Speaking at Action Mesothelioma Day, citizens were advocating to the British Government for a compensation fund for victims of asbestos-related illnesses.
New steps are being taken to ensure victims of asbestos exposure are compensated and treated fairly for their wrongful disease. Organized by the British Lung Foundation, Action mesothelioma Day was planned to aide in public awareness involving the dangers surrounding asbestos exposure.
asbestos exposure cases have been clouded in conspiracy for decades as manufacturers were aware of the toxic components involved with asbestos and did not relay this evidence to the public for decades. Workers and civilians were wrongfully exposed to a toxic substance they had no prior knowledge of.
Citizens who attended Action mesothelioma Day campaigned for a central compensation fund for sufferers of mesothelioma to be established. They seek the British Government’s assistance in forming an Employers Liability fund for those who contract a disease while performing their duties on the job.
Occupations that are at risk for mesothelioma include construction workers, plumbers, engineers, shipyard workers, electricians and electrical fitters.
Advocates say the compensation fund would work in ways similar to the British Motor Insurers’ Bureau, which provides payouts to victims of uninsured drivers.
A statement made by Unite Joint General Secretary, Derek Simpson, is evidence that the British Government is in fact hearing the voices of its people.
“We will continue to fight for those who have been affected to ensure they receive adequate compensation. We also want to make sure adequate resources are available to find better medical treatments and hopefully a cure,” Simpson said.
mesothelioma is a severe form of asbestos lung cancer that affects thousands each year. Most of the people who develop an asbestos-related illness have worked at jobs where they inhaled airborne asbestos fibers for a long period of time. According to the Cancer Research UK, approximately 2,100 people develop mesothelioma every year in the country.
With a latency period lasting anywhere from 20 to 50 years, many patients do not become aware of their disease until they have significantly aged. Individuals who suspect they have been exposed to asbestos should meet with mesothelioma doctors who can provide an examination and help determine if there is any risk for mesothelioma development.
Another study performed by the British Health and Safety Executive concluded that exposure to asbestos is the largest cause of work-related fatalities in the country.
With the number of mesothelioma fatalities expected to increase by 2020, families should not feel guilty about seeking damages for a family member’s illness. The type of negligence involved with asbestos exposure cases often guarantees victims and their families rightful compensation.
For more information on asbestos exposure and mesothelioma, please visit the Mesothelioma Cancer Center.