HHD Takes ‘Action On Mesothelioma’ – Friday 3rd July 2020

Today is Action Mesothelioma Day – the annual awareness day with events held throughout the UK highlighting this aggressive disease.

According to the National Centre for Mesothelioma Research, “Mesothelioma is a cancer that most commonly affects the lining of the lung (pleural mesothelioma), and in rarer cases the lining of the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma).  It is caused in the vast majority of cases by past asbestos exposure.  The cancer is aggressive, often producing great pain in the victim.  It responds poorly to all therapies, including surgery, and the average survival from diagnosis is less than a year.”  “The UK has the highest incidence of mesothelioma in the world.  This aggressive form of cancer results in 2,500 deaths a year in the UK, and it is estimated that there will be 50,000 to 60,000 new cases by 2050.”

At HHD Solicitors we are aware that our clients have been exposed to asbestos dust in the course of their work, such as working in Harland & Wolff Shipyard, as fitters, joiners or asbestos laggers.  Our clients also include those who have worked as joiners, maintenance fitters, and building contractors working for example on public buildings such as hospitals, nursing homes and schools.  Often there is incidental exposure for example in boiler houses where asbestos lagging on pipes and boilers has become broken and gives off asbestos dust.  When exposed to this asbestos dust, tiny fibres which have become airborne are easily inhaled and subsequently often decades later our clients are then being diagnosed with mesothelioma.

Unfortunately we also have clients who were exposed to asbestos dust in their homes when a husband or father or brother travelled home from work with the asbestos dust on his clothing.  This is known as secondary or domestic exposure to asbestos.  Often it would occur when a wife or indeed the children of workers would have come into contact with the man or his clothing on their return home from work.  Usually these workers had no opportunity to change their work clothes or shower before they headed home; hence, their clothing, hair and body were often covered with dust when they arrived at the family home.  Often it was the women who would have undertaken the tasks of washing and laundering the work clothes.  Some did this on a nightly basis and in the process having shaken the dust from the clothes, the tiny fibres would become air borne and the wife or other family members would have inhaled the dust.  Often the housewife or other family member would be diagnosed with an asbestos disease including mesothelioma decades later.

This year, in these unusual times, virtual events are being held throughout the UK to highlight the ongoing need for general public awareness of mesothelioma and also to assist in the funding for further medical research into mesothelioma.

Michael Hollywood, Partner, at HHD Solicitorsexpert in asbestos shipyard claims in Belfast who heads our asbestos team specialising in asbestos related claims including Pleural Plaques, Pleural Thickening, Asbestosis and Mesothelioma daily pursues the former employers such as Harland & Wolff, large building construction firms, various Health Trusts and Education and Library Boards who in the past have exposed their employees to asbestos dust. He relies on the very best of medical expertise in assisting in preparation of cases to recover compensation for these asbestos diseases.

Sadly, he regularly acts on behalf of the widows and family of men who have died as a result of mesothelioma and in these cases he prepares a financial claim on behalf of the widow due to the loss of her husband, together with a claim for compensation for the actual mesothelioma itself.  In preparing this type of case he also engages the services of expert Forensic Accountants and expert Care Consultants.

In 2019 HHD Solicitors have settled claims including a Belfast Widower’s Asbestos Claim for £350,000 https://www.hhdsolicitors.com/belfast-widowers-asbestos-claim-settled-for-35000   and also a Surviving Mesothelioma Claim for £425,000 https://www.hhdsolicitors.com/surviving-mesothelioma-claim-settled-for-425000

If you or a loved one have suffered from any asbestos related conditions, please get in touch with Michael Hollywood on 028 9077 0770 or email michaelhollywood@hhdsolicitors.com