Mesothelioma UK and Irwin Mitchell Hosted The Kent Event Into Asbestos Related Deaths
Health professionals, legal experts, and family members of those who lost their lives to an asbestos-related death all came together for an event into pathology and inquests in asbestos-related deaths at Bridgewood Manor, Walderslade Woods, Chatham, Kent.
The event, which was held by Mesothelioma UK and Irwin Mitchell, gave attendees the opportunity to learn more about the current process, its effect on family members and learning points for improving.
With talks ranging from clinical investigations and the relevance from a medico-legal perspective, to the role of the Coroner and the use of evidence from post-mortems in legal claims, attendees were given a broad and thorough analysis.
On top of this, family members of those who died due to asbestos gave their accounts of the illness they saw their loved one battle with. They also spoke about their own experiences through the legal pathway to securing justice for their loved one.
One of those who spoke at the event about losing a loved one was Clair York whose husband, Brian, passed away in December 2015 due to mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lungs.
Clair, who was represented by Irwin Mitchell in her legal action to get justice for Brian’s death, said: “Events like this are so important because they bring together all the different professions that are involved in asbestos-related deaths cases.
“Brian’s death was devastating, however going down the legal route and getting justice for his death meant a lot to me and the family. It really helped us as a family come to terms with what has happened and that’s all we ever wanted.”
Ian Bailey, a partner at Irwin Mitchell and the expert asbestos-related death lawyer who spoke at the opening of the event, said:
Expert Opinion
“Over 2,500 people are dying from mesothelioma, and other asbestos-related diseases, every year in the UK, the majority due to the negligence of their employers’ decades ago.
“At Irwin Mitchell we regularly work with sufferers of asbestos-related diseases, and their families. That is why we have been long term supporters of charities like Mesothelioma UK, making sure that we are part of the longer term process of improving experiences for families who are affected by asbestos disease”
“By bringing together healthcare professionals, legal experts and relatives of those who have sadly passed away because of asbestos exposure, we hope to improve everyone’s understanding of the process. We hope that we can find areas to improve the current process.” Ian Bailey - Partner
Irwin Mitchell has the largest dedicated Asbestos Disease Litigation Team in the UK. The firm has represented several thousand asbestos disease victims and their families and provides administrative support, free of charge, for several charities.
Lorraine Creech, a specialist nurse at Mesothelioma UK, said: “As a charity, we are dedicated to providing free specialist information, support, and improved care and treatment of mesothelioma sufferers. However, the support of those suffering from the illness also includes their families and events such as this help to improve understanding amongst all of those affected.”