condition to claim compensation. It can sometimes be quite difficult to assess when this time limit begins to run, and we can advise you on this. If more than 3 years have passed the court has a discretion to allow your claim to proceed – but many lawyers are too cautious to take on out of time cases. You really need a specialist fighting your corner. We regularly succeed with cases that are officially out of time.

Case Study

Claim for Mesothelioma sufferer - a Mum who laundered her son’s work clothes who died in 2003 settled (more than) 10 years after the expiry of the limitation period.

News

WITNESS APPEAL: Did you work for Fellows & Co, R J Johnson & Co or Morrells Brewery Ltd or as a porter at United Oxford Hospitals?

Opinion

New hope for mesothelioma and asbestos disease victims following Court of Appeal ruling

Posted by

Senior Associate

Fact sheet

Airborne Newsletter 3rd Edition January 2018

Case study

Industrial Diseases Team secures £160,000 for carpenter with mesothelioma

Opinion

Asbestos in schools: manage or remove?

Posted by

Senior Associate


Contact us now to find out how we can help with pleural thickening claims by calling 0800 051 8056 or email pi.enquiries@roydswithyking.com

0800 051 8056

Email uspi.enquiries@roydswithyking.com

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