Action Mesothelioma Day

Britain Must Not Forget Industrial Illness Victims

Industrial disease victims and their families must not be forgotten as post-recession Britain tightens its purse strings, a leading lawyer has warned.

As the Government prepares the nation for widespread spending cuts, Roger Maddocks, partner and industrial illness specialist at national law firm Irwin Mitchell, said support must continue for the ever-increasing numbers of people affected by diseases such as Mesothelioma, caused by exposure to asbestos.

And he backed Action Mesothelioma Day, taking place across the UK on Friday, July 2nd, to raise awareness of the devastating impact that the fatal disease has on its victims and their loved ones.

Roger Maddocks said: "The numbers of people dying of Mesothelioma annually is in the thousands and increasing all the time – although it is expected to peak around 2015, the effects will be felt for many years after that.

"Action Mesothelioma Day sees awareness-raising events taking place throughout the UK and is a powerful and poignant demonstration of the sheer number of lives that are torn apart by this disease."

Earlier this year, the Government said it would consider proposals to set up a National Centre for Asbestos-Related Research (NCARD) – and Maddocks said he hoped these plans were still in the pipeline.

He said: "We need measures of support, such as the NCARD, to be put into place to help alleviate the suffering of the thousands of current Mesothelioma sufferers, along with those who are yet to be diagnosed.

"Rescuing the economy has, of course, to be the Government's number one priority at the moment but we hope these plans, which could help to make a huge difference to many lives, are still allowed to come to fruition.

"We already face a daily battle to achieve justice for the victims of Mesothelioma and other industrial conditions. We can never bring loved ones back, nor numb the pain that their families must feel, but we can provide them with a crumb of comfort."

Events to mark Action Mesothelioma Day are taking place throughout the country – visit www.mesothelioma.uk.com for more information.