Member Article

Dedicated Support for Asbestos Victims

Tilly Bailey & Irvine Solicitors has introduced a dedicated helpline supporting individuals who believe they may have a claim for an asbestos-related condition.

The support service is launched in response to the increased volume of enquiries relating to this potentially devastating diagnosis.

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer often related to exposure to asbestos materials. Frequently victims have worked in heavy industry such as shipbuilding or construction. The problem many potential claimants have had is the issue of ‘causation’ or in other words the specific link between the place of work, exposure and resultant diagnosis. This issue is made worse by the latent nature of mesothelioma, which can take as long as 40 to 50 years to develop to a point where it can be diagnosed. After such long periods many of the original employers have gone out of business.

A newly announced fund aims to address any difficulties around establishing valid claims by providing support for legal fees and a more rapid response to such enquiries. The Government has announced that the fund totals £380 million and has been set aside to compensate victims, many of whom worked in heavy industry here in the North East.

The Minister of State for Work & Pensions, Mike Penning, set out the Government’s position. He said: “After hard negotiations with the insurance industry, I’m pleased to say that from this month anyone diagnosed with mesothelioma since July 2012 will be able to apply for compensation worth up to £123,000.”

It has also been agreed that the families of loved ones who have already passed as a result of the disease will still be able to claim on their behalf.

John Hall, Managing Partner at Tilly Bailey & Irvine Solicitors, confirmed that the introduction of the Asbestos Support Line was a natural step to support local families who were struggling to take their cases forward or worried they may not have valid claims. He commented: “Over the years we’ve helped an increasing number of families at what is often a very distressing time. The establishment of this free support line aims to reduce the stress for local people who want straightforward answers and advice. There is also no cost to be borne directly by the claimants as the Government has introduced a fund which takes care of legal fees.”

John Hall continued: “I would encourage anyone who thinks they or a family member may be suffering, or had suffered from an asbestos related condition, to contact us without delay. We can quickly put the wheels in motion to establish the strength of any claim and progress the matter towards compensation.”

Potential claimants can contact the dedicated line by calling Tilly Bailey & Irvine on 0333 444 4422 and quoting ‘Asbestos Claim’ or by sending a text to 80010 quoting ‘tbi’.

John Hall heads up the Personal Injury department at Tilly Bailey & Irvine Solicitors, having specialised in this field for more than 30 years.

Tilly Bailey & Irvine Solicitors’ team has extensive experience in claims for industrial related injuries and diseases. The firm is accredited by the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL), and has experience in bringing claims which date back many years, as well as claims against companies which are no longer trading, have changed name or have been bought out.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tilly Bailey and Irvine Solictors .