For thousands of people across Greater Manchester, a working life spent in factories, exchanges, building sites and workshops came with a hidden risk they were never told about. Many worked alongside asbestos every day, with no warning and no protection. Decades later, that exposure can surface as a serious illness. We recently secured a settlement for a Manchester client who developed asbestosis after years of occupational asbestos exposure, and his story reflects a pattern we continue to see across the North West.

What is asbestosis, and how does it develop?

Asbestosis is a long-term lung condition caused by breathing in asbestos fibres over a prolonged period. The fibres scar the lung tissue, which gradually makes breathing harder and can cause a persistent cough, chest tightness and breathlessness. It is a progressive condition, meaning it can worsen over time, and symptoms often appear years, or even decades, after the exposure that caused them.

Asbestos remains the single greatest cause of work-related deaths in Great Britain. According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE, 2024), more than 5,000 people die each year from asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer and asbestosis. Asbestosis was recorded on 493 death certificates in 2022 alone.

A lifetime of work, a legacy of exposure

Our client began his career with a national telecommunications organisation at a time when awareness of the dangers of asbestos was limited and safety measures were inadequate. For more than 20 years, he came into daily contact with asbestos-containing materials, particularly in confined spaces such as telephone exchanges and cable ducts. It was not until the early 1980s, when he moved into a more supervisory role, that his exposure significantly reduced.

Like many workers of his generation across Greater Manchester, he was never warned of the risks and was never given adequate protective equipment. Many years later, he was diagnosed with asbestosis, a serious and progressive lung condition caused by inhaling asbestos fibres.

Which conditions can asbestos exposure cause?

Asbestos exposure can lead to several different conditions, some of which can take 20 to 50 years to develop. The main asbestos-related diseases are:

• Pleural thickening: scarring of the lining of the lungs that makes breathing difficult and can cause chest pain.
• Asbestosis: progressive scarring of the lung tissue itself, caused by the prolonged inhalation of asbestos fibres.
• Asbestos-related lung cancer: cancer linked to asbestos exposure, with the risk multiplied further for people who also smoked.
• Mesothelioma: an aggressive cancer of the lining of the lungs or abdomen, almost always caused by asbestos.

We have extensive experience representing individuals and families affected by all of these conditions, and we understand the significant impact a diagnosis has, not only on the person directly affected but on their families as well.

Can you still claim if the asbestos exposure happened decades ago?

Yes. Many people assume that because their exposure happened 30, 40 or even 50 years ago, it is too late to make a claim. In most cases it is not. The time limit for an asbestos claim generally runs for three years from the “date of knowledge”, which is the point at which you knew, or could reasonably have been expected to know, that your illness was linked to asbestos exposure at work. This is set out in the Limitation Act 1980. For most people, that date is when they receive their diagnosis, not when the exposure took place.

Even when an employer has changed hands, merged or stopped trading, we are often able to trace the company and the insurer who covered it at the time. Combining legal expertise with specialist historical research is how we build strong claims for exposure that happened many years ago.

How do you prove an asbestos claim?

Successful asbestos claims rely on detailed and thorough evidence. In this case, our team:

• Obtained witness evidence detailing the working conditions our client was exposed to
• Traced historic employment records going back several decades
• Instructed independent medical experts to confirm the diagnosis and its cause
• Investigated the employer’s working practices and what was known about asbestos risks at the time

Together, this evidence established both the exposure and the employer’s failure to protect its workforce, which is what an asbestos claim must prove.

What happens to an asbestos claim if the person passes away?

Sadly, because asbestos-related illnesses are so serious, it is not uncommon for someone to pass away before their claim concludes. If that happens, the claim does not end. It can continue through the person’s estate, usually pursued by the executors or administrators named in their will, under the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1934. We work closely with families to make sure the case progresses with as little stress as possible during an already difficult time.

Where a death is linked to asbestos exposure, a coroner’s inquest is often required. This is a formal investigation to determine the cause of death. We provide sensitive, expert guidance throughout, and will often provide the witness evidence we have gathered to the coroner to assist their investigation.

Where a claim continues after death, the estate and the family may be able to recover compensation for:

• Pain, suffering and loss of quality of life
• Lost earnings or pension
• Care and assistance needs
• Funeral expenses
• Financial dependency, for loved ones who relied on the person’s income, under the Fatal Accidents Act 1976 (where applicable)

How much compensation could an asbestosis claim be worth?

Every case is different, and the amount depends on the severity of the illness, its impact on daily life and the financial losses involved. As a guide, the Judicial College Guidelines, which the courts use to value injuries, place compensation for asbestosis broadly between around £15,000 and over £100,000, depending on the degree of breathing difficulty the condition causes. Our specialist solicitors can give you a realistic assessment once your medical evidence has been reviewed.

WE Solicitors has specialist, deep experience in asbestos disease claims, including recent settlements for clients exposed in telecommunications and heavy industry across the North of England. We act on a No Win, No Fee basis, so there is no financial risk to you in finding out whether you have a claim.

“This case is a stark reminder of the long-term consequences of asbestos exposure, particularly for workers across Manchester who were simply doing their jobs at a time when risks were not properly addressed. We are proud to support our clients and their families every step of the way, ensuring their stories are heard and that they receive the justice they deserve.”

Steve Evans, Senior Partner at WE Solicitors

Common questions about asbestos claims

How long do I have to make an asbestos claim?
Generally three years from your date of knowledge, which is usually the date of your diagnosis. Time limits work differently after a death, so it is always worth checking your position with a specialist.

What if the company I worked for no longer exists?
We can often trace dissolved or merged employers and the insurers who covered them at the time, so a claim may still be possible even decades later.

Do I have to go to court?
Most asbestos claims are settled through negotiation with the insurers and never reach a courtroom.

Will making a claim cost me anything?
We work on a No Win, No Fee basis, with a free initial consultation and no obligation.

Speak to our team

If you or a family member has been diagnosed with asbestosis or another asbestos-related condition, we are here to help. Speaking to us is free, confidential and carries no obligation. Call our team on 0800 294 3065 or fill in our online contact form and we will explain your options clearly, in plain English. You can also read more about how we handle asbestosis claims.

Sources: Health and Safety Executive, Asbestos-related disease statistics, Great Britain (2024) · Health and Safety Executive, Mesothelioma statistics for Great Britain (2024) · Judicial College Guidelines for the Assessment of General Damages in Personal Injury Cases (16th edition, 2022) · Limitation Act 1980 · Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1934 · Fatal Accidents Act 1976