GUILTY MUST COUGH UP
Richard Green, asbestos specialist for law firm Hugh James considers the ongoing health risk from asbestos.
‘People often develop symptoms long after the exposure’
These days many people are not concerned with the dangers associated with asbestos. After all, it was discontinued in industry decades ago when a voluntary ban on the product came into effect. Even at its peak use in the Sixties and Seventies it was thought that only those in specific job roles who worked closely with it, such as dockers, builders, pipelaggers and steelworkers, would be affected. Richard Green, specialist asbestos solicitor at the firm Hugh James warns that, for some, this attitude could be sadly misguided. The reason some people are only feeling the side-effects of working with asbestos now is that for many asbestos-related conditions, it can take decades for symptoms to manifest themselves. Richard says; “People often develop symptoms long after the initial exposure and do not always relate their illness to the source of asbestos exposure, which may have been in a work environment years earlier. “Conditions such as pleural plaques, pleural thickening, asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer can all be caused through exposure to asbestos. If you suffer from one of these illnesses it’s likely that, at some point, you would have been exposed to asbestos.”
COMPENSATION FOR ASBESTOSRELATED DISEASE VICTIMS
James Evans, who worked in a military dockyard as a painter during the 1960s, pursued a claim for compensation after a diagnosis of pleural thickening. He painted ships containing vast amounts of asbestos. It was almost 50 years before Mr Evans was diagnosed with pleural thickening, which has since been proven as being caused by his work with asbestos. Mr Evans’ claim was settled provisionally, meaning he is entitled to more compensation should he develop a further asbestos-related condition.
ARE YOU AT RISK FROM ASBESTOS EXPOSURE?
Although more common in people who worked in heavy industry, there are circumstances where this is not the case. Asbestos is still embedded today in buildings where people work or live; it is often found in schools and hospitals and you can even develop symptoms of an asbestos-related illness through working or living with someone who worked closely with the material. Richard says: “Most people attribute asbestos-related illnesses to industrial workers, however, we are seeing more teachers, hospital workers and shop assistants coming forward with asbestos-related illnesses. “Many public buildings were built during an era where asbestos was readily used. Asbestos is generally safe when it remains in good condition when left undisturbed but staff and members of the public can easily be exposed once the asbestos is damaged.” Generally, asbestos-related illnesses are caused by high levels of asbestos exposure but low-level exposure also poses a significant threat. Richard says: “Although it in no way makes up for the illness and pain suffered, financial remuneration is available to ensure that people receive the right level of treatment and care needed during their illness or sadly in some cases, to ensure loved ones are taken care of if a person can no longer work or if the illness proves fatal.
“Anyone suffering with an asbestos-related illness should seek advice from a specialist asbestos solicitor. “Firms such as Hugh James will also offer advice and support with welfare benefits and employment concerns.”