Mesothelioma Compensation Claims

Updated July 2026

If you or a member of your family has suffered from mesothelioma and you believe there could be a link between the illness and an employer’s negligence talk to us about mesothelioma compensation claims.

Call our team today on 0333 358 3034 or get in touch online to request a call-back at a time that’s convenient for you. We partner with personal injury lawyers who are highly experienced in work injury claims. They offer a free consultation, as well as a No Win, No Fee agreement.

What Is Mesothelioma and When Can You Claim?

Mesothelioma is an incurable form of cancer that affects people who have been exposed to asbestos, often in the workplace.

According to Cancer Research UK, rates of mesothelioma have decreased in 2021/22, with an estimated 2400 new cases expected each year by 2038-2040. Their statistics also reveal that more males than females are diagnosed with mesothelioma. Figures for 2019 – 2022, show that there were around 490 new cases in females compared to 2,100 new cases in males in those years.

Women can also suffer from mesothelioma as a result of exposure to clothes or equipment that have been contaminated with asbestos fibres and brought home from a workplace.

Mesothelioma claims can also be classed as an industrial illness claim, as cases of the illness are nearly always triggered by exposure to asbestos while at work.

According to the NHS, the illness can take more than 10 years to develop and in the majority of cases, exposure has occurred between 20 – 40 years and it can reach up to 60 years in some cases.

Am I At Risk Of Mesothelioma?

The main cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos in the workplace. This material was used heavily in a range of different public and private sector buildings, particularly during the middle of the last century. The awareness of the dangers of asbestos did not come to the fore until the seventies and eighties. Even though the substance is now banned, it is still present in some buildings. In addition, the effects of being exposed to asbestos are beginning to show, despite it being often several decades ago.

People who have lived close to areas where there is a lot of asbestos, as well as the wives of the people who worked in environments where asbestos was present, may also be able to make a mesothelioma claim as long as there is enough evidence to show third party blame.

Types Of Mesothelioma

The name mesothelioma derives from mesothelial cells which have mutated in people who suffer from the illness. There are four main types of mesothelioma:

1. Pleural mesothelioma

This is the most common form and it develops in the lining of the lungs; asbestos fibres get into the lung lining making breathing difficult and painful. Patients suffer from shortness of breath, a dry cough, fatigue, night sweats and chest pain. Treatment options vary, depending on how advanced the disease is. If it is caught early then it is possible to have curative surgery but treatment is palliative and is aimed at relieving pain.

2. Peritoneal mesothelioma

This affects the lining of the abdominal cavity ( mesothelial lining) where tumours form. This form of mesothelioma is often caused by swallowing asbestos fibres as opposed to breathing them in. It is the second most common of mesothelioma illnesses and accounts for around 20% of mesothelioma cases. Symptoms of the illness include fatigue; sickness; abdominal pain; abdominal pain and swelling. Treatment can be difficult in this fast-moving form of cancer – but chemotherapy can be an option in some case.

3. Testicular mesothelioma

This is very rare and forms in the tunica vaginalis in the lining of the testes. The condition makes up around 1 % of all mesothelioma cases and it is often spotted when a patient is having surgery for something else. Symptoms include swelling of the scrotum or lumps on the testicles, both of which are painless. Part of the testicle may need to be surgically removed and sometimes radiation therapy is used to get rid of the cancer cells.

4. Pericardial mesothelioma

This is also very rare and accounts for 1% of cases. It develops in the lining of the heart and symptoms include an irregular heartbeat; difficulty breathing; night sweats and fatigue. Usually, palliative treatment is given; surgery can be risky given the proximity of the heart

People At Risk Of Asbestos-Related Illnesses

There are any number of people who could suffer from mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related illnesses; this includes, shipyard builders; teachers; nurses; welders; firefighters and laboratory technicians:

• Plumbers and pipefitters/laggers are of the most ‘at risk’ groups as some of the jobs they do involve repairing pipes and putting in new boilers, often meaning they have to cut through walls where there is asbestos or replace pipework that has been lagged with asbestos
• Electricians are often required to drill through asbestos insulation or to install other materials that contain the material, they also often work together with pipe laggers
• Car mechanics can also be exposed because asbestos was often used in brake pads and clutches
• Boilermakers work with laggers to install asbestos insulation which puts them at high risk too
• Joiners and builders saw and drill when they are working on partition walls or in other areas of a building that could have asbestos

Mesothelioma Compensation Claims Advice

Even if your employer has gone out of business, it may still be possible to make a claim. A qualified asbestos lawyer can advise you whether or not you qualify for the government’s compensation scheme. It is also possible to make a claim if you are only presently suffering from minor symptoms. If your condition is asbestos-related, then there is a chance that it could develop into something more serious.

What do you need to prove in your mesothelioma claim?

In order for a mesothelioma claim to be successful, medical facts will need to be proven by having a medical examination. From this a report can be produced and will show that you are suffering from the illness. It is also important to prove there is a link between your illness and your employer’s negligence.

In the majority of cases, there is a three-year time limit in which you can make a claim. For mesothelioma, the starting point is the date you were told you had the illness. In addition, if you have worked in more than one environment that could have exposed you to asbestos, it may still be possible to make a claim. Again this is providing you can demonstrate which employer was negligent.

Free Consultation: Contact Our Team

We partner with personal injury laeyrs who are highly experienced and who can assess your case in a free, initial consultation. They also offer a No Win No Fee option which means no upfront costs for you to worry about.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, call us at 0333 358 3034 or visit our  Contact Us Page and we can call you back at a time suitable for you.

About Our Legal Expert: This content is produced with oversight by Michael Jefferies, Managing Director who has over 30 years’ legal experience.

Written by Tanya Waterworth, Digital Content Writer

This article provides general legal information and should not be construed as legal or medical advice. In all instances you should always consult with a medical professional around life expectancy questions.