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Asbestos Compensation Lawyers

Help when you need it most

We know that if you or a loved one is diagnosed with an asbestos related disease; such as mesothelioma or asbestosis, you will have a lot on your mind. The prospect of embarking on a legal case is probably very daunting. Our job is to take the stress out of it for you.

We can arrange for you to meet with a lawyer at home or at hospital – wherever you are most comfortable.

Here at Gordon Legal, our lawyers have decades of experience guiding our clients and their families through this challenging time by leading with compassion, understanding and the expertise needed to get results.

Choosing an experienced asbestos lawyer is critical. These claims have time limits and requirements that your lawyer needs to know and act on to protect your case.

We can help you make your claim for compensation on a No-Win No-Fee basis.

With combined decades of extensive experience working in asbestos litigation, our legal team are well-equipped to ensure you achieve the justice you deserve. We can investigate your claim, gather all the information, and handle all the legal side of the process. You can be as involved as you want to be – we’ll keep you in the loop when you need to be, and leave the jargon out of your way so you can focus on what matters most to you.

Chat to one of our friendly staff today to find out more.

Asbestos Lawyers

How can we can help you?

When faced with an asbestos disease diagnosis, your life can get turned upside down. Understandably, legal proceedings may be the last thing you wish to deal with.

Here at Gordon Legal, we believe in making this process as easy as it can possibly be. Achieving financial compensation is something meaningful you can do to achieve a sense of justice for yourself and your family in this incredibly difficult time.

It is really important that you lodge a claim as quickly as possible – strict time limitations apply to this area of the law.

Asbestos law is highly specialised. Our expert lawyers can help you navigate the system; take care of your case from start to finish, explain to you the steps that are involved and fight to achieve compensation as quickly as possible

Call us on 1800 21 22 23 and talk to a lawyer today.

No Win No Fee for Asbestos Claims

Our asbestos lawyers offer legal services in this area on a No-Win No-Fee basis.

This means that we will meet with you, investigate your case and provide you advice without any cost or obligation. It also means that if we offer to act for you, and you take us up on this offer, you will not be responsible for any up-front legal fees or disbursements until the end of the claim.

Your lawyer will talk you through the No-Win No Fee costs structure when you meet.

Victoria’s most experienced Asbestos team

Peter Gordon’s accomplishments in asbestos-related compensation claims have made both headlines and history. At Gordon Legal, we’re proud to have one of the pioneers behind the no-win no-fee option for dust diseases litigation on our team.

In 1985 he achieved the first successful mesothelioma damages verdict in Australia. Watch the video where Peter talks about his landmark win.

Since that time, in over 2000 successful claims, Peter’s tireless work has reshaped the legal landscape around asbestos claims. He has achieved several firsts in the fight for justice for victims of asbestos diseases, and continues to advocate for speedy justice for afflicted clients.

He remains as passionate now as he was then about the rights of asbestos disease sufferers.

Victoria Keays is an accredited specialist in personal injury law with a particular interest in asbestos litigation.

Victoria has over 10 years’ experience in representing those suffering from all forms of asbestos diseases; including mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis and asbestos related pleural disease. Victoria is also passionate about achieving compensation for those afflicted by other occupational diseases, such as silicosis and occupational lung cancer. Victoria has represented clients in a number of jurisdictions around Australia and has been recognised by Doyle’s Guide as a leading lawyer in the area of Dust Diseases.

Asbestos Experts

Peter Gordon

Senior Partner Read more

Victoria Keays

Partner Read more

Tess Dickie

Principal Lawyer Read more

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Asbestos

Asbestos is a term used for a group of naturally occurring minerals, mined in Australia and around the world, perhaps most notoriously at Wittenoom in Western Australia.
Once mined, asbestos was mixed with other materials and turned into building and insulation products and used widely throughout Australia. Asbestos was very popular in Australia, which sadly means that we have one of the highest rates of asbestos related disease in the world.

Asbestos was used in a variety of common products including:

  • Insulation (lagging) on pipes and beams
  • A/C sheeting
  • Flues and pipes
  • Linings for brakes and clutches
  • Millboard and products for switchboard backingGaskets
  • Some forms of flooring

Asbestos was used in building products in Australia until the 1980s, and not completely banned until 2003.

When asbestos containing products are cut, drilled, or handled in any way that causes dust, it is extremely dangerous. Asbestos fibres are inhaled and can lodge in the lung, causing a range of asbestos related conditions later in life.

Asbestos causes a number of conditions. The most common ones are:

Pleural plaques – Pleural plaques are benign areas of scar tissue on the lining of the lung. They are markers of past asbestos exposure.  Pleural plaques generally do not cause symptoms, and therefore; in most cases, are not compensable. However, in extreme cases when plaques cause pain and/or disability, a compensation claim may be made.

Asbestos related pleural disease (ARPD) – ARPD is a broad term used for abnormalities which occur on the lining of the lung, called the pleura. When these abnormalities cause shortness of breath or pain, compensation can be claimed.

Asbestosis – Asbestosis is a scarring (fibrosis) of the lung which can occur following heavy exposure to asbestos. Asbestosis often causes symptoms such as: increasing shortness of breath, cough, lung infections. These symptoms vary in severity from person to person.

Lung cancer – Lung cancer is a general term for a malignant tumour of the lung. Lung cancer has multiple causes, the most common of these being cigarette smoking. However, heavy exposures to asbestos can also cause lung cancer. People who have sustained exposure to asbestos as well as cigarette smoke are at a significantly increased risk of developing lung cancer.

Mesothelioma – Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer of the lining of the lung (pleura) or abdomen (peritoneum). The only known cause of mesothelioma is asbestos. Sadly, mesothelioma is often associated with a short prognosis.

We understand that if you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you are searching for a lawyer who understands you are not just a statistic.

An experienced mesothelioma lawyer understands the medical context, the personal impact of course all of the legal ramifications of a diagnosis.

Asbestos claims can be tricky, so it is essential that you get the right advice from experts. Our team have handled thousands of asbestos cases in their careers.

We assist many clients who are unsure if their asbestos claim is valid for a variety of reasons.

Perhaps you don’t know when you were exposed, or consider your exposure to be too trivial, too brief or too long ago. Maybe you don’t work for the employer or company where you were exposed anymore, or have worked in numerous places where your exposure to asbestos might have occurred.

Whatever your circumstances, our lawyers can assist you investigate your claim.

It is important to remember that most people who are exposed to asbestos do not develop an asbestos-related disease, but it is understandable to be concerned.

If you have been exposed to asbestos, you should make your treating doctor aware of your exposure, and have regular check-ups.

It’s also a good idea to keep a record of your asbestos exposure. If you do develop an asbestos related condition in the future and decide to make a claim for compensation, it is useful to have some details of your past exposure.

You can register your exposure with Gordon Legal here. Registering is cost and obligation free and an easy way to know your exposure has been recorded.

If you are diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, it is important to seek legal advice and to do it quickly. Sadly, some asbestos diseases are associated with a short prognosis.

In a lot of cases, pain and suffering damages are the largest component of a compensation claim. Provided your case is issued within your lifetime, your entitlement to pain and suffering damages is protected for the benefit of those left behind.

To protect your case, your lawyer needs to:

  • Talk to you about your exposure history
  • Figure out who the right defendants are in your case
  • Issue proceedings to ensure your case is protected.

The sooner you get advice, the better.

In addition to the above, different states have different time limits in which to bring claims. This is a very specialised area of the law. It is critical you obtain advice from a lawyer with extensive experience in the area.

In most cases, yes.

If your employer is deregistered, but there is evidence that they held workers’ compensation insurance at the time you worked for them, your lawyer will be able to make an application to the court to proceed against your former employer.

It will also be important for your lawyer to consider whether other parties are at fault in causing your injury, such as manufacturers of asbestos products or occupiers of sites that you worked at.

In most cases, yes.

An experienced asbestos lawyer will hear your story, and ask you questions about the products you used. Then, based on experience and knowledge, they will give you advice about a claim against an asbestos manufacturer, even if you are not sure whose products you used.

Different states and different countries (called jurisdictions) have differing compensation schemes and entitlements. If you have been exposed in multiple places, you may have rights in a number of jurisdictions. It essential to get advice about how to best pursue your compensation entitlements. An experienced asbestos lawyer will listen to your story, weigh up your options and provide you with advice about what will be most advantageous for you.

This depends on what your doctors say about your condition. Some claims can be completed in a matter of weeks, when there is medical evidence to say this is necessary.

At Gordon Legal, we understand that you want the compensation process to be completed quickly and efficiently. Our experts will talk to you about what to expect in your individual circumstances.

Yes.

If you are facing a life-threatening illness (or even if you aren’t) it is important to make sure you have a valid will and power of attorney documents in place that reflect your wishes.

You may also be entitled to access a personal insurance policy or a Total Permanent Disability policy, which is often attached to your superannuation fund.

You may also have other legal matters. When we meet with you, we will talk to you about your legal concerns, come up with a plan to make sure you have access to the best specialist lawyers for your legal needs.

If you have been exposed to asbestos, you should notify your GP, and continue to get regular medical check-ups. However, unless you develop an asbestos related disease, you will not be able to pursue a claim.

If you have been exposed to asbestos, as well as seeking regular medical examination, it is good practise to note down all the information relating to your exposure, so that you have a record of the incident. This way, if you do develop an illness relating to your exposure in the future, you will have the details you need to assist with a claim for compensation.

The most common way to prove asbestos exposure is a diagnosis from a medical practitioner of a disease which has been caused by exposure to asbestos, such as mesothelioma.

Many people are exposed to asbestos in the course of their employment. An asbestos lawyer will be able to look into your work history to establish at which workplace your asbestos exposure likely occurred. Your lawyer will also be able to look into whether your former employer has had other claims made against them in the past, as well as other information about their use of asbestos.

If you reported your exposure to a medical practitioner, this can also be used to assist in proving your exposure. Additionally, records you made at the time of your exposure, if they exist, can be of assistance.

Who holds liability for your asbestos exposure can be different depending on the circumstances of your situation. There can also be more than one party liable for your exposure. An experienced asbestos lawyer can examine the specifics of your situation to advise on who could be liable for your asbestos exposure.

Commonly, those liable can be an employer, an asbestos manufacturer, or occupiers of work sites where the exposure occurred. Your lawyer will discuss this with you in more detail, based on the circumstances of your exposure.

Asbestos compensation differs depending on your individual circumstances.

If your exposure occurred at work, you may be entitled to compensation such as weekly payments under WorkCover, medical expenses, lump sum compensation for serious injuries, compensation for your dependants, and compensation at common law.

If your exposure occurred in public, and you have a claim under Public Liability, you may be entitled to compensation for pain and suffering, medical expenses, and economic loss.

An asbestos lawyer will discuss this with you in more detail, and explain how it applies to your specific circumstances.

The amount of compensation you receive will depend on the facts of your situation. Once your asbestos lawyer has a greater understanding of your circumstances, they will be able to give you a more accurate estimate of what you may receive in compensation.

Typically, compensation will cover pain and suffering, past and future medical expenses, past and future loss of earnings, and shortened life expectancy

If you have an asbestos related disease such as mesothelioma or asbestosis, you should contact an asbestos lawyer immediately after your diagnosis.

If your exposure occurred at work, you may be able to make a claim even if your employer has gone out of business, you are not sure at which workplace you were exposed, or you were an independent contractor.

You may be able to make a claim even if the exposure was not work related, occurred while you were doing your own home renovations, or if you are not sure where the exposure occurred.

If you were exposed second-hand (for example by washing the clothes of someone who had worked with asbestos), you should still contact an asbestos lawyer, as you may be able to make a claim.

A mesothelioma lawyer assists individuals who have mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may be able to make a claim for compensation.

Those dealing with mesothelioma are already facing a lot of stress after their diagnosis. Therefore, the administrative burden of dealing with legal action can feel intimidating, and too difficult to deal with. A mesothelioma lawyer can assist you in the process of making a claim for compensation, explaining the process as they go and ensuring you achieve a just outcome.

Asbestos Law, which a mesothelioma lawyer practices, is a highly specialised area of the law. An expert mesothelioma lawyer will help their client navigate these complexities, by fighting to achieve compensation as quickly as possible, whilst also keeping the client informed every step of the way.

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you should consult with a mesothelioma lawyer.

A mesothelioma lawyer is an expert in law relating to asbestos-diseases, which means that they are equipped to help individuals who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, it is important that you receive legal advice as soon as possible.

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, a mesothelioma lawyer will be able to help you by getting background on your exposure, determining the appropriate defendants, and issuing proceedings to ensure that your case will be able to proceed.

With mesothelioma, speed is of the essence, so you should contact a mesothelioma lawyer as soon as possible.

Making claims for asbestos related diseases such as mesothelioma is a highly specialised area of the law. It can be difficult to navigate, involving expert judgment in relation to how to lodge claims in different states, choosing the right defendants, and issuing proceedings to ensure that your case is protected. Therefore, it is important to seek legal advice to assist you in making a claim for compensation for mesothelioma.

Making claims for mesothelioma can be difficult because it is such a specialist area of law. So, it is important you choose a lawyer who has experience in making claims for asbestos related diseases. An experienced lawyer will be able to achieve the best outcome for your claim, as they will be versed in the different processes necessary to secure the best possible outcome, with just compensation.

When choosing a mesothelioma lawyer, you should also choose someone who is able to communicate the process to you in a clear way that you are able to understand. Engaging a lawyer who is able to guide you, can help to make the legal process less intimidating.

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How to get started

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We will be in touch within 1 business day if you email. Or you can call 1800 21 22 23, 9am-5pm, Monday – Friday

2

Meet Us

We can assist you anywhere in Victoria. We can travel to you, or we can talk via Zoom or over the phone.

3

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We listen until we understand, and quickly provide the best advice so you can make a well-informed decision.

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Melbourne

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Melbourne VIC 3000

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544/546 High St
Northcote VIC 3070

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Melbourne VIC 3000

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Dandenong VIC 3175

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Geelong VIC 3220

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Warrnambool VIC 3280

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