Injury lawyer details for Nicola Handley

About Nicola Handley

I have over 20 years of legal experience supporting clients with my colleagues at Irwin Mitchell following a life changing diagnosis of an asbestos related or work-related cancer and other respiratory diseases in the Yorkshire and Humberside region.

I am a specialist mesothelioma lawyer having had a focus on this disease for the past 10 years.

Irwin Mitchell is also a national firm and I have experience of working with colleagues from Glasgow to Southampton to resolve claims including support from other teams including Employment, Estate planning and our Client Support Managers who have specialist clinical experience.

I have successfully represented clients who have had occupational, environmental, and secondary exposure to asbestos and my technical skills and attention to detail ensure complex cases are hard fought and won. 

I have represented people who have worked in different trades including plumbers, builders, electricians, joiners, laggers, demolition workers and many more.

I have also brought claims for people who have been exposed to asbestos as a result of washing or being in close proximity to family members overalls which have been contaminated with asbestos.

More recently, I have supported many clients who have had environmental exposure including pupils, teachers, caretakers, nurses, and healthcare employees.

I have also successfully won claims for clients diagnosed with Silicosis, asthma, and other occupational lung diseases.

I have recovered more than £2 million in damages for Claimants in a year and over £1 million in damages solely for private treatment not available on the NHS for clients following a mesothelioma diagnosis.

I will also always support my clients through the private treatment process and have been innovative in creating flexible payment mechanisms with private healthcare providers and Defendants.   

I have been recognised by clients for my expert hand and human touch and regularly receive positive client feedback and examples are provided below:

“Without Nicola’s support I think I’d have just given up, which I did say to her many times I’d like to. She was a fighter and told me to keep going, which we did. Her support has been tremendous.”

“I approached Irwin Mitchell when I was diagnosed with Mesothelioma and advised to make a claim to former employers. I didn't think there was the slightest chance of being successful but from the very start when I was visited by Nicola Handley who took my case on I knew I was in very capable hands.  It took 14 months and I didn't think I would still be alive but I am and the claim was successful because Nicola left no stone unturned. Aided and abetted by Abigail. I was also given the benefit of a will and counselling too. You couldn't really fault this firm. I would urge anyone who found themselves in the same awful situation that I found myself in to contact Irwin Mitchell they won't let you down and you will be very very fortunate if you get Nicola Handley.”

I am also a Trustee for Lung Cancer Nursing UK and I am passionate about supporting the NHS workforce particularly in these challenging times and regularly provide free educational sessions and support to nurses in my spare time.

I also regularly fundraise for various national charities including Macmillan, Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, Maggies, Mesothelioma UK and the June Hancock Mesothelioma Research Fund and continuously raise awareness of occupational lung disease and support free information events for patients.