Over 2,500 people diagnosed with mesothelioma every year in the UK
Thompsons Solicitors will be attending and supporting a number of events across the country to help raise awareness about an asbestos related cancer on Action Mesothelioma Day (Friday, July 6).
The day will help to raise awareness about Mesothelioma, a devastating disease which over 2,500 people are diagnosed with every year in the UK. There is no cure for the cancer and many are given just 12 months to live.
Mesothelioma is caused by asbestos and many who are diagnosed were exposed decades ago whilst at work.
Mesothelioma is often associated with shipbuilding and manufacturing industry but also affects those exposed to asbestos present in public sector work places including schools, hospitals and other buildings.
Events will help many to understand more about the disease
Ian McFall head of asbestos policy at Thompsons Solicitors said the events being held around the country will help many to understand more about the disease. He said: ”Official statistics show that tens of thousands of people will be diagnosed with mesothelioma in the future. Whilst the legacy of industry is likely to continue to produce a heavy burden of asbestos disease from exposure in the past it will also affect many others who were exposed to asbestos in schools, offices and other buildings where asbestos was present in ceiling tiles, partition walls and pipe work insulation.
“Thompsons works closely with trade unions and asbestos victim support groups to raise awareness about this disease, highlighting current risks of asbestos exposure, developments in treatment and compensation. Action Mesothelioma day is an opportunity to focus minds on a disease which is too often overlooked despite it’s tragic consequences and wide reach.”
Thompsons Solicitors are leading experts in mesothelioma compensation for victims of asbestos related disease and have represented families in high profile test cases.
With backing from the trade union Unite Thompsons was successful in an appeal to the Supreme Court earlier this year, known as the trigger test case, which protected the right to compensation for thousands of mesothelioma sufferers and their families by ruling that employer’s liability insurance is triggered by the exposure to asbestos in the workplace and not by the development of mesothelioma many decades later when no insurance exists.
Local Events on Action Mesothelioma Day
Some of the events being attended by Thompsons Solicitors’ on Friday, July 6, include:
• The Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund memorial service in St Nicholas Cathedral, Newcastle Upon Tyne. There will be a Tree of Hope where people are encouraged to leave messages for those who have lost their lives to asbestos related diseases. For more information contact 0191 263 7386.
• A memorial service will be held at St Martin’s Cathedral, Leicester, organised by Derbyshire Asbestos Support Team (DAST) and Mesothelioma UK. It will begin at 3.30pm and will be followed by a dove release. Contact DAST on 01246 380 415 or Mesothelioma UK on 0800 169 2409 for more information.
• Asbestos Support West Midlands will be hosting an event in Birmingham Council House Chamber from 11am. A public meeting will be followed by a dove release at 12.30pm in Birmingham’s Chamberlain Square. For more information contact 0121 678 8883.
• A dove launch held by London Hazards Centre at Stratford Town Hall, Newham from midday. For more details contact Tel: 020 7794 5999 or email: mail@lhc.org.uk
• A meeting will be held by Sheffield and Rotherham Asbestos Victim Support Group from 11am until 1pm at the Memorial Hall, Sheffield City Hall, Sheffield. For more information contact 01709 360 672.
• Merseyside Asbestos Victims Support and Cheshire Asbestos Victims Support will host a joint event at Liverpool Town Hall from 11am. For more details contact 0151 236 1895.
• A dove launch will be held by Greater Manchester Asbestos Victims Support Group at 12.30pm at Lincoln Square, Manchester. This will be followed by a public meeting in Manchester Town Hall at 1pm. For more information contact 0161 636 7555
• Cumbria Asbestos Related Disease Support will be hosting an event at Furness College, Barrow-in-Furness from 2pm to 4pm.
Asbestos disease diagnosis? Talk to us for advice and support on how to secure compensation.
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, we can support you with advice on how to make a claim.
The process will be explained in plain English and with no obligation – our priority is to provide you with the best, expert advice on whether you have a valid case for compensation, and to signpost you to further sources of support.
There are strict time limits applied to making a claim – usually three years from the date of diagnosis. It doesn’t matter if the exposure to asbestos took place – as it often does – decades ago, the three year time limit applies to the date of knowledge of diagnosis or date of death.
For further information, visit our How to Make A Compensation Claim page.