If you've been exposed, we can help
Exposure to asbestos, a mineral commonly used in building materials up until the mid-80s, can cause a range of serious and life-threatening health issues. Over the past 35 years, we’ve acted for thousands of mesothelioma sufferers and many others suffering from asbestos related lung cancer and asbestosis.
We have a proud history of fighting successfully for asbestos victims, while ensuring we do everything we can to support them and their families. Let us focus on your legal needs so you can focus on what's important.
Asbestos related illness
You may have been exposed to asbestos in your workplace, community, or home - no matter your age or occupation. If you've been around products containing asbestos that have been disturbed, tiny asbestos fibres could have been released into the air. When asbestos fibres are breathed in, they may get trapped in the lungs and remain there for a long time. Over time, these fibres can accumulate and cause scarring and inflammation, which can affect breathing and lead to serious health problems.
Some of the common asbestos-related injuries we see are:
Lung cancer
Pleural disease
Learn more about asbestos related diseases
We can help investigate your exposure
It doesn't matter if you can't remember, or don't know how you were exposed to asbestos. We can help you work it out. We'll take a detailed history from you, and carry out further investigations where necessary. We have a vast database of detailed information regarding sites that had asbestos at them, products that contained asbestos, witness names and other useful information that assists us to pinpoint how you were exposed.
If you were exposed to asbestos at work, even if your employer went out of business years ago, it is very likely you are still able to make a claim.
Smokers are still eligible
Many former and current smokers can bring claims. There is no relationship between smoking and the development of mesothelioma. Both tobacco and asbestos can contribute to the development of lung cancer. It's best to seek advice from our lawyers if you smoked and were exposed to asbestos, so they can assess whether you have a viable claim.
If you suffer from asbestosis, smoking will not have contributed to the development of your injury, but may be one cause of any breathlessness you suffer. It's best to seek the help of a lawyer to navigate and assess complex medical questions that affect your legal rights.
Know what you're entitled to
If you suffer from an asbestos related injury, 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
- The commercial cost of assistance around the home, in the garden and nursing care (even if that assistance is being provided voluntarily by relatives and friends)
- Out of pocket expenses, such as travel to medical appointments
- If your partner or a family member dies as a result of an asbestos related condition, a claim for compensation may still be available to the estate and/or the dependants of the deceased. The claim may be limited to the financial consequences of the death
Act quickly
You should get advice as soon as possible following diagnosis of an asbestos related injury. It is important to issue legal proceedings in your life time, to ensure your rights are fully protected. It will also allow time for any investigations to be completed and allow you to make informed decisions about exercising your rights.
We're here to take care of all of your legal needs
With over 35 years' experience, we are one of the largest and most experienced asbestos teams in Australia. It takes a team to do the best job possible in many asbestos claims, where historical information has to be gathered and sometimes cases have to move very quickly as our clients become increasingly sick. When you work with us, you don't just get the support of a firm who are fierce and fearless litigators - you get the support of an entire team who have an understanding of what you're going through.
In-home or in-hospital appointments
We want to make the legal process as easy for you as possible, that's why we can visit you wherever you are. You might need to be at home or in hospital for treatment, we'll come to you or make whatever arrangements suit you.
You choose how involved you'd like to be
The way we work is designed to keep you informed but keep out of your way, as you deal with the important things such as medical treatment and looking after yourself and your family. We are very familiar with the great strain a serious illness places upon both the individual and those who love and care for them, and will do all we can to work with you in a way that reduces stress and is supportive of you.
Although we do need you at key moments in your case, we are otherwise happy to be guided by you as to how much involvement you wish to have. You can appoint a family member or friend to take care of as much of the legal side of things as possible while you get on with looking after yourself. If your case proceeds to trial, you may need to be more involved, but rest assured we'll guide you through the process and make it is as clear and easy for you as we can.
Free social work services
We understand that obtaining the correct legal entitlements is only one of the many issues people have to face on their journey through life-changing incidents. As a caring and community-minded firm, we've long recognised the value of providing free social work services to address these issues to help improve clients’ wellbeing. In fact, we were the first, and are still the only law firm in Australia to offer this service. We're here to help you and your family get back on track in times of difficulty.
National Asbestos Exposure database
We have one of the largest databases of historical asbestos exposure details in the country, including workplaces and their instances of asbestos exposure, dangerous products, and historical witnesses. Our asbestos register makes any investigation we need to do into your exposure much simpler and more cost-effective.
Fees
All asbestos cases are under our No Win- No Fee* arrangement, and we carry any additional costs that are incurred throughout the entire claim. You will not pay any money at all during the life of the claim, and only when your claim is successful, we will charge you our fees.
We understand that serious injury often has a devastating impact on your financial position. Therefore, having to pay legal fees should not be a barrier to you seeking compensation. People with valid claims should be able to have access to justice. That's why we were one of the first law firms to operate on a No Win - No Fee* payment system.
You'll receive a document setting out the details of the No Win - No Fee* arrangement after your first appointment. You've not committed to anything until you sign and return the document to us. This is so you can take the time to understand your options and make a decision you're happy with.
Investing in asbestos research for a better future
Our team don't just care about the clients we take on, we care about all victims of asbestos related diseases. That's why, in addition to fighting cases like yours, 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 managed, if not eliminated.
What to expect
Every asbestos case is different. Depending on your claim and your health, they can take as little as a few weeks to resolve. There are a number of steps you may go through in the process of your case. Our knowledgable and caring team of experts will guide you through all of these stages to help you get the best possible outcome.
Get in touch
We will obtain some basic information from you concerning your health and make an appointment for you to meet a lawyer at a time and place that suits you.
We'll issue a "Writ"
We'll issue a formal document notifying the court of your intent to take action, as soon as practicable. It is important to issue legal proceedings in your life time, this is to protect your rights to compensation for pain and suffering.
We'll apply for a Speedy Trial
Where your health requires it, we'll apply for a Speedy Trial and obtain an expedited timetable for the conduct of your claim from the Court. The timetable is based upon medical evidence.
We'll obtain medical evidence
We'll obtain all medical material needed to support your claim.
You'll need to swear some documents
If you cannot leave home easily to swear documents, we'll assist you to have them sworn at home.
Your case will likely settle at the pre-trial stage
All cases are the subject of pre-trial negotiations, and the vast majority resolve at this time. Once settlement is reached, we have a dedicated staff member whose job it is to finalise everything and get your money to you as quickly as possible.
Court proceedings
Most cases do not reach this point. If yours does, you can rest assured we'll guide you every step of the way to get you the compensation you're entitled to at law.
Meet the team
When you work with Slater and Gordon, you’ll have the support of a team of caring lawyers, law clerks and support staff with over 35 years of experience fighting hard to get you the compensation you deserve. We’ll help make the entire process as simple and stress free as possible for you, while fighting fiercely behind the scenes, so you can concentrate on what’s important. Many members of our team have worked together for many years; we know how to pave the way for you together.
We won't turn you away unless your case is not worth your while, contact us today
We are proud to act for people from all walks of life, some with life threatening asbestos related illnesses, others with illnesses that limit their enjoyment of life. If you have an asbestos related injury and the claim is worth your while, we'll be honoured to act for you.
Get in touch today and we can:
Help you understand what you’re entitled to, at no initial cost or obligation
Help you get compensation for your illness
Make the entire process simple for you, by coming to your home or hospital
Help you work out how you were exposed. We'll conduct all necessary investigations and inquiries, with the help of our database.
Superannuation and Disability Insurance claims
If you are no longer performing your normal work duties as a result of your injury, you may be entitled to a disability benefit through your superannuation fund. We can conduct an obligation free assessment to find out if you may be entitled to a payment.
Learn more about Superannuation and Disability Insurance claims