Adrian Budgen

I work with people who’ve contracted asbestos disease and their families, primarily people with mesothelioma and their carers. I’ve had the immense privilege of representing several hundred clients, suffering from various asbestos-related diseases, for almost four decades now.

They’re all innocent victims and their only ‘crime’ was to breathe the air at their place of work or in their home environment. My youngest client was just 32 when he was diagnosed with mesothelioma, an incurable asbestos cancer.

Hancock -v- JW Roberts Limited - the first environmental asbestos ever case to be brought in a UK court. The case was against Turner & Newall, who owned and operated the asbestos factory in Armley, Leeds – a real David v Goliath battle. I had the sad privilege of representing the late June Hancock in her famous ground-breaking case.

Farmer -v- Rolls-Royce – at the time the largest award of damages (£4.37m) in an asbestos case in the UK. I represented the late Tony Farmer and his wife, Lucia, following his mesothelioma diagnosis. Tony Farmer was a very successful entrepreneur. Tony’s case went to trial in Leeds High Court.

Emerson -v- Camden & Islington Health Authority – the first successful hospital exposure case to be brought. I represented the late James Emerson, a consultant plastic surgeon from Sheffield, who sadly developed mesothelioma in his mid-40s. James had been exposed to asbestos at the old Middlesex Hospital in London whilst training to be a doctor. The claim settled for a seven-figure sum.

Employers’ Liability Insurance (‘Trigger’) Litigation – we represented Ruth Durham, the daughter of the late Leslie Screach, who died from mesothelioma. Ruth’s was the lead case in the ELI ‘trigger’ litigation, composed of six lead actions involving four insurers. We successfully argued that it was the employer’s liability insurer (BAI) at the time that Mr Screach was exposed to asbestos (during the course of his employment) who should respond to the claim and pay compensation. The case went to the Supreme Court. 

We have the largest specialist team of asbestos and occupational disease lawyers in the UK. We represent clients on a ‘no win no fee’ basis in almost every case meaning there’s no financial risk to you in pursuing a claim.

We always gather the best evidence available, both factual and expert, in order to present a claim for compensation (‘damages’) in cases we think stand a reasonable chance of success. It doesn’t matter if your employer no longer exists as we can usually trace the relevant employer’s liability insurer.

We’ll support you every step of the way. It’s very rare that a case goes to trial, even if a claim is issued at court, as most claims are settled by agreement without a contested hearing. But in the unlikely event your claim goes to court, we’ll give you steadfast representation to secure you the compensation you need.

We offer a holistic service so that, as well as advising on any possible claim for compensation, we look at entitlement to injury-related benefits and other government compensation.

We work with the leading asbestos support group charities in the country, as well as Mesothelioma UK, Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis and the June Hancock Mesothelioma Research Fund. Our support and rehabilitation team can also offer you expert non-legal help and advice.