If you have been diagnosed with Mesothelioma then you stand a very good chance of getting financial help with you illness. This can either be in the form of claiming Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit orclaiming through the War Pensions Scheme (if it was the war which is the factor which caused your Mesothelioma).

The best way to get help is by getting in touch which a specialist and reputable Mesothelioma Lawyer! However you can also call in at your local Citizens advice Bureau, or get their contact details from their website, you can also call the British Lung Foundation helpline on 08458 50 50 20.

Suing for damages

You may claim damages from an employer by suing them for negligence. You will need to show that:

• Your mesothelioma was most probably caused by exposure to asbestos at work
• Your employer at the time did not maintain the standards required by law (i.e. they were negligent).

This is a specialised area of the law and you should seek the advice of a specialist solicitor.

If you are a union member, they may be able to recommend an experienced solicitor. Otherwise, the Law Society has a list of specialist solicitors. You can call them on 0870 606 6575.

The cost of making a claim may be covered by your trade union or your professional body. If not, your solicitor may be prepared to take your case on a 'no win, no fee' basis (then you may have to pay a one-off insurance premium). Your solicitor might also be able to claim your costs from your employer. Your claim can still be made even if your employer is no longer in business. Your solicitor will make the claim against your employer's insurers. If you are awarded damages, the final amount is based on a combination of:

• compensation for pain and suffering (and interest on that)
• loss of earnings (and interest on that)
• care costs other expenses (like modifying your home)
• compensation for bereavement

List of jobs known to have exposed workers to Mesothelioma

The following is a list of occupations known to have put workers at risk of asbestos exposure. The list is not complete and final and you may have worked in a different occupation and experienced exposure to asbestos.

• Carpenters and Joiners
• Boiler, Pipe and Heating Workers
• Shipbuilding/Shipyard Workers
• Navy Seamen
• Dockworkers
• Laggers and Sprayers
• Mechanics
• Plumbers and Gasfitters
• Roofers
• Construction and Demolition Workers
• Painters and Decorators
• Electricians
• Railway Workers and Coach Construction
• Engineers
• Power Station Workers
• Laboratory and Research
• Asbestos Manufacture and Sales