Asbestosis Compensation in Canada
What Is Asbestosis?
Asbestosis is a chronic lung disease caused by inhaling asbestos fibers. Over time, these fibers scar the lungs, making it increasingly difficult to breathe. Many Canadians with severe asbestosis eventually require oxygen support.
Asbestos manufacturers knew for decades that exposure could lead to serious health conditions, including asbestosis and asbestos-related cancers. Today, some of these companies fund asbestos trust claims to compensate workers and their families.
Many people contact our firm believing they have asbestosis. When we review the medical records, the diagnosis is often pleural plaques, scarring, interstitial lung disease or fibrosis. These findings show asbestos exposure but are not the same as a confirmed diagnosis of asbestosis. Additionally, an in personal physical exam is also required by many trusts to confirm the diagnosis.
To qualify for an asbestosis claim, the medical records must clearly diagnose asbestosis. Imaging findings or breathing symptoms alone are not enough.
Filing Asbestosis Trust Fund Claims in Canada
After becoming aware of the hazardous effect of asbestos, many countries, including Canada, limited its use in the early 1980s. In 2012 Canada stopped exporting asbestos to developing countries. In December 2016 the Liberal government announced a plan to ban the imports of asbestos products by 2018.
In the U.S., manufacturers that used asbestos products were the subject of class action lawsuits. In many cases, the liability faced by these companies was far greater than the company’s assets. As a result, they declared bankruptcy and set up asbestos compensation trusts that pooled company assets and insurance money to help pay victims who have suffered asbestos injuries, primarily mesothelioma. Any Canadian affiliates of those companies also filed for creditor protection and their assets were also placed in trust. Anyone who can prove that they’ve been harmed by the products made by that company can make a claim against the trust for compensation instead of having to sue.
Who Qualifies for an Asbestosis Claim?
To qualify for an asbestos-related illness claim in Canada, you must provide:
• At least 6 months of occupational asbestos exposure
• A diagnosis of asbestosis made by a physician who physically examined you
• Chest imaging showing asbestos related lung disease
• Pulmonary function testing showing measurable impairment (below 65%)
Miskin Law will assess your medical documentation and, if needed, work with specialists to confirm the diagnosis.
Symptoms of Asbestosis
Asbestosis symptoms often develop slowly and may take years to appear. Common signs include:
- Shortness of breath (especially during physical activity)
- Persistent dry cough
- Chest tightness or pain
- Crackling sounds in the lungs (heard with a stethoscope)
- Finger clubbing (enlarged fingertips with curved nails)
- Fatigue and reduced exercise tolerance
Asbestosis Compensation in Canada
Even with clear proof of asbestos exposure, filing claims against specific trust funds is complex. Evidence must link exposure to particular asbestos products used in Canadian job sites.
At Miskin Law, we have decades of experience investigating Canadian workplaces and filing trust fund claims in the U.S. on behalf of Canadian clients. Trust payments typically range from $1,000 to more than $50,000, and multiple claims can significantly increase total compensation.
Workers’ Compensation for Asbestosis in Canada
Each Canadian province has its own rules for Workers’ Compensation related to asbestos exposure. Benefits may include:
- Lump-sum payments
- Medical expense coverage
- Funeral and survivor benefits
⚠️ Important: If you apply for Workers’ Compensation, you cannot pursue legal claims through asbestos trust funds. Before filing, contact Miskin Law to determine which option provides the best compensation.
Who Is at Risk for Asbestosis
Many Canadians were exposed to asbestos on the job without knowing the risks. Even if you never handled asbestos directly, simply working near others who did could lead to exposure. You may be at risk if you worked in:
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Industrial plants (steel, aluminum, chemical, fertilizer, or pulp and paper)
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Power plants or generating stations
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Refineries or smelters
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Shipyards or shipbuilding
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Construction or demolition
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Plumbing, pipefitting, or insulation trades
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Electrical, HVAC, or boiler maintenance
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Military bases or naval vessels
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Schools, hospitals, or government buildings with older infrastructure
Why Canadians Choose Miskin Law
Miskin Law is Canada’s leading asbestos law firm, based in Ontario and representing victims nationwide. We help Canadians with asbestosis and other asbestos-related diseases recover maximum compensation through asbestos trust funds.
A large number of asbestos products used across Canada, including insulation, boilers, and vinyl floor tiles, were originally manufactured by U.S. companies that later went out of business. As part of their bankruptcy process, many of these companies created trust funds to compensate individuals who were harmed by their products.
For most workers, it can be difficult to remember exactly what materials were present on job sites decades ago. That is where our team at Miskin Law can help. We have built a detailed database of asbestos-containing materials used at industrial and commercial locations across Canada.
You do not need to have handled asbestos directly to be eligible. For example, if you worked as a millwright in a pulp mill and were regularly near asbestos-insulated equipment, you may still qualify. We use your work history and job site information to identify which manufacturers were responsible and file claims with the appropriate asbestos trusts.
If you have been diagnosed with asbestosis or another asbestos-related illness, contact us to find out if you are eligible for compensation.
About Daniel J. Miskin
Daniel J. Miskin works on asbestos, mesothelioma, and class action cases. His passion for earning justice and compensation and proven track record have earned him trust and a sterling reputation amongst his clients.
Contact
Peterborough: 705-755-7363 ext. 2
Toll Free: 1-877-428-8000 ext. 2