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Exposed to Asbestos? Essential Steps to Take for Safety and Legal Protection

Exposed to Asbestos? Essential Steps to Take for Safety and Legal Protection

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Once a popular building material, the serious health impacts of asbestos are still felt today. Although banned in the early 2000s, asbestos remains in many older structures, posing ongoing risks for those exposed.

At Gordon Legal, we understand the fear and challenges that come with an asbestos-related diagnosis. Our top priority is to help you secure the compensation you deserve, so you can focus on your health and spend time with loved ones.

If you or someone close to you has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, reach out to our skilled team of asbestos claim lawyers. We’re here to answer your questions, guide you through the process, and work tirelessly to achieve the best possible outcome for you and your family.

What should I do if I think I’ve been exposed to asbestos?

If you believe you’ve been exposed to asbestos, it’s normal to feel uncertain or even anxious. Taking the correct legal steps after asbestos exposure at the workplace can help protect your health and ensure your rights are preserved.

  • Get medical advice: Start by consulting a medical professional. Although symptoms may not appear immediately, a doctor can recommend tests to check for asbestos exposure, such as imaging tests of the lungs or a health assessment to monitor your respiratory health.
  • Document Everything: Record your exposure with Gordon Legal, including where it happened, dates, and any safety measures provided (or not provided). This documentation will be crucial if you need to make an asbestos injury claim later on.
  • Notify Your Employer: If the exposure took place at work, report it to your employer. Under occupational health and safety laws, your employer has a duty to provide asbestos safety measures. This can also help prevent future exposures in the workplace.

What are my rights if I’ve been exposed to asbestos at work?

If you’ve been exposed to asbestos at work, you have legal rights to ensure your health and safety. Under Australian workplace safety laws, employers must protect workers from hazardous substances, including asbestos.

  • Right to a Safe Workplace: Employers are legally required to manage asbestos safely, whether through removal, containment, or clear labeling. If safety protocols weren’t followed, you may have grounds to seek compensation.
  • Legal Steps Following Workplace Asbestos Exposure: When asbestos safety protocols fail, workers exposed to asbestos may be able to take legal action. This could mean filing a claim for compensation related to any asbestos-related illness or injury that arises from the exposure.
  • Access to Compensation: If you develop an illness related to asbestos, such as asbestosis or mesothelioma, you may be entitled to financial compensation. This could cover medical costs, lost wages, and related expenses.

At Gordon Legal, we understand the importance of your health and well-being. Our asbestos claim lawyers are here to provide asbestos legal advice and guide you through the asbestos claim process to ensure your rights are protected.

Can I file an asbestos claim on behalf of a deceased family member?

In some cases, in the deeply sad instance that your family member has already passed away from an asbestos-related illness it may be possible to file a claim on their behalf or as their dependent. Here are some things to consider:

Eligibility for Filing a Claim: Close family members, such as spouses, children, or dependents, may be eligible to file an asbestos claim for statutory benefits or damages. This may include compensation for medical expenses, funeral costs, a pension and lump sum compensation.

How to Begin the Asbestos Claim Process: Collect important documents related to your loved one’s asbestos exposure, including medical records, employment history, and any evidence of workplace conditions that may have led to exposure.

Compensation and Settlements: Depending on the circumstances, compensation may be available through an asbestos lawsuit settlement or other legal pathways. Each claim is unique, so it’s important to consult with the best lawyer for asbestos compensation cases who can provide clear guidance.

We understand that navigating an asbestos injury claim for a loved one is deeply personal. Our team at Gordon Legal is here to offer support every step of the way.

What is mesothelioma, and how is it related to asbestos exposure?

Mesothelioma is a serious, often fatal cancer that primarily affects the lining of the lungs. It is almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure.

When asbestos fibers are inhaled, they can become lodged in the lining of the lungs (or other organs), causing long-term irritation. This can lead to tumors developing over time, which is why mesothelioma often appears years or even decades after exposure, due to this regular health check-ups are crucial. A doctor may recommend specific imaging tests or lung function tests over time to monitor any signs of disease progression.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure, you may have the right to mesothelioma compensation. This includes covering treatment costs and supporting your family if the illness has impacted your ability to work.

Our team at Gordon Legal has extensive experience with mesothelioma lawsuits and can guide you through the process of seeking justice and support.

How can I file a claim for compensation if I’ve been exposed to asbestos?

If you’ve been exposed to asbestos and developed a related illness, filing a claim can help ease medical and other financial burdens.

Seek Legal Advice: Consult an asbestos lawyer experienced with complex asbestos claims. They can advise on eligibility and discuss options.

Gather Documentation: Collect records of exposure, medical diagnoses, and employment details to demonstrate the asbestos source.

File the Claim: Your lawyer will help file an asbestos claim, ensuring required documentation and advocating for you throughout.

Many asbestos cases resolve through out of court settlements, allowing faster access to compensation.
At Gordon Legal, our dedicated asbestos claim lawyers provide support and knowledge during this challenging time, fighting for the compensation you deserve.

Have you or a loved one been exposed to asbestos? Reach out to Gordon Legal today. We’ve got a highly skilled and understanding team of lawyers specialising in asbestos illness claims.

For more information please contact us via our website or call Gordon Legal at 03 9603 3000.

FAQ

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.

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.

You can claim compensation after you have developed an asbestos related disease. Asbestos related diseases include:

  • Asbestosis
  • Pleural Plaques
  • Lung Cancer
  • Mesothelioma

If you do not know where you were exposed, you may still be entitled to compensation. Speak to a friendly member of our team today to discuss your options.

We recognise there is a spectrum of diagnoses – some are life threatening and others limit one’s enjoyment of life. Gordon Legal is proud to assist everyone who has received a dust disease diagnosis.

Compensation varies depending on your circumstances. Providing your diagnosis has been confirmed by a doctor, you may be entitled to significant compensation.

You may be compensated for:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Medical expenses (past and future – including travel expenses to-and-from the appointments)
  • Loss of income (past and future)
  • Alterations to your residence, including your place in a high-care home

Contact a friendly member of our team today to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.

The length of your claim depends on your prognosis. Our team of expert lawyers have experience in expediting claims in circumstances of a terminal diagnosis. From the time you call us to when the matter is settled, we can secure compensation in 3-6 months.

In such cases, we realise the importance of settling the matter quickly to maximise the time you can spend with friends and family.

In other circumstances, asbestos litigation can take between 12-18 months.

If you have an asbestos related disease, contact us immediately to advance your claim. A friendly member of our team will advise you of next steps

We understand the whirlwind period that follows an asbestos related diagnosis.

The first step to making a claim is calling us. We understand this may be a daunting experience but seeking legal advice at the earliest possible stage is vital to an expedient resolution of your claim.

Once you speak with a friendly member of our team, you will be advised of next steps.

Compensation payments vary depending on your circumstances. Providing your diagnosis has been confirmed by a doctor, you may be entitled to a significant payment.

The payment may compensate you for:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Medical expenses (past and future – including travel expenses to-and-from the appointments)
  • Loss of income (past and future)
  • Alterations to your residence, including your place in a high-care home
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