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Being told you have an asbestos disease, such as mesothelioma or asbestosis isn’t easy. It can be a very distressing time for you and your family.
Perhaps you’ve been experiencing shortness of breath, chest pains or a persistent cough for a while, and you’ve had several hospital appointments, or your diagnosis may have come out of the blue.
Feeling upset, stressed, angry or overwhelmed by your asbestos disease diagnosis is completely normal. And it can be difficult to know where to turn. That’s why it’s essential to focus on practical things you or your partner can do to help you move forward.
Specialist asbestos disease lawyer Brigit Nolan from Novum Law’s Plymouth office has helped many people to claim asbestos compensation.
Here Brigit outlines five things you should do if you are diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease:
- Learn more about your diagnosis
Understanding your asbestos disease and how it will affect your health and quality of life is an important first step. Your consultant or GP will explain your results and advise on the best treatment options for you, taking into consideration your wishes. They may also put you in touch with a specialist nurse who can offer you and your family more advice, support and practical guidance.
- Understand your legal rights
If you have been diagnosed with an asbestos disease, you may be entitled to make a claim for compensation. This is because your asbestos exposure may be due to a former employer’s negligence (for example, not warning you of the dangers of asbestos or failing to provide protective equipment such as face masks). You may also make a claim in other circumstances, for example if you were exposed to asbestos at school, from a family member’s work clothes, or if it happened many years ago.
- Get expert legal advice from a specialist asbestos lawyer
It is vital to contact an experienced asbestos disease lawyer if you have been diagnosed with asbestos disease. Only a specialist lawyer has the experience, expertise and skills to help you secure maximum compensation.
- Get some extra financial help
Following your diagnosis, you may also be entitled to receive certain state benefits. You may be able to claim for government compensation, sometimes referred to as a ‘lump sum payment’, as well as other weekly state payments Your specialist asbestos disease lawyer can provide more information about the schemes available and help you apply.
- Don’t forget to ask for support
Close family and friends are brilliant at rallying around and providing much-needed emotional support. But there are times when you can still feel isolated. Sometimes talking to a specialist nurse can help, giving you somewhere to talk openly about your fears without worrying about how your family and friends will react. Joining local asbestos support groups can also help, giving you a chance to meet others in a similar position as you.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with asbestos disease or mesothelioma, or someone close to you has sadly died after an asbestos disease diagnosis, our dedicated team of specialist asbestos lawyers can help you make a ‘No Win No Fee’ compensation claim.
Call us today for a free, no-obligation chat on 0800 884 0777, email info@novumlaw.com, or complete our online enquiry form.
