Expert Industrial Disease Lawyers Back Action Mesothelioma Day

Expert asbestos-related disease lawyers at national law firm Irwin Mitchell, which helps hundreds of people affected by mesothelioma every year, has backed Action Mesothelioma Day, which takes place on Friday 1 July.

The national awareness day aims to bring together victims of the disease, those who have loved ones affected by the disease, healthcare professionals, support groups and those working to understand the disease and find a cure, to ensure the public are aware of the terrible impact it can have on sufferers and their carers.

Mesothelioma is an aggressive, and sadly terminal, form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos, often decades before victims begin to suffer with symptoms. According to the latest statistics from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) more than 2,500 people in the UK lose their lives to the disease every year.

It is most commonly associated with heavy industry and the building trade and the vast majority of deaths from mesothelioma are in people over the age of 65. It is predicted that mesothelioma deaths will continue to rise every year before reaching a peak in about 2020.

Adrian Budgen, the national head of the asbestos-related disease team at Irwin Mitchell, said:

Expert Opinion

“Asbestos was commonly used in industry and the building trade for many years and, tragically, although employers ought to have known of the dangers it posed to the health of their staff, they did not implement safety measures and warnings to protect them from inhaling the toxic substance.

“As a result of past failures, more than 2,500 people die in the UK every year from mesothelioma. According to the latest figures, this awful disease is not going away and we are expecting the number of people diagnosed with it to increase in the coming years. That is why we support Action Mesothelioma Day, with the aim of ensuring that this horrendous disease, which causes untold suffering for thousands of victims and their families every year, does not slip out of the public consciousness.” Adrian Budgen - Partner

In recent years, the profile of mesothelioma victims has begun to shift, with more and more people being diagnosed with the disease following low-level or take-home exposure, and a rise in the number of people affected by the presence of asbestos in public buildings, such as schools, local government offices, hospitals and universities.

Specialist asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell are campaigning for improvements in the way the HMRC handles claims relating to asbestos-related diseases, as well as calling for increased monitoring and management of asbestos in public buildings. The deadly substance, once dubbed ‘the magic mineral’ continues to pose a risk for a new generation of workers and it is important this danger is removed from the workplace.

Expert Opinion

“It is absolutely crucial further steps are taken to ensure public buildings are safe for employees. This means the implementation of clear monitoring programmes and, ultimately, the eventual removal of the hazardous material, which over time can begin to pose a danger to those working in these premises.

“A full risk register is now needed for public buildings across the country so that the safe removal of harmful asbestos can be carried out, and a stringent monitoring programme can be put in place.

“We hope that, by supporting Action Mesothelioma Day annually, we will help to raise awareness of the dangers of asbestos and mesothelioma, as well as encouraging employers and the government to take action to prevent future suffering.” Adrian Budgen - Partner

Our expert mesothelioma claims team will provide you with free initial advice on your compensation claim if you or a loved on has been diagnosed with mesothelioma caused by asbestos exposure. See our Asbestos-Related Disease Claims Guide for more information.