Asbestos is responsible for more UK workplace deaths than any other single factor. In fact, asbestos deaths are so prevalent that they are causative of around one-percent of all cancers diagnosed in Scotland.

This is partly because Scotland was once an international centre for many of the industries in which asbestos use was widespread: construction, shipbuilding, carpentry, plumbing and lagging were once prevalent in places such as Glasgow, Aberdeen and various locations along the River Clyde.

However, it is not only people from these trades who suffered asbestos exposure throughout their careers. It is also true that people who worked in Scotland's schools, hospitals, prisons and other buildings may also have suffered asbestos exposure, particularly if they worked as:

• Cleaners
• Janitors
• Caretakers
• Maintenance staff

If you or someone close to you worked in any of the jobs listed above and have since received a diagnosis of an asbestos-related illness, Thompsons Solicitors Scotland may be able to help you.

For more information about your rights and how we can help you discover if you are eligible to make a claim asbestos compensation for cleaners, janitors or caretakers call 0800 0891331 today to speak with a member of our team.

Asbestos in Scottish buildings

Looking solely at education, statistics from a Freedom of Information request reveal that since 1980 at least 335 primary and secondary school teachers in Britain have died as a result of mesothelioma; 221 of these deaths have occurred since 2001. Furthermore, there have been at least 161 higher and further education teacher deaths during the same period.

In fact, once cleaners, janitors, caretakers and other ancillary staff are taken into account the true figures are likely to be much higher, although it is difficult to secure full statistics relating to these deaths. Furthermore, occupational mortality figures do not account for deaths of those who are over 75 years of age.

Between the 1950s and 1980s asbestos was included in the insulation, lagging and construction of nearly all hospitals, prisons, schools, nurseries and other public buildings in Scotland. This inevitably means that many teachers and pupils suffered exposure to asbestos that deteriorated during these periods. However, cleaners, janitors and caretakers – many of whom would have maintained, repaired and worked with asbestos containing materials (ACMs) – are perhaps the most at risk from developing asbestos-related illnesses.

Unfortunately, these workers largely received inadequate education as to the dangers of asbestos. They also received inadequate protection and, in many cases, may have inhaled or ingested asbestos particles.

Asbestos compensation for cleaners, janitors and caretakers

Thompsons Solicitors is a large and proven firm of personal injury solicitors in Scotland. Each week we secure our clients around £1 million in compensation, winning around 90% of the cases we take on.

Although we cannot cannot turn back the clock, we can help secure asbestos compensation for cleaners, janitors, caretakers and their families. Call 0800 0891331 to speak with one of our specialists today.