Mesothelioma is not just a medical term. For families across Ireland, it’s a word that turns everything upside down. Often diagnosed late, frequently linked to past work, and sadly resistant to treatment, mesothelioma leaves many with more questions than answers and very little time.
Mesothelioma is not just a medical term. For families across Ireland, it’s a word that turns everything upside down. Often diagnosed late, frequently linked to past work, and sadly resistant to treatment, mesothelioma leaves many with more questions than answers and very little time.
At Crimmins Howard Solicitors, we understand what you’re going through because we’ve stood with others like you. People from Cork, Dublin, Limerick and other areas in Ireland. People who worked hard in construction, maintenance, shipyards, and public services. People who were never warned about the dangers of asbestos, even years after the risks were known.
Although asbestos was banned in Ireland back in 2000, it’s only now that many workers and their families are seeing the effects. Mesothelioma can take decades to develop, and when it strikes, it strikes fast. A major study from the National Cancer Registry found that Ireland’s mesothelioma rates continued to rise nearly a decade after the ban. One-year survival rates remain heartbreakingly low, and some regions have seen better outcomes than others meaning where you live can affect your odds.
At Crimmins Howard Solicitors, we believe in fairness. We believe in standing up for workers who were let down. And we’ll do everything we can to help you and your family access the justice you deserve.
If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma linked to your work, reach out to us today. We’re ready to listen and ready to help.
Mesothelioma is a rare but aggressive cancer that develops in the lining of internal organs, most commonly the lungs. It is directly linked to asbestos exposure and is classified as an industrial disease in Ireland. While the condition itself is medically complex, what’s important to know is this mesothelioma almost always results from someone being exposed to asbestos fibres, often without warning or proper protection.
In Ireland, the most common form is pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the lungs. Less frequently, the disease develops in the abdominal cavity (peritoneal mesothelioma), the heart, or even the testes. Unfortunately, mesothelioma tends to spread quickly and is typically diagnosed at a late stage. This is because it can take 20 to 50 years for symptoms to appear after exposure. That long delay is known as the latency period and it’s a major reason why cases are still being diagnosed today, even though asbestos was banned here over two decades ago.
According to research from Cork and Dublin, mesothelioma rates in Ireland rose steadily between 1994 and 2009, with no signs of decline despite the ban. Regional survival rates also varied, suggesting that where a person lives can influence the outcome of their care.
While there is no cure, treatment may involve chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or surgery to manage symptoms and improve quality of life. But given the short average survival time after diagnosis often less than a year the legal steps toward compensation become just as urgent as the medical ones.
At Crimmins Howard Solicitors, we support individuals and families facing this devastating illness by helping them make sense of their legal rights with care, speed, and compassion.
Although asbestos is no longer in use, its legacy still haunts many Irish workplaces particularly in construction, heavy industry, shipyards, and older public buildings. For decades, asbestos was widely used for insulation, roofing, flooring, fireproofing, and pipe lagging due to its low cost and resistance to heat. What most workers didn’t know was that these materials released microscopic fibres when disturbed and once inhaled, those fibres could remain in the body for years before causing harm.
At Crimmins Howard Solicitors, we’ve seen just how common it was for workers across Ireland to be unknowingly exposed. In particular, exposure happened in the following ways:
Even after the health risks of asbestos were known, many employers failed to implement proper safety measures. In some cases, no protective equipment was provided. In others, workers were not even told they were handling asbestos. And for self-employed tradesmen, subcontractors, or public workers maintaining schools and hospitals, the warnings were often non-existent.
Most mesothelioma claimants we support were employed in roles such as:
In many of these cases, the exposure happened gradually, over years. But the consequences are long-lasting and severe. Some individuals were exposed across multiple jobs, or worked alongside others using asbestos-containing materials. Even brief exposure can be enough to cause mesothelioma decades later.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. We can help you determine whether you have a valid claim, even if your exposure happened many years ago or your employer is no longer in operation.
Mesothelioma is difficult to detect early. Its symptoms often don’t appear until the disease has reached an advanced stage, and when they do, they are frequently mistaken for less serious illnesses such as chest infections or musculoskeletal pain. This delay in diagnosis is one of the reasons why mesothelioma is so devastating by the time it’s identified, treatment options are limited and prognosis is poor.
For those who were exposed to asbestos in a work setting even decades ago it’s important to be aware of the warning signs. Common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the lungs, include:
In peritoneal mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the abdomen, symptoms may include abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habits.
Some people experience only vague or mild symptoms at first. Others may not have any signs until the disease has already progressed. If you or a family member were ever exposed to asbestos and are now experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s vital to inform your GP and request a referral to a specialist. A diagnosis typically involves scans, blood tests, and a biopsy.
A confirmed mesothelioma diagnosis is usually made by a consultant respiratory physician or oncologist, and it can come as a shock particularly when the connection to past work isn’t immediately clear.
At Crimmins Howard Solicitors, we help clients make sense of the link between their diagnosis and historical workplace conditions. We work closely with medical experts and gather the evidence needed to support your legal rights from the moment of diagnosis onward.
Mesothelioma claims in Ireland are typically brought by individuals who were exposed to asbestos while working but the right to claim isn’t limited to employees alone. If you or someone in your family has received a diagnosis, you may be entitled to pursue compensation regardless of when or where the exposure happened, so long as it can be linked to negligent handling of asbestos.
You may be eligible to make a claim if:
Many people who contact Crimmins Howard Solicitors believe they’re not eligible to claim because:
In all of these cases, a claim may still be possible. We help clients trace exposure across long work histories and deal with issues like dissolved companies, missing employment records, or exposure across multiple jobs.
Whether you’re the person diagnosed or a family member, we’ll guide you through your rights clearly, with care and professionalism. There’s no need to second-guess whether you qualify we’ll help you find out.
A mesothelioma diagnosis brings emotional, physical and financial burdens not just for the individual, but for the entire family. The purpose of a legal claim is not to undo what’s happened, but to secure fair compensation for the very real impact this illness has on your life and future.
At Crimmins Howard Solicitors, we ensure that every element of your loss is carefully considered when building your claim. Depending on your circumstances, you may be entitled to the following:
We will assess all of these areas with you, ensuring your claim reflects the full extent of what has been lost—not just financially, but personally too.
When someone is diagnosed with mesothelioma, legal questions often arise alongside the medical ones. At Crimmins Howard Solicitors, we make it our priority to answer these clearly, honestly, and in plain English. Below are some of the most common concerns we hear from clients and their families:
Yes. Mesothelioma often develops 20 to 50 years after exposure. The key date is when you were diagnosed not when the exposure occurred. The two-year time limit begins from the date you became aware your illness was linked to asbestos.
You can still make a claim. We investigate the company’s past insurers, trace corporate successors, and build the case using employment records and occupational history. Even if the business closed down, compensation may still be available.
Yes. Liability does not rest solely on traditional employers. If you worked on third-party sites or were placed in hazardous conditions by others, a claim may still be viable.
Yes. A dependent or next of kin can bring what’s called a dependency claim, which includes loss of income, funeral expenses, and loss of services once provided by the deceased.
That’s common. We identify all possible sources of exposure and pursue each responsible party. You’re not required to pinpoint one specific incident.
Not necessarily. Many mesothelioma claims are settled before reaching court, particularly where liability is clear. If court becomes necessary, we guide you through every step.
If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma from asbestos exposure at work, we’re here to help. At Crimmins Howard Solicitors, we’ll guide you through your claim with clarity, urgency, and compassion. Call us today or use our online form to get straightforward legal support from a trusted local team who understands your situation.
