Bob, our client

Mesothelioma Compensation Claims

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What Is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Our solicitors understand that this condition will have a huge effect on your life and the lives of those close to you. If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, our lawyers could help you claim compensation.

The condition most commonly affects the lining of the lung (pleura), but mesothelioma can develop in the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum) and the heart (pericardium).

Can I Claim Mesothelioma Compensation?

Many of our clients have developed mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos at work decades previously, so you can trust our experience to investigate your employment history and track down those responsible for your illness. We can also help you make a claim through the Government’s Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme if you’re unable to find the employer responsible for your condition.

How Much Mesothelioma Compensation Can I Claim?

Mesothelioma compensation amounts can vary, but we take into account a number of factors when calculating your claim. We'll look at the impact of the illness on your life, as well as your loss of income and any care costs. You may also be able to make a claim for 'dependency' if a loved one - someone you were financially dependent on - has passed away from mesothelioma.

Are There Time Limits For Making A Mesothelioma Claim?

You’ll normally have three years to make a claim from the date you were diagnosed with mesothelioma. If you want to claim on behalf of a loved one who has sadly died because of mesothelioma, you’ll have three years to make a claim from the date of the death or from the point where a post-mortem revealed asbestos exposure as the cause of death.

Asbestos-related diseases often take decades to develop but we could still help you make a claim. We could help you act against your former employer, even if you haven’t worked there for a long time, or if they’ve ceased trading.

Why Choose Irwin Mitchell?

We’ve helped many people with mesothelioma claims after a diagnosis of the asbestos-related disease – we’re very familiar with the symptoms of mesothelioma and the issues you’ll be facing with your loved ones.

We also understand all the legal ramifications for someone with this debilitating disease and how we can help you access much-needed compensation. Our solicitors will work hard to make sure your quality of life is the best it can be, and that your family’s financial future is secure.

Can I Make A No Win No Fee Claim?

A No Win No Fee agreement means that you don’t have to pay any upfront fees when you make an asbestos claim.* And if your claim doesn’t succeed, you won’t have to pay anything at all.

What happens if your claim does succeed depends on what type of claim you make:
  • For mesothelioma claims – you keep 100% of your compensation.
  • For asbestosis, asbestos-related lung cancer, pleural thickening, and pleural plaque claims – we don't ask you to make any contribution to your legal costs but you will need to pay the litigation insurance premium from your compensation if you win the case.

This is because in 2012, the UK government decided that mesothelioma is so serious that the normal No Win No Fee rules shouldn’t apply.

Contact Us

We encourage you to contact us as soon as you’re diagnosed, even if you’re not sure when you were exposed to asbestos. We can help you identify at what point you were exposed and will help you make a claim against your present or past employer.

Handled landmark asbestos cases in the High Court
No Win, No Fee*
UK's largest team of asbestos solicitors
Advice on benefit eligibility

Call us for a free initial consultation

0800 056 4110

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Phone lines are open 24/7, 365 days a year
Adrian Budgen
Adrian Budgen Partner Meet the team

Mesothelioma Claims - More Information

The money has allowed me not to worry if I need to pay someone to help out. It was settled out of court… but at least it was some form of recognition. Clive would have been pleased with that."

Sue, client

Bob's Story – Turning Anger Into Optimism

Genuine care made all the difference Our client, bob

Bob was diagnosed with mesothelioma less than a year after losing a friend to the same asbestos-related disease. It left him feeling bitter and angry.

But he knew he could claim compensation to help him access private treatment and got in touch with our mesothelioma claims solicitors. Nicola Handley took on his case and got Bob the compensation he deserved.

The compensation settlement has funded advanced treatments and given his family financial security for the future. Bob's anger has turned into optimism and he's been able to fundraise for Mesothelioma UK, a charity that has helped him through his journey.

Read Bob's full story

Nicola Handley

“Representing Bob has been a real privilege, and it was very emotional when I called him to explain he’d won the case. This not only means that Bob can continue to have the best possible treatment but that his family will have financial security when he is no longer with us." - Nicola Handley, Associate Solicitor

Bob, client

"Nicola was always very supportive, worked through things with me. She’s been brilliant throughout and very, very caring to me and my family." - Bob, client

Read More Client Stories

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are The Causes Of Mesothelioma?

The only known cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos, which can happen in many different ways and places. There are three main kinds of asbestos exposure: 

  • Occupational: when the exposure happens at work
  • Secondary: when an employee’s loved ones are exposed to asbestos through dust/fibres on their work clothing
  • Environmental: when the area around an asbestos site is contaminated by airborne fibres. We represented June Hancock in her ground-breaking case against an asbestos factory in Armley.

We’ll work hard to make sure you receive the compensation you deserve, whatever the nature of your asbestos exposure. Even if you were exposed to asbestos decades ago and aren’t sure exactly where it happened, we’ll investigate your case thoroughly to find those responsible for your illness. Our mesothelioma lawyers are highly qualified and experienced, and we’ll always put your best interests at the forefront of everything we do.

Our team includes many of the country’s most respected mesothelioma lawyers. We offer the highest level of legal expertise in mesothelioma claims and can visit you at home if necessary. Please phone us on 0800 056 4110 to begin making your claim or contact us online.

What Precautions Against Asbestos Exposure Should My Employer Have Taken?

Employers have a legal responsibility to protect their workers from harm. This duty of care extends to doing as much as possible to prevent you from coming into direct contact with harmful substances like asbestos.

Even though asbestos was only completely banned in 1999, its health risks became well known in the 1960s, so employers can still be held legally responsible for asbestos exposure that happened years ago.

If you worked with asbestos, your employer should have:

  • Warned you of the harmful nature of asbestos
  • Safely disposed of asbestos waste/dust, preventing any contact with workers or the general public
  • Provided you with respiratory protection (as well as other safety equipment) to stop you coming into direct contact with asbestos when working with it

When employers fail to follow asbestos safety procedures, the consequences can be tragic - not only for the workers who are directly exposed to asbestos but also for their families. For example, we’ve helped people who developed mesothelioma after washing their partner’s asbestos-covered overalls.

If you’ve developed mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos, our solicitors could help you secure vital compensation. Phone us on 0800 056 4110 for a free initial consultation about your case.

What If The Company I Worked For No Longer Exists?

Even if your ex-employer is no longer in business, you may be able to claim compensation. Since 1972, it’s been a legal requirement for companies to have employers’ liability insurance covering the risk of their workers being harmed.

These insurance policies will still be valid after the company itself has gone out of business, so you can still claim compensation through them many years later.

Many employers had this kind of insurance before 1972 but if your employer didn’t, you can still make a compensation claim through the Diffuse Mesothelioma Payments Scheme. This scheme is also intended to help people who aren’t able to track down the details of their employer or insurer. Please visit our Diffuse Mesothelioma Payments Scheme page for more information.

We have access to a number of databases that we can use to investigate your employment history. Our solicitors have years of experience tracking down those responsible for our clients’ exposure to asbestos. Call us on 0800 056 4110 for a free initial consultation about your case or contact us online.

Read More FAQs

Related Information - Mesothelioma Claims

Pleural Thickening - our team can help if you've been diagnosed with pleural thickening
Asbestos Lung Cancer - we can advise you if you've been diagnosed with cancer following asbestos exposure
Asbestos Claims Guide - find out more about making an asbestos claim
Diffuse Mesothelioma Payments Scheme - find out about this scheme for claimants who can’t trace an employer

Scottish Flag All Scottish cases will be handled by the Scottish law firm with which we are associated, Irwin Mitchell Scotland LLP. The law relating to funding is different in Scotland and you will receive separate advice about what that means as well as a separate funding agreement.

*To make a No Win No Fee claim, you need to enter into an agreement that's linked to a suitable insurance policy. We'll explain this in more detail before we start your claim.

Awards & Recognition

We're always proud to be recognised for the work we do for our clients and have been named as a leading firm in the latest legal guides - which provide information and recommendations about lawyers and law firms in the UK.

The Times Best Law Firms 2019
Chambers & Partners 2020 logo
Hold their ground under pressure
Aggressive litigators prepared to take on large insurers in asbestos litigation on behalf of individuals (usually with fatal asbestos diseases). They are prepared to hold their ground under pressure and develop new points of law."
Legal 500, 2020
Head and shoulders above others
They make themselves available to their clients and are willing to go the extra mile."
Chambers & Partners, 2020

What Our Clients Say

We truly value and appreciate the feedback we receive from our clients, as we look to improve the services we offer on an ongoing basis.

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5
TRUSTSCORE 4.8

Based on 8884 reviews
5
Excellent and professional...

I am very pleased with the help I received from Irwin Mitchell.

Everything was explained to me quite clearly before they took on my case, and because they were confident that I had a case, I felt confident that they would…

Cherron Webb
5
The service I received…

The service I received from Irwin Mitchell was impeccable. I was carried along from start to finish. Claire King was amazingly awesome. All the Customer Service Representatives was absolutely polite and professional…


Thomas Ladipo
5
Call them!

From the first call to the end of the process they were highly professional and supportive.

I contacted them following a stressful life changing event. They had been through this before and understood the process well…

Sheila Beck
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Mesothelioma UK

Proudly supporting charities like Mesothelioma UK.



Mesothelioma UK are dedicated to providing free specialist information, support, care and treatment for those suffering with asbestos-related diseases.

We work closely with the charity, and are listed as recommended legal support for those looking for compensation and additional support.

As well as a number of local charities, we’re a proud supporter of the:

  • Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation
  • June Hancock Mesothelioma Research Fund
  • Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund

We also recently represented the Forum of Asbestos Support Groups in the Supreme Court.


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Our offices are located in major cities throughout the UK and have excellent transport links.

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About Irwin Mitchell

Founded in Sheffield in 1912, Irwin Mitchell has always been a bit different. Our advisers really get to know the people and business that we help.

It's what we call 'expert hand, human touch'.

We have offices around the UK so wherever you are, our experts can help.

Contact Us

Give us a ring to speak to a member of our team in the strictest confidence. Or you can fill out our contact form and we'll ring you back.

0370 1500 100

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