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Over the past 35 years, the asbestos team at Slater and Gordon has acted for more than 2500 people suffering from asbestos related diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis.

In this time, we’ve developed the Slater and Gordon National Asbestos Register. This is one of the largest databases of asbestos exposure details in the country.

In this article, we explain what the Register is and how you, or someone you might know, can benefit from it.

Why are we talking about asbestos?

Asbestos is a mineral found in the earth which contains very strong fibres. It was used extensively throughout Australia for many decades in applications such as cement sheets, insulation, asbestos blankets, brakes and clutch linings.

Find out more about asbestos.

Unfortunately, asbestos is also highly toxic and can cause terminal cancer, often many years after exposure.

Find out more about asbestos-related diseases.

While asbestos is gradually being phased out, people are still being diagnosed with illnesses and still being exposed to asbestos today.

How does the National Asbestos Register work?

The Slater and Gordon National Asbestos Register is a database of people from all around Australia who have been exposed to, become ill from, or have died because of asbestos.

It includes information about asbestos in workplaces, where people have been exposed and witness statements which can assist in current cases. There are now thousands of people on the National Register. Every piece of information can help you or someone else in the future.

To give an example of how it works, a gentleman contacted us to advise he had been diagnosed with pleural plaques. He registered his details and work history on Slater and Gordon National Asbestos Register.

Over a decade later, he was diagnosed with mesothelioma. He was very ill and undergoing chemotherapy so not able to recall his work history well. Given he had registered his details, that information was there and his claim was run quickly and efficiently.

If you know you have been exposed to asbestos, you can register online or request a hard copy form by submitting an enquiry below.

What information do you ask for?

Initially, we ask for very basic information:

  • Your name

  • Your contact details

  • A description of your exposure to asbestos

  • Whether you've been diagnosed with any asbestos-related conditions

Once you’ve made a submission we’ll contact you to ask a little bit more about your story and get a better understanding of your situation.

Should I register even if I’m not unwell?

Absolutely.

For one, asbestos-related diseases are notoriously slow to develop. It can take as many as 40 years after exposure for any symptoms to develop.

But even if you never develop any illness, you are doing a huge community service by providing information to the database. Your information may help someone else in the future.

Am I eligible for compensation if I’ve become ill from asbestos?

You may be, and it’s very important to keep in mind that it is possible to make an asbestos claim even if:

  • Your exposure occurred many decades ago
  • Your employer went out of business a long time ago
  • You’re not sure where or how your asbestos exposure occurred
  • Your exposure occurred overseas

If you - or someone you love – may have been exposed to asbestos or has symptoms associated with asbestos exposure, you can get in touch online, call us on 1800 555 777, or access the Slater and Gordon National Asbestos Register.

For Asbestos matters we offer a No Win - No Fee* service.

*conditions apply, visit No Win - No Fee for details

The contents of this blog post are considered accurate as at the date of publication. However the applicable laws may be subject to change, thereby affecting the accuracy of the article. The information contained in this blog post is of a general nature only and is not specific to anyone’s personal circumstances. Please seek legal advice before acting on any of the information contained in this post.

Thank you for your feedback.

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If you have a question, want some more information or would just like to speak to someone, make an enquiry now and our Asbestos team will be in touch with you as soon as possible.

Call us on 1800 444 141