NASAG, the Northeast Asbestos Support & Awareness Group, has recovered over £1 million in compensation claims for victims of asbestos related diseases (ARDs) in the North East area, with many more cases still to be settled.

Set up in 2002 and now a registered charity, this not-for-profit group - run by Frank Gray and a team of volunteers - offers free support and advice to people who suffer from Asbestos Related Diseases.  NASAG supports sufferers of asbestos-related diseases such as pleural plaques, pleural thickening, asbestosis and mesothelioma and helps them to claim their due entitlements.

The North East area was badly affected by asbestos

"The amount of compensation that we have helped to recover is a reflection on how badly the North East area has been affected by asbestos.  But this is just scratching the surface as mesothelioma is now reaching epidemic proportions," explains Frank Gray from NASAG.  "Each year, more people die of asbestos related diseases than in road traffic accidents."

"NASAG is encouraging people who have been diagnosed with any asbestos related disease, and their families, to come forward for support. The services we provide are entirely free, and we only use solicitors with unrivalled experience in asbestos claims who charge the client nothing, win or lose."

Diagnosed with mesothelioma

One of the recent compensation cases is a claim for a victim of mesothelioma. James Dorgan, from Cleveland, worked as a maintenance fitter for ICI from 1952 to 1984. On a daily basis Mr Dorgan cleaned and stripped down tanks that were coated in asbestos.  It was not until December 2004 that he fell ill and was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma.  His case was settled during his lifetime. 

 Ian McFall, national head of asbestos litigation for Thompsons Solicitors, the law firm that specialises in representing many of the victims in the recent cases, said: "NASAG has delivered a valuable service to the people who have come forward for help.  My specialist team are proud to assist in recovering over £1m for the clients NASAG has asked us to represent."

Dr Mark Britton, Chairman of the British Lung Foundation (BLF) comments: "The support provided by groups such as NASAG is essential to raising the general public's awareness of asbestos related diseases.  Over 1,800 people die each year from mesothelioma and this number will continue to rise until around 2015."

Dr Richard Harrison, a consultant physician in North Tees comments: "This is important news for those in the North East who are concerned about the potential impact on their health of previous asbestos exposure."

Notes for editors

For further information on NASAG visit www.nasag.org.uk or contact Frank Gray on 01642 240044.