Asbestos & Mesothelioma Claims Solicitors

A diagnosis of mesothelioma, asbestosis or any other asbestos-related disease is devastating, both for you and for those who love you. At Ashtons Legal, our specialist asbestos and mesothelioma solicitors are here to help you secure the compensation and support you deserve, with genuine compassion and clear, practical guidance at every stage.

We have supported clients with asbestos and mesothelioma claims for over 20 years. Our team works on a no-win, no-fee basis (meaning you pay nothing unless your claim succeeds), and we handle every aspect of your case, from tracing former employers to accessing government benefit schemes. We take cases across the UK, with particular depth of knowledge and connection across East Anglia and beyond.

Recognised by Chambers UK and The Legal 500, our personal injury solicitors are known for the quality of their advice, their tenacity, and the care they bring to every case.

Contact our Asbestos and Mesothelioma Solicitors

If you or a family member has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness, contact us today.

Our team offers clear, compassionate advice across Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire and nationally, including home or hospital visits where needed.

Call us on 0330 191 7829, email enquiries@ashtonslegal.co.uk, or complete our online enquiry form.

Types of Asbestos Claims we Handle

We represent clients with the full range of asbestos-related diseases, including:

• Mesothelioma claims – Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer caused exclusively by asbestos, with a long latency period. Claims are often urgent and we act swiftly to gather evidence and secure interim payments where possible. Find out more about our mesothelioma compensation claims.
• Asbestosis claims – A chronic lung disease caused by prolonged exposure to asbestos dust. Progressive and life-altering, asbestosis entitles you to claim for health impact, loss of earnings and daily living costs. Read more about our asbestosis compensation claims.
• Asbestos-related lung cancer claims – Lung cancer caused or contributed to by asbestos exposure is compensable. We work with medical experts to establish the link between your diagnosis and exposure history. Learn more about asbestos lung cancer claims.
• Pleural thickening claims – Pleural thickening can cause significant breathlessness and disability. If caused by asbestos exposure at work, you may be entitled to compensation. See our page on pleural thickening compensation claims.
• Claims after death – Asbestos claims after death can be brought by dependants or the estate if a family member has died from mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease. We handle these cases with great sensitivity and work hard to achieve justice for bereaved families.

Our Asbestos and Mesothelioma Claims Service

We know that pursuing a legal claim can feel daunting, especially when you or a loved one is seriously ill. If you are unsure how to claim for asbestos compensation, our specialist team handles every stage of your case, so you can focus on what matters most.

Free Initial Advice

We begin with a free, no-obligation discussion to understand your situation, explain your options, and give you an honest view of your claim. There is no pressure and no commitment required.

Employment and Exposure Investigation

We carry out a thorough investigation of your employment history and the circumstances in which you were exposed to asbestos. We can trace former employers and their insurers, even where companies have closed, and work with occupational health experts to build the evidence your case requires.

Medical Evidence

We work with specialist doctors and independent medical experts to obtain the evidence needed to support your claim, including expert reports on diagnosis, prognosis, and the link between your condition and asbestos exposure.

Interim Payments

We pursue interim payments from the defendant’s insurers as quickly as possible so that you and your family have financial support without delay.

Benefits and Financial Support

In addition to your civil compensation claim, our team will review your full entitlement to government schemes and state benefits from the outset, including:

• Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (for those disabled by a disease contracted through work)
• Attendance Allowance (if you are of state pension age) or Personal Independence Payments (if you are of working age)
• New Style Employment Support Allowance
• A lump-sum payment under the Pneumoconiosis etc. (Workers’ Compensation) Act 1979
• A payment under the 2008 Diffuse Mesothelioma Scheme for those who cannot trace a liable employer or insurer
• A blue disabled parking badge

We ensure you receive every form of support available, not just your legal compensation.

No Win, No Fee

We handle all our asbestos and mesothelioma cases on a no-win, no-fee basis. No win no fee asbestos claims mean you pay nothing unless your case succeeds, and if it does, the defendant’s insurers typically meet the majority of legal costs. We will explain exactly how funding works before your case begins.

Rehabilitation and Client Support

At Ashtons Legal, we believe in supporting the whole person, not just the legal case. Our dedicated Client Support and Rehabilitation Service can connect you with specialist services including occupational therapy, welfare benefit advice, and care support.

We co-founded Anglia Asbestos, the East Anglia asbestos disease support group, which meets monthly in Norwich. We have also fundraised to support a dedicated asbestos clinical nurse specialist at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

Time Limits for Asbestos Claims

In England and Wales, you generally have three years from the date of your diagnosis, or from the date you first knew (or ought to have known) that your illness was linked to asbestos exposure, to bring a claim. This three-year period is known as the limitation period.

Where a claim is brought after death, the three years normally runs from the date of death. There are some exceptions and the rules can be complex, so it is important to seek advice as early as possible. Read more about the asbestos compensation time limit.

Why choose Ashtons Legal for your Asbestos Claim?

Our asbestos and mesothelioma solicitors are recognised by Chambers UK and The Legal 500 for the quality of their advice and the outcomes they achieve for clients. As specialist industrial disease solicitors, we are members of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) and are signatories to both the Serious Injury Guide and the Rehabilitation Code, which reflect our commitment to client-centred practice.

We are not a volume claims firm. We focus on serious, complex cases where our expertise makes a real difference. Our in-house team includes welfare benefit advisors and access to a Court of Protection department, meaning we can support you and your family across every aspect of your situation, from managing compensation to planning for the future.

Beyond our legal team, our wider firm offers access to specialists in wills and trusts, employment law, family law and property, so if your diagnosis raises wider concerns, we can help you address them under one roof. Our asbestos solicitors bring decades of combined experience and a genuine commitment to every client they represent.

We are based across East Anglia and in Leeds and are happy to visit you at home or in hospital if that is more convenient.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Asbestos-Related Diseases?

Asbestos-related diseases are conditions caused by inhaling asbestos fibres, typically many years or decades after the original exposure. The main conditions are mesothelioma (a cancer of the lung lining caused exclusively by asbestos), asbestosis (scarring of lung tissue), asbestos-related lung cancer, pleural thickening, and pleural plaques. Because these diseases have a long latency period – typically 12 to 50 years – many people are only now being diagnosed from exposure that occurred decades ago.

Who can Make an Asbestos or Mesothelioma Claim?

Anyone diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease as a result of occupational exposure, or exposure caused by another party’s negligence, may be able to claim. You do not need to know the precise details of your exposure before contacting us. Family members can also bring a claim if a loved one has died from an asbestos-related illness, either as dependants or through the deceased’s estate.

How Much Compensation can You Claim for an Asbestos-Related Disease?

Compensation depends on the specific disease, its severity, and the impact on your life and finances. Mesothelioma and other serious asbestos-related conditions typically attract substantial awards. Compensation can cover pain, suffering and loss of amenity, loss of earnings and future earnings, care and assistance costs, medical treatment and expenses, travel costs, and financial losses suffered by dependants. We will give you an honest assessment of the value of your claim as early as possible.

How Long do Asbestos Claims Take to Settle?

How long does an asbestos claim take to resolve? The timescale depends on the complexity of the case and the nature of your condition. Mesothelioma claims, which are often urgent, can sometimes be settled within months. More complex cases, particularly where multiple employers or insurers are involved, can take longer. We will give you a realistic timetable from the outset.

Can I Claim for Asbestos Exposure if The Company no Longer Exists?

Yes, in most cases. Many former employers have ceased trading, but their insurers remain liable for claims under policies taken out at the time of your employment. We have extensive experience tracing historical insurers and can pursue your claim even where the company itself has long since closed.

Can Family Members Claim Compensation After an Asbestos-Related Death?

Yes. If a loved one has died from an asbestos-related disease, their dependants or the estate can bring a claim. Compensation can be sought for the pain and suffering experienced before death, financial dependency, and funeral costs. We handle these claims with care and sensitivity.

What is The Time Limit for Making an Asbestos Claim?

The standard time limit is three years from the date of diagnosis or from when you first connected your illness to asbestos exposure. For fatal claims, the three years generally runs from the date of death. These rules can be complex and there are exceptions, so we recommend seeking legal advice as soon as possible.

Do I Need to Prove Where I Was Exposed to Asbestos?

You do not need to know the exact details before contacting us. We carry out detailed investigations into your employment and exposure history and work with occupational health experts to build the evidence needed for your claim. Many clients are surprised at how much we can establish on their behalf.

What is The Average Settlement for an Asbestos Claim?

There is no single average figure, as compensation depends on the specific disease, its severity, and the impact on your life and finances. Mesothelioma and other serious asbestos-related conditions typically attract substantial awards. We will give you an honest assessment of what your individual case may be worth as early as we can.

Contact our Asbestos and Mesothelioma Solicitors

If you or a family member has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Our team offers clear, compassionate advice across Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire and nationally, including home or hospital visits where needed.

Call us on 0330 191 7829, email enquiries@ashtonslegal.co.uk, or complete our online enquiry form.