Asbestos lung cancer can appear many years after the original exposure to asbestos. Since many trades used to use or work with asbestos before the serious dangers associated with asbestos were known, many people now find themselves with asbestos lung cancer and other related diseases or conditions: Mesothelioma, Pleural Thickening and Asbestosis are just a few. For more detailed information on these conditions, use the links at the bottom of the page

Smokers who develop asbestos lung cancer are often reluctant to make a compensation claim, but medical evidence indicates that, of those with a history of significant exposure to asbestos, smokers are much more likely than non-smokers to develop asbestos lung cancer. Asbestos is a significant contributing factor in the development of lung cancer and so smokers are entitled to make a claim if this is the case.

Corries has many years experience in making claims associated with asbestos lung cancer and we have several dedicated teams. For example we have a asbestos mesothelioma legal claim team who specialise in complex asbestos mesothelioma legal claims. Pleural Plaques

In October of 2007 the House of Lords decided that pleural plaques did not amount to an actionable injury.

The decision is the final step in an appeals process that started in 2005. This brings an end to compensation claims for pleural plaques that have been successfully resolved for claimants for more than 20 years.

Pleural plaques are areas of scarring on the membrane around the lungs. Their only known cause is significant asbestos exposure. Individuals with pleural plaques have a significant risk of developing more serious asbestos related conditions such as asbestosis, pleural thickening, lung cancer and mesothelioma. Individuals with pleural plaques are left unable to claim as a result of the House of Lords judgment. The decision also prevents cases already issued at Court from going any further.

Many pleural plaques sufferers develop anxiety as a result of the diagnosis - particularly those who have seen friends and colleagues succumb to serious asbestos related conditions in the past. The House of Lords have decided that even the combination of plaques and anxiety does not prove a basis for a claim for compensation.

Individuals receiving a new diagnosis of pleural plaques should still seek legal advice to protect their position and to ensure that valuable evidence is retained.