Claim Checklist

Asbestos Compensation Claim Checklist: Step-by-Step Guide

Whether you’re filing with a UK trust, a US asbestos trust, a government scheme, or pursuing a lawsuit, this checklist will help you stay organized and improve your chances of success.

Step 1: Confirm Your Diagnosis

✅ Obtain an official medical diagnosis from a qualified doctor.

✅ Ensure the condition is asbestos-related, such as:

Mesothelioma

Asbestosis

Lung cancer linked to asbestos

Pleural thickening or diffuse pleural disease

Step 2: Gather Exposure Evidence

✅ Employment history: job titles, employers, and dates.

✅ Workplace locations: factories, shipyards, construction sites, power plants, etc.

✅ Trade or union membership records.

✅ Military service records if applicable.

✅ Secondary exposure: clothing, tools, or household contact with asbestos.

✅ Photographs, site plans, or product manuals that reference asbestos.

Step 3: Identify Potential Claim Routes

✅ UK Claimants:

T & N UK Asbestos Trust or EL Trust

Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme (DMPS)

Civil lawsuit against former employer or insurer

Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB)

✅ USA Claimants:

Asbestos Trust Fund claims (Johns-Manville, Owens Corning, etc.)

Personal injury lawsuits

Veterans’ benefits (VA claims)

Wrongful death claims for family members

Step 4: Collect Supporting Documents

✅ Medical reports and pathology results.

✅ Employment or exposure records.

✅ Pay slips, contracts, or pension statements.

✅ Witness statements from coworkers, family members, or supervisors.

✅ Any prior claims filed or payments received.

Step 5: Complete Claim Forms

✅ Request claim forms from the trust administrator or government scheme.

✅ Fill out personal information, exposure history, and medical diagnosis.

✅ Include all supporting documentation.

✅ Double-check for accuracy and completeness.

Step 6: Submit and Track Your Claim

✅ Submit via mail or online, depending on the trust or scheme instructions.

✅ Keep copies of everything submitted.

✅ Note the date of submission and expected processing timeline.

✅ Follow up periodically for updates.

Step 7: Consult an Experienced Attorney (Optional but Recommended)

✅ Specialized asbestos attorneys can:

Maximize trust payouts or lawsuit settlements

Help identify all applicable trusts

Coordinate simultaneous trust and court claims

Ensure compliance with statutes of limitation

Step 8: Monitor and Receive Payment

✅ Trust administrators review the claim.

✅ Additional evidence may be requested—respond promptly.

✅ Payments are usually lump sum, fast-tracked for terminal illnesses.

✅ Track total compensation if claiming from multiple trusts or government schemes.

Pro Tips

Start as early as possible—statutes of limitation can expire quickly.

Keep a single organized folder for all medical, employment, and claim documents.

Even if unsure about eligibility, submitting a claim is better than missing deadlines.

Secondary exposure claims (family members) require clear documentation of contact with asbestos-containing items.