Events Organised On First Friday Of July Each Year To Help Raise Awareness Of Deadly Disease

Manchester-based asbestos-related disease lawyers at national law firm Irwin Mitchell are supporting calls for improved asbestos management on Action Mesothelioma Day as the deadly material continues to pose health risks to employees.

The latest Health and Safety Executive (HSE) statistics, released this week, reveal there were 2,542 mesothelioma deaths due to historic asbestos exposure in 2015 alone, an increase on the 2,515 recorded mesothelioma deaths in 2014.

According to the health watchdog, the latest projections suggest that there will continue to be around 2,500 deaths per year for the rest of this current decade before annual numbers begin to decline from 2020.

Action Mesothelioma 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.

Geraldine Coombs, a partner and expert industrial disease lawyer at Irwin Mitchell’s Manchester office will be attending an event organised by the Merseyside Asbestos Victim Support Group on Friday. Doves will be released in memory of victims before public figures and health specialists, including Steve Rotheram, the first Metro Mayor for the Liverpool City Region, pay tribute.

Two of Geraldine’s team in Manchester, Katrina London, senior associate solicitor, and Edward Joy, solicitor, will be showing their support for Action Mesothelioma Day by attending an event in Manchester.

Organised by the Greater Manchester Asbestos Victims Support Group, the event will take place at Sackville Gardens on Friday. Following a dove release, there will be a public meeting hosted by Professor Sir Anthony Newman-Taylor, Chair of the National Mesothelioma Research Centre at the Mechanics Institute.

Geraldine said: 

Expert Opinion

“Asbestos was used widely in industry and the building trade for many years. Tragically, although employers ought to have known of the dangers it posed to their staff, too often they failed to implement safety measures and warnings to protect workers from inhaling the toxic substance.

“It is not just people who worked directly with asbestos insulation or asbestos materials who are affected. People who had indirect exposure to asbestos dust through breathing in dust created by others working alongside them are also affected. There has also been 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.” Geraldine Coombs - Partner

Specialist asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell are campaigning for increased monitoring and management of asbestos in public buildings especially schools. The deadly substance, once dubbed ‘the magic mineral’ continues to pose a risk for new generations.

Geraldine added: 

Expert Opinion

“Asbestos is still to be found in public buildings such as hospitals, schools and offices. That is why it is vital, to ensure public safety, that better monitoring programmes are in place and, ultimately, hazardous material is removed altogether.

“We hope that, by supporting Action Mesothelioma Day annually, we will help to raise awareness of the ongoing risks of asbestos and encourage employers and Government to take action to prevent future suffering.” Geraldine Coombs - Partner

If you or a loved one has been affected by an asbestos related illness, our solicitors can help you to claim compensation. See our Asbestos Claims page for more information.