Compensation for victims of asbestos related disease
A dedicated team of lawyers in the North East who fight for compensation on behalf of people suffering from asbestos related disease have recovered more than £11.6 million for clients in the last 12 months.
Thompsons Solicitors', specialist asbestos team, based in Newcastle, has successfully obtained compensation on behalf of asbestos sufferers and their families throughout the region. The firm has over 20 offices throughout the UK.
In the North East thousands of workers were exposed to asbestos dust while building ships on the River Tyne and River Wear. Many others were exposed to asbestos during their employment in factories, building sites and even in schools and canteens.
Thompsons’ asbestos team provides legal assistance to people with asbestos related diseases including mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer.
The firm only ever acts for injured people and has a long tradition of representing trade unions, their members and their families by providing high quality free legal advice.
The firm is known for its campaigning stance on issues affecting people exposed to asbestos.
Exposure to asbestos led to Mesothelioma
Thompsons successfully completed a case for the family of former Walker Naval Yard worker Charles Cochran from Middlesbrough.
Mr Cochran was awarded £150,000 in compensation after he was diagnosed with mesothelioma following exposure to asbestos as a pipe fitter at the yard, based on the River Tyne.
He was also exposed to asbestos as a pipe fitter at the ICI chemical plant in Wilton, Teesside.
The claim was settled just four months after instructions were received by Thompsons.
Thompsons Solicitors continue to fight for their clients' rights
During the last year Thompsons’ asbestos team has campaigned for the level of bereavement payments for mesothelioma sufferer’s families to be brought in line with those paid in Scotland.
They have also been involved in the union led campaign to restore compensation for people diagnosed with pleural plaques after the right was withdrawn by a House of Lords decision last year. The Government has just recently announced a consultation which is expected to be published this month.
The firm are currently involved in a nine week High Court test case to protect the rights to compensation for mesothelioma sufferers and their families. A judgement is expected in the autumn.
Head of Thompsons Solicitors' national asbestos litigation team, Ian McFall said: “During the last year the compensation we have won for our clients has made a real difference to their lives. Many of them were seriously disabled or terminally ill because they were negligently exposed to asbestos during their employment. They have been able to pursue successful claims without it costing them a penny.
“Compensation payments for asbestos victims have been under siege from the insurance industry and we shall continue to fight for our clients to ensure their rights are protected.”
Asbestos disease diagnosis? Talk to us for advice and support on how to secure compensation.
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, we can support you with advice on how to make a claim.
The process will be explained in plain English and with no obligation – our priority is to provide you with the best, expert advice on whether you have a valid case for compensation, and to signpost you to further sources of support.
There are strict time limits applied to making a claim – usually three years from the date of diagnosis. It doesn’t matter if the exposure to asbestos took place – as it often does – decades ago, the three year time limit applies to the date of knowledge of diagnosis or date of death.
For further information, visit our How to Make A Compensation Claim page.