Tradespeople are among the occupational groups at greatest risk of developing asbestos-related illnesses such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, pleural plaques and lung cancer.
Even today, the Health and Safety Executive estimates, tradespeople, on average, come into contact with asbestos more than 100 times a year.
If you have been diagnosed with an asbestos illness and have worked as a tradesperson, such as a painter in locations such as schools, hospitals and other public or commercial buildings, you may be able to make a claim for compensation.
For information and advice regarding asbestos claims for painters, call Thompsons Solicitors in Scotland today on 0800 0891 331 for friendly and knowledgeable assistance.
Painters and asbestos – a terrible legacy
Every week in the United Kingdom, around 20 tradespeople die from an asbestos-related disease, many of these are or were painters.
Whether it is as a result of dealing with damaged asbestos insulating board, sanding asbestos on walls and ceilings or working in close proximity to asbestos-containing floor tiles, boilers, guttering and soffits, the impact on Scotland's painters is as clear as it is terrifying.
And even today, with asbestos still present in around 1.5 million buildings, the danger lives on. According to a Health and Safety Executive survey, only 55% of painters and decorators report that they are confident in knowing how to deal with asbestos materials – this is significantly lower than the percentage of similar occupational groups, for example carpenters and joiners. The same survey reports that painters and decorators work an average of 2.29 days per week in buildings built before 1999's ban on the use of asbestos.
Even rudimentary maintenance such as drilling or sanding is enough to release asbestos fibres into the air and the consequences can be fatal; however, illnesses such as mesothelioma do not develop until many years after the initial exposure.
Thompsons Solicitors' painter and decorator asbestos claims
If you have an asbestos-related illness you may be able to claim compensation providing your diagnosis was in the past three years. It is also possible to claim if you are a close family member or dependent of someone who has passed away.
Thompsons Solicitors in Scotland can trace liability insurers in even the most intractable-seeming of cases. This is because we are a leading firm in the UK and have vast databases of information, including details of insurers, witnesses and company practices – all of which can be invaluable in assisting the progress of your claim.
An asbestos claim cannot turn back the clock, but it can at least achieve some justice, recognition and practical help in the fallout. Call 0800 089 1331 to speak with Thompsons Solicitors' asbestos claims for painters team today.
Photo @ Michael Coghlan via Flickr under Creative Commons
