If you’ve been exposed to asbestos at home and later developed health issues, you may be entitled to compensation through an asbestos exposure claim. In the UK, claims can cover conditions like mesothelioma, asbestosis and secondary exposure. With National Claims you’ll be connected to experienced solicitors who specialise in asbestos exposure claims to guide you, so you can claim confidently.
Worried About Asbestos at Home? Here’s How to Claim & What You Can Expect
If you’ve stumbled upon old insulation, broken ceiling tiles, or damaged floorboards at home—don’t panic. But do act. These could release deadly asbestos fibres into the air. And if you later develop health problems, you can claim compensation.
What Is Asbestos & Why It’s Dangerous
- Asbestos is a heat-resistant mineral fibre commonly used in homes until the late 1990s.
- Although banned in the UK since 1999, it’s still hiding in many older properties.
- When disturbed, it releases microscopic fibres that, once inhaled, can cause serious conditions like mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis—often years after exposure.
Can You Claim for Asbestos Exposure at Home?
Yes, absolutely — whether you worked with asbestos or lived in a property where it was disturbed. You can claim even if you were exposed via a family member’s clothing (so-called secondary exposure).
Types of asbestos exposure claims:
- Direct exposure: Working with or around asbestos at home.
- Secondary exposure: Breathing in fibres brought in on someone else’s clothing.
- Environmental exposure: Living in a property contaminated with asbestos.
Can I Claim for Asbestos Exposure UK?
Yes. The key is to show:
- You developed an asbestos-related disease.
- Your illness was caused by exposure at home or via another person.
- The exposure resulted from negligence or unsafe conditions.
Even if you don’t know exactly where the exposure occurred, specialist solicitors can investigate your occupational and residential history to identify responsible parties.
Making an Asbestos Exposure Claim
1. Get a Diagnosis & Medical Report
Speak to your GP if you have symptoms like persistent cough, breathlessness, chest pain, or fatigue. Once diagnosed, a medical specialist will link your condition to asbestos exposure.
2. Document Your Exposure
Collect any evidence you can:
- Photos of suspected asbestos materials
- Council/disrepair reports
- DIY records or contractor invoices
- Your or family member’s past job history
3. Seek Legal Support
Contact National Claims, who’ll connect you with solicitors specialising in asbestos exposure claims. They’ll:
- Investigate responsibility
- Liaise with insurers
- Handle paperwork and negotiations
- Offer a no-win, no-fee service so you’re not out of pocket.
4. File Within the Time Limit
In the UK, you generally have three years from diagnosis—or from when you first realised your illness was due to asbestos exposure—to file a claim.
5. Negotiate Your Settlement
Claims usually resolve outside court. Your solicitor will negotiate compensation to cover:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of earnings
- Care and travel costs
- Funeral expenses, where relevant.
💷 How Much Compensation Can You Claim?
Compensation amounts vary depending on your condition and circumstances:
- Mesothelioma: average £145,000+, but tailored to your case
- Asbestosis: depends on severity and loss of earnings (via NHS and private assessments).
- Diffuse mesothelioma payment scheme: around £21,000–£92,000 if you can’t trace a former employer or insurer.
- Secondary exposure claims: vary widely—one example involved a family winning compensation after a loved one washed a worker’s asbestos-covered clothing.
- The UK Government previously increased its one-off asbestos payment to £123,000 for those unable to trace liable insurers.
Influencing Factors:
- Your diagnosis and its severity
- Age and stage of illness
- Loss of income, care needs, and out-of-pocket expenses
- Evidence of negligence (e.g., faulty disrepair, third-party responsibility)
✅ Why Claiming Early Matters
- Three-year limit for claims.
- Evidence deteriorates over time—documents go missing, memories fade.
- Quick action helps you access medical care, financial support, and legal funds, easing stress and improving quality of life.
🏛 Government Schemes & Benefits
If a civil claim isn’t viable, you may still be eligible for support via government schemes:
- Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme (DMPS): if insurers or employers can’t be traced
- Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB): regular payments for those disabled by asbestos-related illness.
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for day‑to‑day care and mobility assistance.
- War Pensions or Armed Forces Compensation Scheme for veterans exposed during service.
🧠 People Also Ask
Q: Can I claim for asbestos exposure if I didn’t work with it directly?
A: Absolutely. If you suffered asbestos exposure from a partner’s work clothes or lived in a contaminated home, you can claim under secondary or environmental exposure rules.
Q: What conditions can you claim for asbestos exposure?
A: You can claim if diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis or pleural thickening—all linked to asbestos inhalation.
Q: Can I claim compensation in the UK for past exposure?
A: Yes—if you file within three years of diagnosis or awareness. Claims after that are risky, so act fast.
Q: How long does an asbestos exposure claim take?
A: Every case varies. Simple claims settle in a few months; more complex ones may take longer. Solicitors aim to expedite settlements for terminal conditions.
🔎 Real‑World Examples
- Kent carpenter’s family recently won a claim against Medway Council after he died from mesothelioma.
- A London resident, Peggy Jones, developed sarcomatoid mesothelioma after asbestos sheets were installed at home in the 1970s—her daughters later won compensation .
- Secondary exposure: in Wales, Joan Davies died of mesothelioma after washing her husband’s contaminated work clothes; her family successfully filed a claim.
🗝 Key Takeaways & What to Do Next
- If you’re worried about asbestos exposure, see your GP. Document everything.
- Get connected: National Claims will match you with asbestos experts for free.
- Time matters: contact National Claims as soon as possible to protect your legal rights.
- Know your worth: compensation can include damages, lost income, care costs—or one-off government payments.
- Act fast: with the three-year time limit in mind, early action is essential.
Consult with National Claims
National Claims specialises in asbestos exposure claims—connecting you with experienced solicitors who:
- Investigate your case at no initial cost
- Handle claims on a no-win, no-fee basis
- Know how to trace employers and insurers—even from decades ago
- Fight for maximum compensation, including care, travel, and loss claims
If you’re dealing with symptoms, worried about your disrepair‑ridden walls, or suspect someone close to you brought asbestos fibres home, don’t wait. Contact National Claims today. Let them help you get your life—and finances—back on track.
📝 Final Thoughts
Disturbing asbestos in your home can be terrifying—but knowing your rights can be empowering. You can claim for asbestos exposure, even if it happened untold years ago, and even if another family member brought it home. Just remember:
- Act swiftly—you generally have three years from diagnosis.
- Make a solid case with medical evidence and exposure details.
- Let National Claims match you with specialist solicitors.
Ultimately, you don’t have to face this alone. If you’re suffering, if you’re frightened, or if you’re wondering “can i claim for asbestos exposure?”, the answer is yes—and help is within reach.
🗞 People Also Ask
- Can I claim without working with asbestos? Yes—secondary or environmental exposure qualifies.
- Which conditions qualify? Mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural thickening.
- Time limits? Generally three years from diagnosis or awareness.
- Compensation amounts? Average £145,000+, DMPS £21,000–£92,000.
For trusted legal guidance and support, National Claims is here to help you claim for asbestos exposure—don’t wait.
*Customers pay up to 25% (incl. VAT) of the amount recovered towards solicitor costs and if you cancel outside your cooling off period, you may be charged a fee.
Contact us today to speak to one of our claims agents who will be able to help you get started on your claim.
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