On 11th September, Mary Elcock, from Wimborne, Dorset died in hospital just two months after being receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis on 26th July.
An inquest was opened, and coroner’s officer Ken McEwan, found Mrs Elcock grew up on a farm which had buildings with asbestos roofs. The inquest was adjourned and will be reopened in April next year.
Asbestos is an extremely hazardous material and exposure to it can often result in serious and sometimes fatal diseases, including mesothelioma which is the most serious and incurable form of asbestos-related cancer.
Before the dangers of the hazardous material were known, it was often used to insulate buildings and was sprayed on ceilings and walls. It has since been banned in the UK, but many buildings which were constructed before the year 2000 may still have asbestos in them.
It is only when the asbestos-containing materials are damaged or disturbed that the fibres become a risk, as they can be released into the air and inhaled, however, the symptoms of asbestos-related diseases take many years to show. A mesothelioma diagnosis may not be made until decades after the original exposure.
It is extremely important that people know about the dangers of asbestos exposure. Farmers are particularly at risk due to the high proportion of older farm buildings constructed when it was still a common material used in the manufacturing and insulation of buildings.
There is still a long way to go to effectively put into place the necessary processes to ensure the safety of people living near and working close to buildings that still contain asbestos.
Rebecca Montague, personal injury specialist at Macks Solicitors says “The tragic legacy of asbestos is that there are unmeasurable numbers of people today having to live with the fear of developing a fatal disease in the future. It is an upsetting and sad reality that despite the known dangers of asbestos, people in the UK continue to be exposed to this deadly dust.”
Asbestos could affect anyone, including the families and loved ones of those that have come directly into contact with it. If you or someone in your family has been affected by asbestos, then you may be able to claim for compensation.
Macks Solicitors are experts at making claims for those people who have been diagnosed with asbestos related disease and always work on a No Win No Fee basis. We understand that every case is different and our specialist solicitors work hard to ensure that your case is as stress free as possible for you. We will do all we can to support you through your claim and get you the compensation you deserve.
If you would like to speak to Rebecca Montague regarding making a claim for yourself or a loved one you can request a call back or call us from 8am to 9pm every day on 01642 252828 for a free, no obligation consultation.
