Asbestos related lung cancer

Many people who suffer from lung cancer assume that their condition has been caused or contributed to by smoking.

However, we now know that heavy asbestos exposure can greatly increase the risk of developing asbestos related lung cancer in both smokers and non smokers. When asbestos exposure and smoking is combined the effect is multiplicative, with some studies showing that the risk of lung cancer is increased five times by asbestos exposure, ten times by smoking, but more than fifty times if smoking and asbestos exposure are combined.

If you think you may have a case for compensation contact us and seek specialist advice from one of our personal injury lawyers. You can either fill out our online enquiry form, request a call back or call us direct on 0800 915 4650.

Our experienced asbestos lawyers have represented many clients who are suffering from lung cancer where their previous exposure to asbestos has been a significant factor in causing their condition to develop. Historically, such cases could only be settled on the basis that the client has also suffered from asbestosis, which clearly indicates a previous heavy exposure to asbestos.

However, in much more recent and cutting edge development, our lawyers have been acting for clients who are suffering from lung cancer but who do not display the symptoms of asbestosis. We have been able to successfully establish that the previous exposure to asbestos dust in these particular cases has been abundant and is the main factor for the development of lung cancer, even where there has been a previous history of smoking.

Colin had worked for many years at the dockyard in Plymouth. Beginning his apprenticeship as an engineer he frequently came into contact with asbestos in the course of his duties. Repairing machines which had been de-lagged (an asbestos insulation), exposing asbestos. He then worked as a fitter and turner and came into contact with further asbestos dust.

In 2005 he began to become breathlessness and investigations revealed that he was suffering from lung cancer but Colin was not suffering from asbestosis. Many law firms would not have pursued his case. The experienced lawyers made further investigations and found that the lung cancer could still be attributed largely to the asbestos exposure. The team secured Colin £120,000 in compensation.

It is likely that many sufferers from lung cancer, who have also been previously exposed to asbestos, do not realise that their condition could be linked to their previous asbestos exposure. It is important that such sufferers should seek advice from a specialist firm of solicitors especially if there is a previous known history of asbestos exposure.