With nearly 60 years of experience acting on behalf of victims of asbestos, we know all too well how shocking and distressing the diagnosis of an asbestos related disease can be for both you and your family.

With that being said, the partner who heads our asbestos department, Martin Hanna, answers some of your most frequently asked questions regarding asbestos compensation claims.

How long do I have to make a compensation claim?

As a general rule, you have three years from the date of diagnosis to make an asbestos compensation claim.

The company I worked for has been dissolved. Can I still make a claim?

Since symptoms of asbestos related diseases can take decades to develop, in some cases the company responsible for asbestos exposure will have stopped trading. Despite this, you can still make a claim because at the time you were exposed to asbestos, the company would have had employers' liability insurers and it is those insurers who will be responsible for the compensation.

Is it possible to claim on behalf of a deceased family member?

Yes, it is possible to make an asbestos compensation claim on behalf of a deceased family member. Do note that similar to what I have advised above, the claim must be brought within three years of the date of death or within three years of the cause of death being known.

What happens if I start an asbestos claim and die before it is resolved?

Unfortunately, asbestos related diseases can be extremely aggressive and may result in a shorter life expectancy. If you were to die during the course of your asbestos claim however, the claim survives to your Estate and there are options that we can discuss with your next of kin if at all needed.

How do I start my asbestos claim?

If you are one of the millions of people currently suffering with an asbestos related illness and you have any queries about making a claim please contact 028 9024 3901 or email atraynor@fhanna.co.uk or rcolgan@fhanna.co.uk. From here, we will send you a client questionnaire that will ask you to identify the date of diagnosis, your work history and any knowledge that you have about the nature of asbestos that you were exposed to, which will allow us to start investigating your claim.