Compensation claims

In a common law compensation claim you need to prove that:

• you were exposed to asbestos in your past;
• the defendant owed you a legal duty of care;
• your exposure to asbestos has caused you to develop mesothelioma;
• you have suffered pain, suffering, loss and damage because of the mesothelioma; and
• the defendant was negligent in causing, or allowing, you to be exposed to asbestos (for example, your employer failed to prevent you from being exposed to asbestos in your workplace or a manufacturer failed to warn you asbestos could be dangerous to your health).

First you will meet with a lawyer in their office, at your home or in the hospital. Your lawyer will take a detailed life and work history from you and discuss any exposures to asbestos you may have had. If you can’t remember any asbestos exposure don’t worry. Many people can’t remember straightaway how they were exposed to asbestos, as it was probably a long time ago. It may take time to talk through your history and work out how you were exposed to asbestos.

Your lawyer may organise for you to see a doctor who is an expert in the field of asbestos-related diseases. If you are not well enough to leave your home, then your lawyer can organise for the doctor to visit you at your home or in hospital. Your lawyer will work around your medical appointments or treatments to try to make things less stressful for you.

During the course of your common law claim your lawyer will contact you regularly to discuss the progress of your claim. If there is a change in your health, you or a family member should let your lawyer know. You should feel able to speak to your lawyer at any time about any aspect of your claim.

Before a common law claim can proceed to a court trial, the claim will usually go to a ‘settlement conference’ or ‘mediation’. A settlement conference or mediation is a chance for the parties in the claim to meet and attempt to settle the claim. Most common law claims for asbestos-related diseases settle at this stage and do not proceed to a court trial.

If your common law claim does not resolve at the settlement conference or mediation, your claim will go to trial before a court. During the trial you may be required to give evidence in court. If you are not well enough to attend court, a judge or court-appointed representative will visit you at home or in hospital to take your evidence.

There are different categories of compensation (known as heads of damages) you may be eligible for. These are used by the court to determine how much compensation you are entitled to. They include compensation for:

• the pain and suffering you have endured as a result of the mesothelioma diagnosis (known as general damages);
• loss of life expectancy;
• past and future loss of income caused by the mesothelioma diagnosis (including your entitlements such as superannuation);
• compensation for any out-of-pocket expenses you have incurred as a result of the diagnosis such as medical or pharmaceutical expenses;
• compensation for the gratuitous care provided to you by your friends and family, as a result of mesothelioma;
• compensation for your legal costs in bringing a common law claim for compensation.

In some circumstances compensation may be claimed for your loss of ability to provide care and domestic assistance to a dependant such as a spouse, child and/or grandchild.

Get help with financial hardship early. Don’t wait until your financial situation becomes worse. Explain your circumstances to your creditors and service providers, and often they will try to help you.

Most common law claims for mesothelioma are settled out of court. Only a few cases actually proceed to a court trial. Most claims settle within three to six months of a claim being lodged. If your prognosis is poor or you suddenly become very unwell, the process can be sped up to try to ensure your common law claim is resolved in your lifetime.

Many people diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma worry their claim won’t be finalised before they die. The largest component of compensation is usually the general damages. So long as you start a common law claim in your lifetime, then your entitlement to general damages is protected and your estate would be able to continue with your claim if you die before your claim is finalised.

In some circumstances your family may also be entitled to dependency entitlements if you die because of the mesothelioma. Your lawyer will let you know if this applies to you and your family.

Legal costs are generally dependent on the amount of legal work required to resolve your case. Most lawyers who specialise in asbestos-related compensation claims offer a ‘no win, no fee’ agreement. This means the lawyers will only charge for legal services if they are successful in resolving your case. Additionally you are also entitled to claim a large portion of your legal costs from the defendants as part of your common law claim. The amount will depend on whether your case was resolved at mediation or at trial. Talk to your lawyer for more details.

If your claim is successful your lawyer will let you know if you need to make any repayments to the following:

• Medicare for any medical treatments received relating to your diagnosis of mesothelioma
  your private health insurer for any medical treatments that were covered by the insurer and that related to your diagnosis of mesothelioma.
• Centrelink if you are receiving a disability pension.
• Department of Veterans’ Affairs if you have received certain veterans’ entitlements
  any public hospital where you have received certain inpatient or outpatient services.

Usually, your lawyer will include any amounts you are required to repay in your common law claim. This means you will still receive your compensation and you will not be left ‘out of pocket’ for any repayments you may be liable to make.

Making a mesothelioma claim is a specialised area. It is important to talk to a lawyer and law firm experienced in this area of work, as they often have a wealth of knowledge about how and where asbestos was used.

Talking to an expert in this field can help reduce the time taken to investigate a claim. Experienced lawyers also have a good understanding of pleural mesothelioma and what you are coping with.

To find a lawyer who specialises in common law claims for mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases contact the law society in your state or territory:

• South Australia 08 8229 0200
• Northern Territory 08 8981 5104

• Name of the Act:  Return to Work Act 2014
• Who can make a claim? People exposed to asbestos while employed in South Australia
• What are my entitlements? Weekly payments of 100 per cent from zero to 52 weeks, 80 per cent from 53 weeks until retirement age. Medical, health and support services will be provided for the life of the worker.
• Do I have to prove fault? No
• Can I apply for other benefits? Yes, benefits are in addition to your right to claim at common law.
• Can my family apply? If you were working at the time of your diagnosis and you die because of your asbestos-related disease, your dependants may also receive entitlements. Your lawyer will discuss this with you and your family.
• How to make a claim: Contact Return To Work SA at rtwsa.com or call 13 18 55.

• Name of the Act: Return to Work Act
• Who can make a claim? People exposed to asbestos while employed in the Northern Territory
• What are my entitlements? Weekly payments plus medical, surgical and rehabilitation treatment costs.
• Do I have to prove fault? No
• Can I apply for other benefits? May be entitled to compensation under other laws, in which case won’t be entitled to compensation under this Act.
• Can my family apply? If you were working at the time of your diagnosis and you die because of your asbestos-related disease, your dependants may also receive entitlements. Your lawyer will discuss this with you and your family.
• How to make a claim: Contact NT WorkSafe at worksafe.nt.gov.au.