Ian McFall looks at mesothelioma: the biggest cause of work related deaths in the UK
As Action Mesothelioma Day approaches (04 July 2014), we remember the thousands of people who have lost their lives to the asbestos related cancer.
The import and use of asbestos has been banned in the UK since 1985, yet remains the single greatest cause of work-related death. Tragically the number of people expected to die from mesothelioma is still yet to peak. Symptoms of mesothelioma can take up to 40 years or more to appear after the inhalation of asbestos. Patients being diagnosed now may have been exposed to asbestos as long ago as during the 1950s.
The World Health Organisation revealed that the UK has the highest incidence of mesothelioma per head of population anywhere in the world. But most shocking of all is that the Health & Safety Executive estimate over 90,000 people will die from this disease by 2050 and that around 60,000 of those deaths have yet to occur.
At Thompsons, we have long campaigned to raise awareness of mesothelioma and the dangers of asbestos. We fought the first ever successful case in the UK for asbestos disease to the House of Lords.
Today, we continue to campaign on behalf of mesothelioma victims.
We are proud to have acted for thousands of families affected by this 'silent killer', securing substantial levels of compensation, and always doing so with the upmost empathy and compassion.
Watch this short video to find out more about how we help individuals, and the families of those, who have been exposed to asbestos.
On Action Mesothelioma Day, solicitors from Thompsons will remember the thousands of people who have lost their lives to the asbestos-related cancer at events across the UK.
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.
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