Action Mesothelioma Day 2021

Legally reviewed by: LLB (Hons) & LPC Stacy Pimlott Updated: February 7, 2022In: Industrial Disease

Here at AWH Solicitors, we are joining our fellow legal firms in raising awareness of asbestos cancer on Action Mesothelioma Day 2021.

#ActionMeso intends to ‘bring together the mesothelioma community with one voice’ via a virtual event today, on the 2^nd July. The event is hosted by broadcaster, academic and peritoneal mesothelioma patient, Kate Williams, and is a national virtual event that includes panel discussions, clinical trial updates and interesting facts and insights for anyone new to mesothelioma. It also aims to promote the Mesothelioma Patient Charter to healthcare providers, government and employers, in the hope that more patients can be supported after a diagnosis. Our specialist Industrial Disease solicitor Nimish Patel has commented that:

‘Mesothelioma is a silent and deadly disease as it can lie dormant in a body for over thirty years without any indication. We have had Claimants who have been fit and healthy until they start feeling breathless and then sadly passed away within six months of being diagnosed.  It is particularly sad to think that exposure could have happened on a small number of occasions, but the Claimant has been very unlucky, causing devastation to the family.

The key to any claim is to start investigations as soon as there has been a diagnosis and attempt to gather statements from any friends or colleagues who have worked with you as time is very much against us from the start.’

What is mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that develops in the lining that covers the outer surface of some of the body’s organs. It is more commonly the result of exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma predominantly affects the lining of the lungs – known as pleural mesothelioma), but it can also affect the lining of the tummy (peritoneal mesothelioma), heart or testicles. More than 2,700 people are diagnosed with the condition each year in the UK. Most cases are diagnosed in people aged 60-80, and men are affected more commonly than women – most likely because of the kind of jobs that they worked in before retirement.

Read more on our mesothelioma compensation page

Pleural Mesothelioma

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a cancer that develops in the chest cavity around the lungs. A thin tissue membrane, known as the pleura, lines the lungs and chest cavity. When asbestos fibres get lodged in the lining of the lungs, they can cause inflammation and scarring. The tumours that form in the pleura are known as pleural mesothelioma. It usually takes from 20 to 50 years for malignant pleural mesothelioma to develop after a person’s first exposure to asbestos. Because of this latency period, the disease usually affects people older than 75. The average life expectancy for pleural mesothelioma is often less than 18 months, but it can depend on a varying host of factors. Although there is no cure for mesothelioma, some patients live much longer when they receive treatment. Combining several treatments, such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, has helped some people live for years, and clinical trials offer access to new treatments such as immunotherapy. The symptoms of pleural mesothelioma are:

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Extreme tiredness (fatigue)
• A persistent cough
• A high temperature (fever) and sweating, particularly at night
• Loss of appetite and unexplained weight loss
• Clubbed (swollen) fingertips

How can we help

Here at AWH, our experienced mesothelioma solicitors can use their expertise and understanding to help an individual who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, or a close relative to a person who has recently passed away from mesothelioma. We can provide compassionate and dedicated legal guidance, making sure that sufferers and their families are fully compensated for the impact that mesothelioma has on lives. Our mesothelioma solicitors help families with claiming for:

• The mental anguish from the loss of friendship, comfort and support
• Expected loss of income from your loved one
• Expected loss of protection, care and assistance
• Any medical treatment and care for the person who has sadly passed away

People tend to be diagnosed with mesothelioma in the later stages of the disease, so many sufferers choose not to pursue mesothelioma claims, fearing that the process will take too long. However, it is important to note that claim for mesothelioma sufferers are usually fast tracked through the courts. Our mesothelioma solicitors will work hard to build and pursue your compensation claim as quickly as possible, allowing you to access the financial support you require swiftly. We recently settled a mesothelioma case for a Mr William Moulton, securing £88,000. When putting together his case, his former wife told our specialists that she remembered her husband spent his days,’stripping radiators, walls and ceilings…it was a big part of his job so he was covered in dust most days.’ This was likely the toxic dust that led to his eventual diagnosis.

Get in touch today to learn more about how we could help you with a mesothelioma claim if you have experienced something similar.