Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral and until the 1970s was extensively used for many different purposes. Asbestos was often mixed with other materials as well as being used on its own. It has thermal insulation qualities and heat retardant properties and this encouraged its widespread use during most of the 20th century.
It was made into paper, cloth, tape, felt, yarn, millboards, cement, flat sheets and wallboards. Consequently, materials and components containing asbestos were used throughout industry and also at home.
There are many workers across the globe who are currently suffering with serious illnesses simply for doing the job they were paid to do. Hindsight being the wonderful thing it is we now know that working with or being exposed to asbestos can be extremely dangerous.
After imposing an almost universal ban on the substance in the early 1980's, the UK is now in the early stages of the litigation process. Because related diseases such as asbestosis can incubate for long periods (decades in fact) many potential sufferers have yet to encounter the full force of the symptoms and many more may not realise they have the right to claim compensation for their illness.
Any workers that have been exposed to asbestos during the course of the last 30 years may be able to claim compensation and should seek advice from solicitors who specialise in such cases.
The UK Government is about to introduce legislation which will allow non-workers to claim compensation where it is known or proven that they have been exposed to asbestos fibres / dust. This will mean that many housewives, members of the public and people who were under 18 at the time of exposure may now have a right to compensation.