Although it sadly may not be surprising news to many of our readers, those who are unaware of the devastating consequences that asbestos can have will be shocked to learn that its worst effects often only emerge many years after the sufferer’s initial exposure to the deadly fibres.
Now, campaigners in Scotland have called for victims of asbestos-related cancer who are attempting to secure civil compensation to receive greater support.
A desperate fight for justice
The charity Clydeside Action on Asbestos was established in 1984, and initially served shipyard workers diagnosed with asbestos-related disease.
However, contrary to long-time misconceptions that asbestos-related diseases only usually affect males working in certain industries, the charity’s senior welfare rights officer and director, Phyllis Craig, said that it was seeing ever-greater numbers of people from other employment sectors, as well as more women.
Craig observed: “We are seeing a lot of people from the construction industry and we are seeing teachers, nurses, doctors, policemen and firemen. Many of them had been exposed 20 years ago. There is a myth that women were only exposed to asbestos if they washed their husband’s overalls.”
Families left heartbroken
While there have been many cases in the news as of late illustrating the plight of those suffering from asbestos-related disease, one that particularly saddened us related to a man from Inverness who said that his former employer was deliberately ignoring correspondence from his solicitor.
James Nicol, a former labourer for Highland Council, said that he believed he was exposed to asbestos while refurbishing council properties in the 1980s. However, he was only diagnosed with mesothelioma in March this year, after he had found he could not swim as quickly as he previously could.
A Highland Council spokesperson stated: “We cannot comment on this matter. However, we can confirm that where individuals appoint solicitors to make claims against Highland Council, communications would be made via the person’s solicitor and not direct with the claimant.”
With so many other cases like that of Mr Nicol continuing to come to light, the crucial importance of the right asbestos surveys and other measures to protect today’s workers from the lethal effects of this harmful substance could not be clearer.
Contact Salvum today, and we can help to ensure that your own organisation fulfils its duties towards its workers by appropriately identifying and dealing with any asbestos on its premises.
