Asbestos victim: how to receive compensation from Fiva?

Verified 27 February 2026 - Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

If you suffer from an illness caused by exposure to asbestos, or if one of your relatives (parents, children, spouse, partner, etc.) has died as a result of exposure to asbestos, you can claim compensation from the Asbestos Compensation Fund (Fiva). This body is responsible for reviewing cases and awarding compensation. We present you the information to know.

You can be compensated by the Fiva: titleContent if you are in one of the following 3 situations:

  • You have been exposed to asbestos in the workplace and you suffer from a disease related to this exposure (disease recognized of professional origin or not)
  • You have been exposed to asbestos outside the workplace and you have a disease related to this exposure
  • You are the person entitled of a person who has died as a result of an illness caused by exposure to asbestos

The procedure for making an application differs depending on your status: direct victim or right holder of the victim.

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You're a direct victim

The request can be made online or by post.

It must be made within a period of 10 years from the date of 1er medical certificate establishing the link between the disease and exposure to asbestos.

Online application

You can apply online from the website of Fiva: titleContent.

Fiva - Claim for compensation - Victim or beneficiary

Request by post

You must complete a form with supporting documents. They depend on your situation (example: a medical certificate).

Fiva - Claim for compensation by the victim (form)

Your file must be sent directly to Fiva: titleContent.

Who shall I contact

Warning  

Your application will not be admissible if you are in one of the following cases:

  • Your folder is stapled (prefer paper clips)
  • One of the supporting documents is illegible
  • Copies of documents (e.g. ID card, RIB) are on the same page

You are a beneficiary of the victim

The request can be made online or by post.

It must be carried out within 10 years from the date of 1er medical certificate to link death to exposure to asbestos.

Online application

You can apply online from the website of Fiva: titleContent :

Request by post

You must fill out a form with supporting documents that depend on your situation and the harm suffered by the direct victim. All these documents are specified in the application form:

Fiva - Claim for compensation - Beneficiary

The file must be sent to Fiva: titleContent by post.

Who shall I contact

The supporting documents to be provided are specified as the online process progresses.

Warning  

Your application will not be admissible if you are in one of the following cases:

  • Your folder is stapled (prefer paper clips)
  • One of the supporting documents is illegible
  • Copies of documents (e.g. identity card, RIB, etc.) are on the same page

Within 15 days of receipt of your request, the Fiva: titleContent send you a letter acknowledging receipt of your request.

With this letter, this organization tells you if the file is admissible or not.

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Your file is admissible

If your file is admissible, the Fiva: titleContent tells you when they can make a compensation proposal.

Wait times will be shorter if the health insurance has already reviewed your file and decided that your health condition requires compensation.

Right to compensation already recognized by a social security organization

The Fiva: titleContent investigate whether you meet the conditions for compensation. If this is the case, it will send you an offer of compensation within 6 months from the receipt of your request.

You must reply by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt.

If you accept the offer of Fiva: titleContent, you must pass the acceptance receipt attached to the compensation offer and a bank identity statement.

You will receive the funds in the 2 months according to your answer.

FYI  

In the event of an occupational disease or if it is a disease whose finding is a justification for exposure to asbestos, it is possible to request a provision without waiting for the Fiva's response.

In the event of acceptance of the offer, you waive your right to seek compensation from the courts. In addition, new claims for compensation from the Fiva: titleContent are inadmissible unless your disease worsens or a new disease develops due to exposure.

FYI  

Rights holders must go through a notary to accept the offer of compensation for the sums that should have been paid to their deceased relative.

Who shall I contact

Right to compensation not yet recognized by a social security organization

In the event that your right to compensation has not been recognized by a social security body, the Fiva: titleContent automatically forwards an application for recognition of an occupational disease to the Health Insurance.

It may also:

  • Ask you to fill out and attach a questionnaire on the circumstances of asbestos exposure (unless it is already in your file)
  • Request additional supporting documents
  • Ask you to submit to medical expertise.

If he or she considers that you meet the requirements, the Fiva: titleContent send you an offer of compensation.

You must reply by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt.

If you accept the compensation offer of Fiva: titleContent, you must pass the acceptance receipt attached to the compensation offer and a bank identity statement.

You will receive the funds in the 2 months according to your answer.

In the event of acceptance of the offer, you waive your right to seek compensation from the courts. In addition, new claims to Fiva are inadmissible unless your illness worsens.

FYI  

Rights holders must go through a notary to accept the offer of compensation for the sums that should have been paid to their deceased relative.

Who shall I contact

Your file is not admissible

If the Fiva: titleContent considers that your file is not admissible, it specifies the missing documents in the acknowledgement letter. You must provide them with these documents in order for the claim to be considered.

The amount of compensation shall be determined by Fiva: titleContent on the basis of a scale drawn up by that body.

This scale is scalable and provides for different compensation depending on the damage suffered by the direct victim or his beneficiaries.

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Damages compensated to the direct victim

The Fiva: titleContent compensates for the so-called damage economic, namely:

  • Loss of earnings (loss of salary)
  • Medical expenses remaining at the expense of the victim
  • Additional costs (e.g. fitting out of the vehicle or accommodation) to be borne by the victim. To obtain compensation, you must present supporting documents (medical certificate, invoices, etc.)

In addition, the compensation covers the so-called damages personal depending on the severity of your illness and your age. These damages are as follows:

  • Physical harm (e.g. physical pain)
  • Damage to approval (consequences of the disease on a sporting or leisure activity)
  • Aesthetic damage (example: a scar)
  • Pain and suffering (psychological consequences of the disease)
  • Functional incapacity

Compensation is paid, by bank transfer, quarterly or annually.

FYI  

Compensation paid by the Fiva: titleContent are not taxable.

Damages compensated to the person entitled

The Fiva: titleContent compensates the damage suffered by your loved one before his death:

  • Physical harm (e.g. physical pain)
  • Damage to approval (consequences of the disease on a sporting or leisure activity)
  • Aesthetic damage (example: a scar)
  • Pain and suffering (psychological consequences of the disease)
  • Functional incapacity
  • Medical expenses

Within 2 months of accepting the offer of compensation, the amount is paid into your notary's account. On the day of the succession, it is up to him to pay you the compensation to which you are entitled.

You can also receive compensation for:

  • Funeral expenses
  • Moral harm (e.g. emotional pain due to death)
  • Economic harm (e.g. loss of household income due to death)

FYI  

Compensation paid by the Fiva: titleContent are not taxable.

If you have been compensated by the Fiva: titleContent and if your health worsens (or a new asbestos-related illness appears), you can make a new claim for compensation.

This request must be made within 10 years from:

  • the date of 1er medical certificate stating the worsening of the disease (in case of worsening)
  • the date of 1er medical certificate to make the link between exposure to asbestos and disease (in case of new disease).

The procedure can be done online or by post.

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Online application

You can apply online from the website ofFiva: titleContent.

The supporting documents to be provided are specified as the online process progresses.

Request by post

You must fill out a form accompanied by supporting documents that depend on your situation (example: a medical certificate). All these documents are specified in the application form:

Fiva - Claim for compensation - Aggravation of the victim's health

The file must be sent by post to Fiva: titleContent.

Who shall I contact

Warning  

Your application will not be admissible if you are in one of the following cases:

  • Your folder is stapled (prefer paper clips)
  • One of the supporting documents is illegible
  • Copies of documents (e.g. ID card, RIB) are on the same page

The amount of your compensation may be increased if the Fiva: titleContent Considers that the harm you have suffered justifies it.

The decision of the Fiva: titleContent can be challenged if you are in any of the following cases:

  • You feel that the offer of compensation is insufficient in relation to the damage suffered
  • The Fiva has refused your request for compensation (explicit decision to refuse)
  • Fiva has not replied to you within 6 months (implicit refusal decision)

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Dispute the offer of compensation

If you are not satisfied with the offer of compensation, the dispute must be made within 2 months from the notification of the decision.

Your appeal must indicate your surname, first name and postal address and specify the purpose of your request.

It must be handed over in writing, in duplicate, to the court of appeal competent for your domicile. If you do not live in France, the dispute must be transmitted to the Paris Court of Appeal.

Who shall I contact

FYI  

In front of the Court of Appeal, you can be assisted by a lawyer.

Who shall I contact

Challenge the explicit refusal decision

In the event of an explicit refusal decision, the challenge must be made within 2 months after the notification of the decision.

Your appeal must indicate your surname, first name and postal address and specify the purpose of your request.

It must be handed over in writing, in duplicate, to the court of appeal competent for your domicile. If you do not live in France, the dispute must be transmitted to the Paris Court of Appeal.

Who shall I contact

FYI  

In front of the Court of Appeal, you can be assisted by a lawyer.

Who shall I contact

Challenge the implied refusal decision

In the event of an implicit refusal decision, the challenge must be made in the 2 months following the end of the period within which the Fiva: titleContent should have responded to you (6 months after acknowledgement).

Your appeal must indicate your surname, first name and postal address and specify the purpose of your request.

It must be handed over in writing, in duplicate, to the court of appeal competent for your domicile. If you do not live in France, the dispute must be transmitted to the Paris Court of Appeal.

Who shall I contact

FYI  

In front of the Court of Appeal, you can be assisted by a lawyer.

Who shall I contact

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