Thompsons Solicitors has pledged to work with 12 other law firms to support a new campaign, #ActionMeso, which aims to raise awareness of the dangers of asbestos and mesothelioma, a cancer caused almost exclusively by exposure to it.
The UK has the world’s highest incidence of mesothelioma with approximately 2,700 people each year being diagnosed, often decades after exposure to asbestos.
ActionMeso brings together patients, carers, charities, support groups, healthcare professionals, law firms, and many other organisations under the same umbrella to make the public aware that asbestos remains a problem in the UK which must be addressed.
For the first time, 13 law firms have come together to support the #ActionMeso campaign by raising awareness of mesothelioma and asbestos, and helping to develop future campaigns and projects.
It is often mistakenly thought that, because asbestos is banned in this country, it is no longer a problem. However, it is still prevalent within many buildings, especially primary and secondary schools, colleges and hospitals.
Asbestos is still devastating families, even decades after people were last exposed, and we see this every day with our clients.Tony Hood, head of asbestos strategy
Tony Hood, head of asbestos strategy at Thompsons Solicitors, said: “Asbestos is still devastating families, even decades after people were last exposed, and we see this every day with our clients.
“Asbestos is still present in many houses and public buildings. It’s vital people are aware of its dangers so that future generations aren’t exposed to the same risks. We want to try and stop history repeating itself.
“We work so closely with our clients and their families that making sure they have the best support becomes personal as well as professional. It’s a privilege to be involved in such a campaign and we’re looking forward to sharing our knowledge and learning from others to provide the best service possible to those whose lives have been affected by asbestos.”
ActionMeso has planned a series of activities to raise awareness of mesothelioma and the dangers of asbestos under the hashtag #ActionMeso.
The ActionMeso awareness campaigns will lead to two major events, Action Mesothelioma Days (AMD) in 2021 and 2022, which aim to capture the public’s imagination and reach a significant number of people outside of the mesothelioma community.
As a starting point, ActionMeso is inviting the public to subscribe to the website www.actionmeso.org where new information will be posted regularly, and to follow the campaign on social media.
Thompsons is one of the leading British asbestos solicitors firms and paved the way for asbestos litigation in the UK, bringing about the first successful asbestos disease claim to the House of Lords in 1972. As a point of principle, Thompsons Solicitors only represents workers and their families who have developed asbestos diseases and never acts for employers, defendants or insurance companies.
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.