Personal Injury: Mainly Claimant: Industrial Disease

Leading Experts in Asbestos and Occupational Disease Law

Irwin Mitchell is at the forefront of asbestos and occupational disease litigation, combining legal expertise, research, and advocacy to deliver justice and drive change.

We are one of the largest and longest-established teams of asbestos, mesothelioma, and industrial disease lawyers in Great Britain, with offices nationwide including Glasgow, Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, Leeds, Birmingham, Sheffield, London, and more.

Our lawyers are members of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL), with many accredited as asbestos and/or occupational disease specialists—more than any other UK firm. Three retired partners have served as APIL Presidents, and Partner Gerry Coombs now coordinates APIL’s Occupational Health group, representing 800 members.

This year saw strong growth across the team, including two new partners, three Legal Directors, and several Senior Associate promotions, alongside a Senior Associate joining from Thompsons.

Our 2025 research identified over 4,500 public buildings across 20 UK councils still containing asbestos, with schools most affected. National estimates suggest around 87,000 buildings. This work has supported calls for a central asbestos register and our wider campaigning.

Over the past year, we have recovered more than £54 million in compensation. We also collaborated with BBC Radio 4 on Assume Nothing – Killer Dust, shortlisted for the British Podcast Awards 2025.