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Personal Injury

Asbestos exposure

Over the past 35 years we’ve supported thousands of people with asbestos related diseases with their claims for compensation.

Helping people who suffer from an asbestos related disease

For the past 35 years, Slater and Gordon have worked with thousands of Australians who have suffered from asbestos related diseases. We are proud to support sufferers and their families by taking care of their legal needs so that they can focus on their health and families.

If you suffer from mesothelioma or other related disease, let us help you.

Understanding asbestos related diseases

When products containing asbestos are disturbed (for example, cut, broken or drilled into), tiny fibres are released into the air. When these fibres are breathed in, they can become trapped in the lungs and may cause a number of very serious diseases.

Regardless of your age or occupation, exposure can occur in many different situations and may have a major impact on your health. Some of the common asbestos-related diseases that may develop include:

Learn more about related diseases

View list of common asbestos products.

We can help investigate how you may have been exposed

We will work with you to understand your potential exposure history and investigate on your behalf.

Even if you’re unsure if or how you were exposed, we can help you work it out.

We have a vast database of detailed information regarding sites where asbestos was used, products that contained asbestos, and other useful information that can assist to pinpoint an exposure.

Common ways exposure can occur include:

  • You handled products that contained asbestos at work
  • You performed renovations to property
  • You handled and washed clothes that contained asbestos

If you were exposed at work, even if your employer went out of business years ago, you may still be eligible for compensation. 

We're here to help. Make an enquiry now.

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.

You may be eligible to claim even if you smoke

There is no known relationship between smoking and the development of mesothelioma. If you were exposed, even if you smoke or used to smoke, you should seek advice from our experienced lawyers who can help assess whether you may have a claim.

Understanding your entitlements

If you suffer from an asbestos related disease, you may be entitled to compensation for:

  • Pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life
  • Past and future medical expenses
  • Past and future loss of income
  • Cost of assistance around the home
  • Nursing care
  • Other out of pocket expenses

If you’ve lost a loved one because of an asbestos related disease a claim may still be available to their estate or dependents.

Act quickly

If you’ve been diagnosed with an asbestos related disease, it’s very important to seek advice as soon as possible to make sure legal proceedings are issued within your lifetime, to ensure your rights are fully protected.

Listen to the moving story of one of our clients and his wife. Our client was diagnosed with mesothelioma, and as part of his case, we were able to help him provide for the future care of his wife, who has suffered from polio since she was five.

How we can help

With over 35 years’ experience, we are one of the largest and most experienced teams in Australia. When you choose Slater and Gordon, you get the support of an entire team who have a deep understanding of what you’re going through.

  • Meetings that are convenient for you

    We understand that there may be circumstances where you may not be able to travel. We have offices nationwide, so we can come to you at home, at the hospital, over the phone or via video conference.

  • You decide how involved you’d like to be

    The way we work is designed to keep you informed but also do the work for you, so you can focus on your medical treatment and looking after yourself and your family. We’re happy to be guided by you as to how much involvement you wish to have. You’re also welcome to appoint a family member or friend to support you.
    If your case proceeds to trial, we’ll guide you through the process ensuring your health and wellbeing are prioritised.

  • Free social work services

    We understand that seeking your legal entitlements is only one aspect of your journey after a diagnosis. That’s why we offer free social work services to provide additional support for what’s to come.

    Learn more about our free social work services

We are the original No Win, No Fee* Asbestos and mesothelioma lawyers

This means that if you don’t win, you don’t pay the fees for the work we do on your case.

National Asbestos Exposure database

We have one of the largest databases of information on historical asbestos exposure details in the country, including workplaces, dangerous products, and historical witnesses. Our register makes any investigation we need to do into your exposure much simpler and more cost-effective.

Register your exposure today

We invest in research

We care about all victims of asbestos related diseases. That's why, in addition to taking care of your legal needs, we contribute to efforts made by research and treatment centres Australia-wide to try and minimise suffering and look for potential cures.

We've been investing in research that explores cures and life improving medical treatments for asbestos sufferers for many years. We're glad to make a contribution to relieving the suffering of our clients and to working towards a future in which asbestos related diseases can be better managed, if not eliminated.

Step through the process

Every case is different. Depending on your claim and your health, they can take as little as a few weeks to resolve. Our knowledgeable and caring team will guide you through each step to help you get the best possible outcome.

Meet the Asbestos compensation claims team

When you come to Slater and Gordon, you’ll have the support of a team of caring lawyers, law clerks and support staff with more than 100 years of legal experience between. Many members of our team have worked together for years; we know how to pave the way for you together.

Blog posts about "Asbestos and Dust Diseases"

When a winter cough is more than just a winter cough

As the colder months settle in across Australia, coughs, colds and respiratory infections become an all-too-familiar part of winter. For most people, a lingering cough is simply the result of a virus or seasonal illness that gradually improves with time.  However, for some Australians, particularly those who have worked with or around asbestos in the past, persistent respiratory symptoms can occasionally point to something more serious.  Mesothelioma is a rare cancer caused by exposure to asbestos, often decades earlier. One of the challenges with mesothelioma is that its early symptoms can be quite non-specific. A persistent cough, shortness of breath, chest discomfort or fatigue may...

Dust diseases blog August 2026
How to talk to your parents about asbestos exposure

Many parents and grandparents grew up in an era when the dangers of asbestos simply were not known to them. Employers failed to warn workers, products didn’t have safety labels, and many houses were built with asbestos. Bringing up asbestos exposure to loved ones can feel uncomfortable. It can be even more difficult if you do have a family member who was diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease. Understanding exposure history is valuable for awareness, even if that knowledge is confronting.  It can take decades to be diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease. That’s why it is worth having these conversations while your parents or grandparents are still able to remember clearly. The...

A young man talking to parent asbestos exposure
My company doesn’t exist anymore. Can I still obtain compensation for my asbestos-related disea …

Many asbestos related diseases don’t appear until decades after exposure. According to a report by Mesothelioma in Australia, the median age for a mesothelioma diagnosis is 77. This is a stage in life where people should be focused on family, rest and enjoying retirement, not dealing with the shock of an asbestos-related disease. By the time symptoms appear and a diagnosis is made, many companies have shut their doors, changed names or have been acquired by another company. It is no surprise that an early response surrounding the topic of dust disease compensation is: “My employer closed down years ago… What can I even do about it?” The truth is, even if your former employer no...

Man staring out of window asbestos

We're here to help. Make an enquiry now.

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