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Action Mesothelioma Day (7 July 2017) marks an important milestone in the history of asbestos litigation in the UK: the 45th anniversary of the first ever successful test case for asbestos disease compensation, won in 1972 by Thompsons Solicitors.
Thompsons Solicitors will be marking the occasion by participating in memorial services across the UK.
| Over four decades later, Action Mesothelioma Day serves as an important reminder that asbestos disease is by no means an issue of the past, but is having an enduring impact on families and communities across the UK., Source: Ian McFall |
Ian McFall, head of asbestos litigation at Thompsons Solicitors said: “This year marks 45 years since Thompsons Solicitors won the first ever successful compensation claim in the House of Lords on behalf of UK victims of asbestos disease.
“This ground-breaking litigation blazed a trail which ensured that people diagnosed, and their families affected by asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma, are able to pursue financial compensation and hold negligent companies to account.
“Over four decades later, Action Mesothelioma Day serves as an important reminder that asbestos disease is by no means an issue of the past, but is having an enduring impact on families and communities across the UK. Thompsons’ commitment continues to secure financial compensation for those diagnosed with asbestos disease, and working to ensure existing legal protections are strengthened.”
| Vivienne Swain, an asbestos disease client of Thompsons Solicitors. |
Vivienne Swain, 60, from Rochdale, will join representatives from Thompsons Solicitors to speak at a meeting in Sackville Gardens, Manchester with the Greater Manchester Asbestos Victims Support Group. Thompsons Solicitors supported Vivienne after she contracted mesothelioma in August 2015 as a result of exposure to asbestos dust when washing the work clothing of her former husband. Following an appeal for witnesses about conditions at Manchester City Council in the 1970s, Thompsons Solicitors successfully secured compensation for Vivienne in 2017.
“Thompsons Solicitors worked tirelessly on my claim for compensation, which is giving me strength to carry on in the face of this illness,” said Vivienne.
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Asbestos litigation experts from Thompsons Solicitors have been attending Action Mesothelioma Day events throughout the week to remember the lives of those lost as a result of asbestos exposure, including a memorial with the ‘Japan Association of Mesothelioma, Asbestos Diseases and Victims and their Families’ in Nottingham.
Doves will be released at the Senedd in Wales by Asbestos Awareness & Support Cymru (AASC) and at London Bridge by the London Hazards Trust & London Asbestos Support Awareness Group on Friday 7 July, while memorials have been organised by Chris Knighton MBE on behalf of the Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund in the North East and the Derbyshire Asbestos Support Team and Asbestos Support Central England in Birmingham.