Brachers supports Action Mesothelioma Day 2017

Event raises awareness of asbestos-related disease prevalent in Kent and Medway area
 

Brachers was delighted to support an event held in Chatham today to commemorate victims and raise awareness of the asbestos killer disease mesothelioma. Statistics show that the Medway area has one of the highest incidence rates in the country of the cancer.
 

The event, held at Royal Dockyard Church in Chatham Dockyard, saw a dove release in the presence of the Deputy Mayor of Medway at midday, followed by a public meeting to discuss asbestos issues and victim support. Speakers at the event included Professor Anne Bowcock from Imperial College, London, Dr Helen McGee from Hospice in the Weald, John Reeves of the Kent National Union of Teachers, and Jeremy Horton partner at Brachers.
 

The event was organised by Alan McKenna who teaches law at the University of Kent and campaigns and writes on asbestos issues.
 

Brachers has established a reputation for helping victims of industrial diseases such as mesothelioma to make their claims, on a ‘no win-no fee’ basis. Brachers is the only firm in Kent, Surrey or Sussex with an APIL (Association of Personal Injury Lawyers) Accredited Occupational Disease Specialist and an APIL Accredited Asbestos Disease Specialist solicitor.
 

Government figures on mesothelioma deaths show that the Medway area (including the Medway Towns of Chatham, Gillingham and Rochester) remains in the top 10 for the incidence of deaths from mesothelioma. The high incidence of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related disease can clearly be linked to the heavy use of asbestos at Chatham dockyards in ship building and repair, and exposure at other sites such as BP’s Isle of Grain oil refinery and the asbestos manufacturing factory at British Uralite Higham, just on the edge of the Medway Towns.
 

Alan McKenna said:
 

“I was delighted that we had a very successful event with a strong turnout. Mesothelioma and other asbestos diseases have had a terrible impact on many thousands of people and Kent has been amongst the worst affected areas. I hope this action day will help keep the issue in the public consciousness. I am very grateful to Brachers for their support for the event.”

Jeremy Horton, partner at Brachers specialising in industrial diseases, said:
 

“We were very happy to lend our support to this action day and our thanks goes to everyone that came. Sadly, the industrial past in our region was a recipe for a future epidemic of asbestos-related deaths and diseases which we are only experiencing now. Mesothelioma deaths have increased by over one third in the past 10 years and now run at just over 2,500 nationally. They are expected to remain at this level until at least the end of the decade. We are committed to helping victims of the disease get the compensation they deserve.”

Presentations from speakers included:
 

• Professor Anne Bowcock of Imperial College, London who informed us of their latest research into immunotherapy for mesothelioma.
• Dr Helen McGee , consultant in palliative care at Hospice in the Weald who shared with us the practical advice and support hospices give to make mesothelioma sufferers’ life and death more comfortable.
• MacMillan Lung Cancer Nurse, Beverley Brawn who advised us about the help and treatments local hospitals can provide to mesothelioma sufferers, including the possibility of the first local immunotherapy trials this autumn.
• John Reeves from the NUT who informed us about the current dangers from old asbestos in over 80% of our schools.
• Jeremy Horton (Kent & Medway’s only APIL accredited asbestos disease specialist) gave an overview of the law of compensation for mesothelioma victims. He highlighted current legal issues with low exposure asbestos claims, especially in our schools.