Asbestos disease – latest figures show asbestos timebomb is here to stay

November 7, 2019

Latest asbestos statistics show no let up in the asbestos timebomb affecting thousands of people and their families every year

Read here about the latest findings and why our asbestos team is fighting for asbestos victims and their families. In particular read how more women are being affected by asbestos disease.

Our friendly team are answering calls following our nationwide Asbestos disease campaign – call us FREE on 0800 083 7839.

Asbestos Disease – the latest figures

The Health & Safety Executive have released figures showing figures for diagnosed asbestos disease cases up to December 2018.

The link to the report is here:- http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/causdis/asbestos-related-disease.pdf

The key points of the report are:-

  • There are over 5,000 asbestos related diseases per year including mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis
  • Some 2,526 deaths in 2017 were due to the asbestos cancer mesothelioma
  • There were 517 deaths where asbestosis was mentioned

Asbestos Disease- Mesothelioma

There were 2,526 deaths due to mesothelioma during 2017. Of these 2087 were male and 439 were female. This means 17% or just under 1 in 5 mesothelioma victims are female

Claims for Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) shows only 235 female claims were made. Corries experience reflects this benefits scheme which is skewed against women with asbestos disease.

Our Director Howard Bonnett wrote earlier this year about how the current system does not help female asbestos victims. Read here about his campaign https://www.corries.co.uk/asbestos-cancer-and-women-corries-campaign-to-make-things-right/

The average age of the mesothelioma victims is steadily increasing to above 75. This shows that asbestos has no sell by date. It also shows that you are never free from the risk of developing malignant disease

Asbestos Disease – Lung cancer

The latest statistics confirm 200 lung cancer claims were made under the IIDB scheme and as little as 75 cases found through other methods.

It is thought that there should be about 3000-4000 people a year diagnosed with asbestos lung cancer. The facts show that not enough is being done to flag up the connection between asbestos and lung cancer. More needs to be done to steer victims to make claims for benefits and compensation.

Asbestos Disease – Asbestosis

The figures showed Asbestosis appearing on 517 death certificates in 2017. Of these only 226 deaths were blamed on Asbestosis as the sole or main cause.

This too in our opinion shows a massive under reporting or digesting of the true affect. It does not show a true picture of Asbestosis on victims. This fails to show the way in which the condition can cause or contribute to early deaths.

There was an increase in people claiming IIDB for Asbestosis to 950 showing a sensible approach by the Department for Work & Pensions when they receive such claims.

Asbestos Disease – Pleural Disease

There were 540 IIDB claims for Diffuse Pleural Thickening made in 2018. This is a largely static figure and is not reducing. Only 35 of these are female.

Asbestos Disease – the cumulative affect

What must be borne in mind is that each year the asbestos figures ADD TO THE EXISTING LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WITH ASBESTOS DISEASE.

Whilst some people die each year due to asbestos disease there is an increasing number who have their lives blighted by asbestos disease.

There is estimated to be a further half a million people or more with ASBESTOS RELATED PLEURAL PLAQUES. These people do not appear on official facts and figures. Our team speak to victims and know they are worried about asbestos disease.

Corries Asbestos Disease Campaign

Our Asbestos claims team are raising the issue of asbestos disease in a leaflet campaign in Teesside.

Our team also have a local media advert campaign.

This weekend we are running a national media advert to raise awareness and to help those with asbestos disease

Corries – why we are campaigning for asbestos victims

At Corries we want to help all those we can with asbestos disease. We are here to help all those who have a valid claim or might have one in the future. In our campaign we are fighting for people because:-

  • Our Pleural plaques scheme is increasingly popular and we are one of few firms that invest in pleural plaques victims;
  • Politicians are not looking to change and there is no mention in any of the parties’ manifesto’s of the main political parties to bring back compensation for plaques or to help asbestos victims,
  • The Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme was set up in 2014 but is still underused and many people are still missing out because the scheme is not advertised so we robustly continue to advertise about it
  • The HSE Asbestos statistics show no immediate reduction in the numbers of people suffering and dying from asbestos disease with many more to be affected in the next 20 years

Asbestos Disease – Comment

Corries Asbestos Claims Team Manager Howard Bonnett commented

“ I have been working in asbestos claims cases for 28 years. Back then we were told the peak of asbestos was only a few years away. Yet all these years later and with thousands dead already the asbestos timebomb ticks on.

“The years have not always been kind to asbestos victims. My team of lawyers are fighting harder then ever to get compensation for those blighted by this deadly mineral.

Cases for benefits are still hard and need to be carefully lodged. Insurers are fighting compensation cases on all points. As a result my team are working late into the night and this weekend to help victims and their families.“

If you have been affected by asbestos then call our friendly team now FREE on 0800 0083 7839. Our team are also in the office 10.00 am to 5.00 pm this weekend 9th and 10th November 2019.