Let us help you claim compensation for pleural thickening
We know getting a diagnosis of pleural plaques or thickening can be scary, but we want to help you get the compensation you need for living with an incurable condition.
The majority of pleural thickening claims are personal injury claims as the condition is often caused by exposure to asbestos at work. As personal injury claims experts, you can rest assured that we'll do everything in our power to help you win your case.
When the lining of the lung (the pleura) thickens, it's called pleural thickening. Pleural thickening causes breathlessness and an inability to inflate the lungs fully, making breathing painful. There is no cure once the pleura is damaged, and a person's quality of life can be vastly reduced.
If you've been diagnosed with pleural thickening that you believe was a result of being exposed at work - regardless of how long ago - you may be entitled to make an asbestos pleural plaques compensation claim.
We can help you
Working with a panel of expert pleural thickening solicitors, National Accident Helpline can help you get the compensation you need to live with this incurable condition. The majority of our pleural thickening claims are taken on a no win no fee basis, so you won't pay anything if your case is unsuccessful, giving you complete peace of mind.
Find out whether you could make a pleural thickening claim and receive the compensation you need by getting in touch with our experts today. You can fill in our callback form to arrange a chat at a time that suits you or simply call us on . Your call will be completely free and confidential, with no pressure placed on you to make a claim.
Why choose National Accident Helpline?
What are pleural plaques?
What are pleural plaques?
Pleural plaques refer to the benign areas of thickened tissue in the lining of the lung. They can develop on the two layers of the pleura, which can cause severe discomfort or pain.
Pleural plaques are also called hyaline pleural plaques. This is because the growths are composed of hyaline tissue.
What causes pleural thickening?
What causes pleural thickening?
Pleural thickening is often caused by prolonged exposure to asbestos. However, it can also be caused by other conditions such as empyema, haemothorax, fibrinous pleuritis and pulmonary embolism.
Most pleural plaques claims are a result of inhaling asbestos fibres over time. The inhalation of asbestos dust fibres causes an immune response that can trigger inflammation in the lungs and eventual scarring (thickening) of the pleura.
It's important to note that while pleural thickening often causes pain when breathing, it doesn't always result in mesothelioma - a malignant tumour. The life expectancy following a mesothelioma diagnosis is approximately 12 months.
If a loved one was diagnosed with mesothelioma and has passed away within the last three years, you may be entitled to make a fatal injury claim.
Who is at risk of pleural thickening?
Who is at risk of pleural thickening?
The majority of people who develop pleural thickening are those who have been exposed to asbestos fibres for a long period. These include professions such as:
- Firefighters
- Auto mechanics
- Miners
- Chimney sweeps
- Construction workers
- Textile mill workers
Second-hand exposure is also common, particularly among spouses and children of those who worked with asbestos.
Am I eligible to make a pleural thickening claim?
Am I eligible to make a pleural thickening claim?
If you have been diagnosed with pleural thickening in the past three years due to exposure that wasn't your fault, you may be eligible to make a claim - regardless of when you were exposed to the asbestos.
If you have lost a loved one and a coroner rules the death was caused by an asbestos-related disease, the executor will have three years from the date of the sufferer's death to start a pleural plaque claim.
Bill Keeys received compensation after claiming for an accident at work
When I contacfted the National Accident Helpline I had hoped they could give me advice and point me in the right direction, and they did. They put me in touch with the lawyers and the team were super-efficient, holding nothing back in their investigation and subsequent case against this giant employer - it was at this point that the employer settled in my favour. Thank you National Accident Helpline.
No win no fee pleural thickening claims
Most of our pleural thickening claims are made on a no win no fee basis. This means you'll only pay for our services if your claim is successful. We know that dealing with pleural plaques can be distressing, so you'll know all our costs upfront and won't be hit with an unexpected bill that adds to your worries.
If you win your claim, your solicitor will receive a pre-agreed percentage of your pleural plaques compensation payout and the liable party may be required to contribute towards legal costs. This amount will include a success fee and the price of any insurance taken out to make your claim risk-free.
Rest assured that what you pay your pleural thickening solicitor will be completely transparent and pre-agreed.
Do I need no win no fee insurance?
Do I need no win no fee insurance?
We recommend all our clients seeking pleural thickening compensation take out After the Event (ATE) insurance. The policy is designed to give you complete peace of mind throughout the claims process and ensures that even if you lose, you won't have to pay any of the legal expenses.
We'll organise the insurance for you, so you don't have the extra hassle, and you won't incur any upfront costs. The premium is only paid if you win your pleural plaques claim.
How much pleural plaques compensation could I receive?
How much pleural plaques compensation could I receive?
Due to the varying degrees of severity of a diagnosis, it can be difficult to provide a set pleural plaques compensation amount. Compensation aims to provide you with the finances that you would have if you hadn't suffered from this diagnosis.
Factors such as your age and potential future problems as a result of pleural thickening will be taken into consideration, as well as your ability to earn and if you support any family members.
To get a clearer idea of pleural plaques compensation amounts you could receive, contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation. You can speak to our personal injury advisors on or fill in our callback form to arrange a chat at a time that suits you.
Our experts are waiting to hear from you whenever you're ready. They'll give you all the time you need to detail your story and be able to offer their expert and impartial advice, providing you with the information you need to move forward with a case if or when you want to.
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Is my claim likely to go to court?
Is my claim likely to go to court?
We know that going to court sounds like a scary prospect, but most personal injury claims are settled outside of court, even if a court process is started. However, if the other party contests your case and an agreement can't be reached, a judge may be called on to decide the case.
If you're pursuing a pleural thickening compensation claim following the death of a loved one, a court case is more likely following the verdict of a coroner.
But we want you to rest assured that should you go to court we will be with you every step of the way and will explain the whole process to you.
Frequently asked questions...
Quite simply, yes. If you're thinking of making a claim on behalf of a friend or loved one, then it's likely we can help you.
To find out more information please visit our claiming on behalf of someone else page.
In legal-speak, the amount you could be awarded in a successful personal injury claim is called the 'quantum of damages'. Not only does quantum (or 'general damages') cover the pain, severity and suffering of the injury itself (both physical and psychological) but also 'special damages'. These are any personal financial losses you may have experienced as a result of the incident.
Your personal injury lawyer will include things like: loss of earnings, loss of future income, time off work, the effect on your ability to work, the cost of repairing or replacing possessions damaged and any medical or care costs you've paid for already, as well as transport to and from treatment you've received. After your solicitor accepts the case, obtains all appropriate medical evidence and then begins negotiating with the other side (usually their insurance company), you'll start to get an idea of how much you may receive if your injury claim is successful.
The time it takes to reach a settlement in a successful personal injury claim can vary significantly. It depends on how complex your case is, the type, severity and circumstances of your injuries, plus the time it takes to gather all the necessary medical evidence.
An injury claim duration is also affected by things like whether or not you know the identity of the other side and if the other side admits liability - or challenges it in court. A clear-cut road traffic accident claim may be settled in just weeks whereas a complicated medical negligence case may take up to three years or more.
As a rule of thumb, an uninsured driver claim takes three or four months. Other road and work accident claims may take four to nine months, trips and slips six to nine months, industrial disease claims between one year to 18 months and clinical negligence one to three years plus.
How does National Accident Helpline's pleural thickening claim process work?
If we take on your pleural plaque claim, the process will be as simple as possible:
- We will set up an appointment with a pleural thickening solicitor who will be your main point of contact throughout the process. They will get to understand your case and gather the information and evidence they need to strengthen your claim.
- Your solicitor will then contact those responsible for your condition and await a response.
- If the other party accepts liability, compensation will be arranged - usually through their insurer. If they do not accept responsibility, your pleural thickening solicitor will enter negotiations on your behalf to settle the claim.
- If you win, your solicitor's fees will be deducted from your compensation at a pre-arranged and pre-agreed figure. If you lose, you pay nothing.
National Accident Helpline is here to help you get the compensation you need following a pleural thickening diagnosis. We'll be with you every step of the way. Find out how our panel of pleural thickening solicitors could help you by filling in the form below with a few basic details. We'll call you back at no charge at a time that suits you.