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Help when you need it most
We know that if you or a loved one is diagnosed with an asbestos related disease; such as mesothelioma or asbestosis, you will have a lot on your mind. The prospect of embarking on a legal case is probably very daunting. Our job is to take the stress out of it for you.
We can arrange for you to meet with a lawyer at home or at hospital – wherever you are most comfortable.
Here at Gordon Legal, our lawyers have decades of experience guiding our clients and their families through this challenging time by leading with compassion, understanding and the expertise needed to get results.
Choosing an experienced asbestos lawyer is critical. These claims have time limits and requirements that your lawyer needs to know and act on to protect your case.
We can help you make your claim for compensation on a No-Win No-Fee basis.
With combined decades of extensive experience working in asbestos litigation, our legal team are well-equipped to ensure you achieve the justice you deserve. We can investigate your claim, gather all the information, and handle all the legal side of the process. You can be as involved as you want to be – we’ll keep you in the loop when you need to be, and leave the jargon out of your way so you can focus on what matters most to you.
Chat to one of our friendly staff today to find out more.
Asbestos Lawyers
How can we can help you?
When faced with an asbestos disease diagnosis, your life can get turned upside down. Understandably, legal proceedings may be the last thing you wish to deal with.
Here at Gordon Legal, we believe in making this process as easy as it can possibly be. Achieving financial compensation is something meaningful you can do to achieve a sense of justice for yourself and your family in this incredibly difficult time.
It is really important that you lodge a claim as quickly as possible – strict time limitations apply to this area of the law.
Asbestos law is highly specialised. Our expert lawyers can help you navigate the system; take care of your case from start to finish, explain to you the steps that are involved and fight to achieve compensation as quickly as possible
Call us on 1800 21 22 23 and talk to a lawyer today.
No Win No Fee for Asbestos Claims
Our asbestos lawyers offer legal services in this area on a No-Win No-Fee basis.
This means that we will meet with you, investigate your case and provide you advice without any cost or obligation. It also means that if we offer to act for you, and you take us up on this offer, you will not be responsible for any up-front legal fees or disbursements until the end of the claim.
Your lawyer will talk you through the No-Win No Fee costs structure when you meet.
Victoria’s most experienced Asbestos team
Peter Gordon’s accomplishments in asbestos-related compensation claims have made both headlines and history. At Gordon Legal, we’re proud to have one of the pioneers behind the no-win no-fee option for dust diseases litigation on our team.
In 1985 he achieved the first successful mesothelioma damages verdict in Australia. Watch the video where Peter talks about his landmark win.
Since that time, in over 2000 successful claims, Peter’s tireless work has reshaped the legal landscape around asbestos claims. He has achieved several firsts in the fight for justice for victims of asbestos diseases, and continues to advocate for speedy justice for afflicted clients.
He remains as passionate now as he was then about the rights of asbestos disease sufferers.
Victoria Keays is an accredited specialist in personal injury law with a particular interest in asbestos litigation.
Victoria has over 10 years’ experience in representing those suffering from all forms of asbestos diseases; including mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis and asbestos related pleural disease. Victoria is also passionate about achieving compensation for those afflicted by other occupational diseases, such as silicosis and occupational lung cancer. Victoria has represented clients in a number of jurisdictions around Australia and has been recognised by Doyle’s Guide as a leading lawyer in the area of Dust Diseases.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Asbestos
What is asbestos and where is it found?
Asbestos is a term used for a group of naturally occurring minerals, mined in Australia and around the world, perhaps most notoriously at Wittenoom in Western Australia.
Once mined, asbestos was mixed with other materials and turned into building and insulation products and used widely throughout Australia. Asbestos was very popular in Australia, which sadly means that we have one of the highest rates of asbestos related disease in the world.
Asbestos was used in a variety of common products including:
- Insulation (lagging) on pipes and beams
- A/C sheeting
- Flues and pipes
- Linings for brakes and clutches
- Millboard and products for switchboard backingGaskets
- Some forms of flooring
Asbestos was used in building products in Australia until the 1980s, and not completely banned until 2003.
When asbestos containing products are cut, drilled, or handled in any way that causes dust, it is extremely dangerous. Asbestos fibres are inhaled and can lodge in the lung, causing a range of asbestos related conditions later in life.
What conditions are caused by asbestos?
Asbestos causes a number of conditions. The most common ones are:
Pleural plaques – Pleural plaques are benign areas of scar tissue on the lining of the lung. They are markers of past asbestos exposure. Pleural plaques generally do not cause symptoms, and therefore; in most cases, are not compensable. However, in extreme cases when plaques cause pain and/or disability, a compensation claim may be made.
Asbestos related pleural disease (ARPD) – ARPD is a broad term used for abnormalities which occur on the lining of the lung, called the pleura. When these abnormalities cause shortness of breath or pain, compensation can be claimed.
Asbestosis – Asbestosis is a scarring (fibrosis) of the lung which can occur following heavy exposure to asbestos. Asbestosis often causes symptoms such as: increasing shortness of breath, cough, lung infections. These symptoms vary in severity from person to person.
Lung cancer – Lung cancer is a general term for a malignant tumour of the lung. Lung cancer has multiple causes, the most common of these being cigarette smoking. However, heavy exposures to asbestos can also cause lung cancer. People who have sustained exposure to asbestos as well as cigarette smoke are at a significantly increased risk of developing lung cancer.
Mesothelioma – Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer of the lining of the lung (pleura) or abdomen (peritoneum). The only known cause of mesothelioma is asbestos. Sadly, mesothelioma is often associated with a short prognosis.
We understand that if you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you are searching for a lawyer who understands you are not just a statistic.
An experienced mesothelioma lawyer understands the medical context, the personal impact of course all of the legal ramifications of a diagnosis.
Asbestos claims can be tricky, so it is essential that you get the right advice from experts. Our team have handled thousands of asbestos cases in their careers.
We assist many clients who are unsure if their asbestos claim is valid for a variety of reasons.
Perhaps you don’t know when you were exposed, or consider your exposure to be too trivial, too brief or too long ago. Maybe you don’t work for the employer or company where you were exposed anymore, or have worked in numerous places where your exposure to asbestos might have occurred.
Whatever your circumstances, our lawyers can assist you investigate your claim.
I have been exposed to asbestos. What should I do?
It is important to remember that most people who are exposed to asbestos do not develop an asbestos-related disease, but it is understandable to be concerned.
If you have been exposed to asbestos, you should make your treating doctor aware of your exposure, and have regular check-ups.
It’s also a good idea to keep a record of your asbestos exposure. If you do develop an asbestos related condition in the future and decide to make a claim for compensation, it is useful to have some details of your past exposure.
You can register your exposure with Gordon Legal here. Registering is cost and obligation free and an easy way to know your exposure has been recorded.
I have been diagnosed with an asbestos related disease. What do I do now?
If you are diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, it is important to seek legal advice and to do it quickly. Sadly, some asbestos diseases are associated with a short prognosis.
In a lot of cases, pain and suffering damages are the largest component of a compensation claim. Provided your case is issued within your lifetime, your entitlement to pain and suffering damages is protected for the benefit of those left behind.
To protect your case, your lawyer needs to:
- Talk to you about your exposure history
- Figure out who the right defendants are in your case
- Issue proceedings to ensure your case is protected.
The sooner you get advice, the better.
In addition to the above, different states have different time limits in which to bring claims. This is a very specialised area of the law. It is critical you obtain advice from a lawyer with extensive experience in the area.
My employer has gone out of business. Can I still make a claim?
In most cases, yes.
If your employer is deregistered, but there is evidence that they held workers’ compensation insurance at the time you worked for them, your lawyer will be able to make an application to the court to proceed against your former employer.
It will also be important for your lawyer to consider whether other parties are at fault in causing your injury, such as manufacturers of asbestos products or occupiers of sites that you worked at.
What our customers say
Our dad was diagnosed with lung mesothelioma cancer late last year. We were devastated! We were very fortunate to be recommended to Victoria Keays via dads lung specialist. Our first thoughts were to not bother with a lawsuit let’s just get dads treatment underway and focus on him. However, after speaking with Victoria and doing some research, we changed our minds! On principle we needed to pursue this. Dad came to Australia for a better life, to provide for his family, unfortunately his workplace were responsible for him acquiring this deadly disease which will now take away his life! They need to be accountable! We cannot speak highly enough of Victoria. She has been incredible. Victoria is very knowledgeable, professional, reliable, friendly and showed empathy and kindness to the whole family! Dad was diagnosed in October and case was finalised mid December. Thank you for helping to make the rest of dads life, a little more comfortable. If anyone else is unfortunate enough to be in the same boat as us, and thinking about pursuing a law claim for the same disease, do it! Victoria has made it so easy and stress free for us. We are forever grateful! 🙏🏼♥️
Penny
We worked with Tess Dickie of Gordon Legal on a compensation claim and everything went very smoothly and quickly. Tess was very professional as well as had great empathy for our father, who was very ill at the time. Tess was very responsive to all our requests, even on days she was not working. Time was of the essence for the claim, and Tess worked hard to make sure it went through as quickly as possible. Her knowledge and skills were of a very high standard, she was always able to answer our questions on the spot. All Gordon Legal staff we had dealings with were professional and responsive.
Sandra
My husband was diagnosed with mesothelioma late last year. This terrible disease took over our lives in ways we couldn’t even imagine.Trying to navigate through hospital and doctor’s appointments and then deciding to take legal action was very difficult.
The best decision we ever made was to secure Victoria Keays from Gordon Legal to represent us. From the very first meeting, her friendly yet professional approach put us at ease and gave us confidence. Victoria was alway there to answer questions and keep us up to date with all legal proceedings. She really went above and beyond her duty of care to make sure our case had the best outcome possible. We highly recommend Victoria Keays and the team at Gordon Legal to give sound and caring advice at all times.
Karen
I am most grateful for the assistance Gordon Legal gave my father and me when pursuing my fathers asbestosis claim. Tessa was brilliant with her advice and so accommodating of my fathers dementia. We had a great outcome of compensation, making a big difference to the on going care he now requires. Thanks so much Tessa and Gordon Legal.
Kerry
Our dad was diagnosed with lung mesothelioma cancer late last year. We were devastated! We were very fortunate to be recommended to Victoria Keays via dads lung specialist. Our first thoughts were to not bother with a lawsuit let’s just get dads treatment underway and focus on him. However, after speaking with Victoria and doing some research, we changed our minds! On principle we needed to pursue this. Dad came to Australia for a better life, to provide for his family, unfortunately his workplace were responsible for him acquiring this deadly disease which will now take away his life! They need to be accountable! We cannot speak highly enough of Victoria. She has been incredible. Victoria is very knowledgeable, professional, reliable, friendly and showed empathy and kindness to the whole family! Dad was diagnosed in October and case was finalised mid December. Thank you for helping to make the rest of dads life, a little more comfortable. If anyone else is unfortunate enough to be in the same boat as us, and thinking about pursuing a law claim for the same disease, do it! Victoria has made it so easy and stress free for us. We are forever grateful! 🙏🏼♥️
Penny
We worked with Tess Dickie of Gordon Legal on a compensation claim and everything went very smoothly and quickly. Tess was very professional as well as had great empathy for our father, who was very ill at the time. Tess was very responsive to all our requests, even on days she was not working. Time was of the essence for the claim, and Tess worked hard to make sure it went through as quickly as possible. Her knowledge and skills were of a very high standard, she was always able to answer our questions on the spot. All Gordon Legal staff we had dealings with were professional and responsive.
Sandra
My husband was diagnosed with mesothelioma late last year. This terrible disease took over our lives in ways we couldn’t even imagine.Trying to navigate through hospital and doctor’s appointments and then deciding to take legal action was very difficult.
The best decision we ever made was to secure Victoria Keays from Gordon Legal to represent us. From the very first meeting, her friendly yet professional approach put us at ease and gave us confidence. Victoria was alway there to answer questions and keep us up to date with all legal proceedings. She really went above and beyond her duty of care to make sure our case had the best outcome possible. We highly recommend Victoria Keays and the team at Gordon Legal to give sound and caring advice at all times.
Karen
I am most grateful for the assistance Gordon Legal gave my father and me when pursuing my fathers asbestosis claim. Tessa was brilliant with her advice and so accommodating of my fathers dementia. We had a great outcome of compensation, making a big difference to the on going care he now requires. Thanks so much Tessa and Gordon Legal.
Kerry
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We listen until we understand, and quickly provide the best advice so you can make a well-informed decision.
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