A Practical Guide to Asbestos Claims

This book is for the busy and new practitioner who is building their experience and expertise in asbestos claims. It is not written from the perspective of one side or the other. It is intended to neutrally state the position of the law and procedure in relation to dealing with claims of asbestos-related injury and to give some honest, frank and practical guide in doing so. Invariably, asbestos litigation is complex and time-consuming, and as such it is hoped that this practical guide will be a readily available initial source of reference to assist the practitioner who needs to refresh themselves on a certain topic, or to assist the practitioner in providing a core grounding of the key issues likely to be encountered in their caseload.

It has been our privilege to practice in this area of law and it is an even bigger privilege for us to share those experiences and points of understanding with those who read this book. We sincerely hope it provides the type of assistance, and to some degree, re-assurance, that we all need from time to time in our work in this area of litigation.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Jonathan Owen was called to the Bar by Inner Temple in 2004, having completed his undergraduate degree at Magdalen College, Oxford, and the Bar Vocational Course at Nottingham Law School. He is a tenant at Ropewalk Chambers, in Nottingham, where he has practised since completion of pupillage. He has a broad civil practice with a particular focus on personal injury and industrial disease work.

Gareth McAloon was called to the Bar by Lincoln’s Inn in 2010. He is a tenant at Ropewalk Chambers, in Nottingham. Gareth specialises in all aspects of personal injury work, predominantly on the Multi-Track. He is a specialist practitioner in all aspects of industrial disease claims including; asbestos claims, NIHL claims, HAVS claims and repetitive strain injuries. In addition, Gareth is instructed in inquests and clinical negligence claims. The high value nature and complexity of the cases he deals with means that he has regular contact with medical and engineering experts both in Court and in his case preparation.

CONTENTS

1. Introduction
2. What is Asbestos?
3. A Brief History of Medical and Industry Knowledge of Asbestos Risks
4. Duty of Care
Part One – The Common Law 24
Part Two – Statutory and Regulatory Duties 46
5. Breach of Duty and Evidence
6. Types of Asbestos-Related Injury
7. Causation in Asbestos Claims
8. Damages
Part One – Damages for Pain, Suffering and Loss of Amenity 94
Part Two – Issues in Fatal Claims 99
Part Three – Issues in Living Claims 107
9. Procedure
10. Limitation Defences