In the past few years reports of settlements relating to asbestosinduced disease have increased in frequency, and the sums of money awarded have become quite considerable. Once the possible diagnosis of an asbestos-related disease is suggested therefore, the patient wants to know whether he is eligible for compensation and the correct way of obtaining it. The purpose of this paper is to give the clinician some basic facts about compensation so that he can advise his patient correctly. It is of

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... aramount importance, both from the clinical and the medicolegal point of view, that the term asbestosis should not be used to cover the whole spectrum of asbestos-related diseases. Asbestosis should refer solely to fibrosis of the lung. Owing to misuse of this term in the past, much misunderstanding has been caused between doctor and patient and between members of the medical profession. The manifestations of asbestos exposure (table) are well reviewed in an article by Becklake.