A study carried out by the Health and Safety Executive and Cancer Research revealed that cancer caused by asbestos kills more than 75 people every week in the UK. Alongside cancer there are a number of other asbestos-related diseases which are causing pain and suffering to individuals across Scotland.
Asbestos-Related Diseases.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral which was once considered a highly useful building material. It is fire resistant, protects against corrosion and is an excellent insulator. With so many qualities, it was a favoured amongst the trades, and was used by the likes of decorators, engineers, plasterers and factory workers. In Scotland, asbestos was especially prevalent in shipyards, where workers would use asbestos on a daily basis.
While links were made between asbestos and bad health in the early 1900s, it was not until the mid 1980s that asbestos was banned as a construction material. Only now are we beginning to see the real damage asbestos exposure can have on an individual's health, and every day people across Scotland are being diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease.
It is thought the problem is set to get worse in years to come, as such illnesses often take between 10 to 30 years to develop. Some of the most common types of asbestos-related illness include:-
* Asbestosis;
* Mesothelioma;
* Pleural plaques;
* Pleural thickening;
* Emphysema;
* Cancer.
These are all serious conditions which will have a debilitating effect on a person's life. In some cases, exposure to asbestos can even be fatal.
Making an Asbestos-Related Claim.
The long-term complications of asbestos exposure now fully understood, a reality which has prompted the legal system to ensure those harmed by asbestos are fully compensated for their injuries. A recent ruling in the UK Supreme Court has extended this right to Scottish people who suffer from pleural plaques.
The basis of your claim will rest upon the fact that your employer has a duty of care to look after your health and well-being. In exposing a workforce to asbestos, an employer will have put his staff at risk, therefore breaching their duty of care. In turn, you are legally entitled to make an asbestos-related claim for the pain and suffering you have endured. This is true even if you are no longer in their employment.
Is There a Time Limit?
In Scotland, personal injury claims are restricted by certain time limits, as the majority of claims must be started within three years of the incident in question. Because asbestos-related illnesses usually only become apparent many years after the exposure, the claim must begin within three years of the date you were diagnosed.
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