Identify Special Damages when Exposed to Asbestos
How to Identify Special Asbestos was widely used as a building material right up to the 90s, and so we’re still living with its presence. When it’s packaged into a ceiling or roof, there’s very little risk of inhalation; but certain sorts of tradespeople might well find themselves coming into contact with it. And that can have severe negative effects on their health, in the long-term. For this reason, asbestos claims have become increasingly widespread in recent years – particularly among retired tradespeople.
Why is Asbestos Bad News?
According to the Health and Safety Executive, around 20 tradespeople die every week because they’ve been exposed to asbestos in the past. The trouble is that most of the symptoms don’t manifest immediately – you can walk around for years before the damage begins to make itself known.
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer most commonly associated with asbestos exposure. It damages the lining of the lungs and lower digestive tract, and is nearly always fatal. Asbestosis describes a condition in which said lining is severely scarred, which makes the victim perpetually short of breath. Then there’s standard lung cancer – the same sort you’d get from smoking.
Seeking Damages
If you’ve been exposed to asbestos, then you might be entitled to compensation in the form of damages. But to claim damages, you’ll need to work out how you’ve been affected. If you can’t trace liability to your employer, then you could be entitled to compensation from the government of around £123,000.
Let’s take a look at some of the considerations.
Care and Assistance
If you’re having to pay for specialized care, then damages will cover it. As well as this, you should consider other services you’re having to pay for, because you can’t do the task yourself – think cleaning, gardening, and DIY.
Lost Income
If you can’t work as a result of your symptoms, or if the quality of your work has begun to suffer, then your damages should be able to cover it.
Dependants
If the asbestos sufferer has died, then you might find that their dependants are entitled to statutory bereavement damages and other kinds of compensation.
Out of Pocket Expenses
Suffering from asbestos-related illness can create something of a financial burden, as you’ll be made to travel back and forth to the hospital, and to cover prescription charges. These are all things which compensation should be able to help with.
Private Medical Treatment
An asbestos sufferer might elect to seek out specialized or alternative kinds of medical treatment that aren’t offered by the NHS. The cost of this might be covered, but you’ll need to demonstrate that the care in question was a reasonable response to the illness.
