Identifying your employer is the starting point and making contact with them or more importantly, their insurance company.
Getting a chronology of your work history – Quite often asbestos disease claimants have been exposed to asbestos whilst working for a number of companies, as people moved to other similar jobs either out of necessity (being made redundant) or to earn a bit more money at another company. HMRC keep employment history records going back many years and their assistance is often valuable in this respect.
Witness statements – getting in touch with your former work colleagues. Former work colleagues are often able to testify to the fact that you worked with them and over what period, that you worked in an environment where you were exposed to asbestos, the extent to which you were exposed and to provide corroboration of your own statement. Specialist asbestos disease solicitors often work with the local press in a given area to get a press release published, appealing for former work colleagues to get in touch, for this very purpose.