We are the country’s leading industrial injury claims specialists. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an industrial disease, you may be owed compensation. Our expert asbestos lawyers have helped countless Australians make successful claims on a no win no fee basis.
If you’ve been exposed our asbestos lawyers can help
If you or a loved one is suffering from mesothelioma, asbestosis, pleural plaques or any other type of dust disease resulting from asbestos exposure we can help. Every day, Millner and Knight’s national panel of specialist asbestos lawyers help people start their journey towards compensation and we can also help you. To get the ball rolling;
Call our national asbestos helpline
Our national asbestos helpline is free to call and we’re open 7 days a week. When you call us, you will be greeted by one of our friendly customer service consultants who will ask you a few simple questions to identify which one of our lawyers is best suited to offer you legal advice. All calls are taken in a strictly confidential environment and we won’t pressure you into talking about anything you’re not comfortable with.
At Millner and Knight, we will never ask or pressure you into making a claim
Speak to an asbestos lawyer
A lawyer who specialises in winning cases like yours will provide you receive tailored advice regarding your situation and be able to let you know in minutes whether or not you have a case.
Decide whether making a claim feels right
At the end of our phone call, it is left for you to decide whether making a claim feels right for you. If you decide that it does, we can provide you with first-class legal representation anywhere in Australia.
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a type of silicate mineral, grouped together as fibres. Asbestos was used in ancient times to construct utensils. In Australia, construction companies used asbestos in buildings as a type of insulation. Asbestos was banned by the government in 2003. There are six types of asbestos:
Chrysotile:
Chrysotile is the most common type of asbestos. Chrysotile accounts for about 90 per cent of commercially-used asbestos.
Amosite:
Amosite asbestos contains iron and magnesium and was most commonly used in insulation products.
Crocidolite:
Crocidolite is considered to be the most dangerous type of asbestos because of its physical properties.
Tremolite:
Tremolite was never mined or used commercially on its own, but it can be found contaminating other minerals such as chrysotile, vermiculite and talc.
Anthophyllite:
Like tremolite asbestos, anthophyllite minerals wasn’t mined for commercial use but found its way into products made with vermiculite and talc.
Actinolite:
Actinolite asbestos is often found as a contaminant within other commercial asbestos products. It is found in paints, sealants, children’s toys, and more.
All the six types of asbestos listed above are hazardous to human health. Prolonged inhalation of the small fibres inflames the lungs, leading to asbestosis or mesothelioma. These diseases can often be debilitating, even fatal. According to Safe Work, Australia asbestos was once used in more than 3,000 different products including fibro, flue pipes, drains, roofs and gutters. Even products such as brakes, clutches and gaskets contained asbestos.
If you or a loved one has worked with any of the products listed above and something feels wrong, please call 1800 106 107.
The effect of asbestos on the human body
Asbestosis is a chronic inflammatory and scarring disease caused by breathing in asbestos fibres over time. When asbestos is disturbed or deteriorating, it happens to release small particles and fibres into the air. Working with asbestos and inhaling loose particles scars the lungs can cause serious long-term injuries that can lead to death. Inhaled asbestos could also cause your immune system to work against these foreign particles. However, your immune system is not effective against asbestos fibres and increases inflammation. Increased inflammation (C-reactive protein) is a marker for heightened likelihood of cancer formation. Instead of breaking down the asbestos particles, your immune system causes lumps or masses, not unlike a tumour or cancer, which could lead to chest problems and shortness of breath (dyspnea.)
Unfortunately, if you develop asbestosis you are also more prone to develop lung cancer and mesothelioma. If you have lost someone you love due to an asbestos-related disease, we might be able to help you claim compensation on their behalf.
Symptoms of an asbestos-related illness
If you’re suffering from asbestosis, we know that your symptoms might have forced some changes to your living habits. If you are experiencing some of the following symptoms we’ve listed below, and haven’t yet seen a medical professional, we recommend you contact one immediately. If your doctor has diagnosed you with asbestosis, and you believe the cause to be because of external negligence, such as your landlord or employer, we can help you claim compensation.
If you’re suffering from asbestosis, your symptoms may include:
- Shortness of breath (dyspnea) – that progressively gets worse over time
- Tightness in your chest – or chest pains
- Mesothelioma
- A persistent cough – or wheezing
- Extreme fatigue
Asbestosis symptoms are similar to lung cancer and mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer caused by inhaling asbestos. However, mesothelioma isn’t the same as asbestosis.
Mesothelioma can be caused by any quantity of asbestos exposure.
Work-related asbestos claims
If you’re suffering from asbestosis, and it’s associated with your work, your asbestosis is classified as “occupational lung disease.” Such diseases will entitle you to claim compensation. If you are employed in the mining sector, engineering, or construction, you may be in frequent contact with asbestos as part of your daily work routine.
If you have asbestosis due to your employment, even if it’s known as an “occupational hazard,” this may reveal negligence by your employer. You may need to prove your employer is at fault for your illness, perhaps because they have failed to provide the correct training, personal protective equipment or other safeguards, then you should be able to claim compensation for your condition. If you are still under employment by the business responsible for your safety during your time of asbestos exposure, rest assured that you are legally protected from dismissal or recrimination.
Even if you were exposed to asbestos years ago, we may still be able to assist. Visit our work accident claims page to learn more about claiming compensation against an employer or ask us about the statute of limitations regarding asbestos claims by calling 1800 106 107.
Contact us today and find out if you can claim asbestosis compensation.
We know that living with asbestosis is disruptive and uncomfortable. It wasn’t your choice to develop and live with this chronic illness and its deleterious effects on you and those around you.
If we can help, you could be working to your own specialist solicitor in a matter of hours regarding your compensation.
How much compensation can I get?
There is no one size fits all solution we can use when it comes to calculating your compensation.
The amount of compensation owed to plaintiffs depends on the severity of their injuries and the State in which they suffered them.
Some of the main things a solicitor will consider when negotiating your compensation will include.
- Any time off work and lost earnings
- Any future lost earnings
- Any changes in your ability to work
- Care or support, even if given to you for free by family or friends
- Any adaptations you might need to your home or motor vehicle
- Travel and accommodation expenses
At this stage it is impossible to give you an accurate estimation of what you could receive however, you can make your own assessment online, without having to speak to a lawyer using our compensation calculator.
What to do next
If you have been afflicted by asbestos inhalation, mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related diseases we can help you make a successful asbestos negligence claim.
If you want to speak someone about making an asbestosis or asbestos exposure claim, call us for free no-obligation chat with one of our team today.
