Diagnosed With Asbestosis? You Could Be Owed Thousands.
Asbestosis is a serious lung disease caused by prolonged inhalation of asbestos fibres at work. The fibres lodge in the lung tissue and cause progressive fibrosis (scarring) that reduces lung capacity and makes breathing increasingly difficult. It typically develops 15 to 40 years after the original asbestos exposure, meaning many people diagnosed today were exposed in Scottish shipyards, construction sites, power stations, factories and schools decades ago.
If your employer exposed you to asbestos without adequate protection, you have the right to claim compensation. Scottish Claims Helpline handles asbestosis claims across Scotland on a no win no fee basis — there is no financial risk to you.
How Much Could You Receive?
Asbestosis compensation depends on the severity of the condition and its impact on your daily life:
| Severity | Typical Award |
|---|
| Severe — significant respiratory disability | £82,290 - £125,010 |
| Moderate — breathlessness on exertion, reduced function | £34,680 - £82,290 |
Based on Judicial College Guidelines for general damages (pain, suffering and loss of amenity).
That’s not all. Most asbestosis claimants also receive substantial special damages for lost earnings, loss of pension, care and assistance costs (both professional and from family members), the cost of medical treatment and medication, travel to hospital appointments, and home adaptations where necessary. These can significantly increase the total settlement.
Who Can Claim?
Any worker diagnosed with asbestosis as a result of occupational asbestos exposure can claim, provided their employer was at fault in exposing them. This includes former shipyard workers, construction workers, plumbers, electricians, boilermakers, joiners, laggers, and many others who worked with or near asbestos-containing materials. Claims can be brought against former employers who have ceased trading, through their employers’ liability insurers.
Asbestosis Claims — Frequently Asked Questions
Asbestosis compensation under the Judicial College Guidelines ranges from £34,680 for moderate cases to £125,010 for severe asbestosis with significant respiratory disability. Scottish courts apply an adjustment of approximately 9% below England and Wales figures. Special damages for lost earnings, care costs and expenses are paid on top.
Asbestosis is a chronic, progressive lung disease caused by inhaling asbestos fibres at work. The fibres cause scarring (fibrosis) of the lung tissue, leading to breathlessness, persistent cough, and reduced lung function. It typically develops 15–40 years after the original asbestos exposure and is diagnosed by CT scan and lung function tests.
3 years from the date of diagnosis under the Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973. If you have only recently been diagnosed, even if the exposure was decades ago, you are likely still within time. Contact us as soon as possible after diagnosis.
Yes. Employers were required to hold employers’ liability insurance under the Employers’ Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969. Those policies can be traced through the ELTO database and claimed against even if the employer ceased trading decades ago. Our solicitors are experienced in tracing historic insurers.
Yes. Asbestosis is a prescribed industrial disease (D1) for IIDB purposes. You can claim IIDB from the DWP alongside a civil compensation claim against your former employer or their insurer. The two claims are entirely separate and one does not affect the other. Our solicitors can advise on both.
How Do I Start My Claim?
It takes 2 minutes. Fill in our short form and one of our specialist Scottish solicitors will call you back at a time that suits. They will listen to what happened, tell you straight away if you have a claim, and explain exactly how much you could receive — all completely free and with no obligation. If you decide to go ahead, everything is handled for you on a no win no fee basis from start to finish. You pay nothing unless you win.
About this page: Written by the Scottish Claims Helpline editorial team. Reviewed by a qualified Scottish solicitor specialising in asbestos disease litigation. Last reviewed February 2026. Scottish Claims Helpline is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (
FRN 830381).