ASBESTOS-RELATED CANCER COMPENSATION CASE OPENS

Please provide any information you think may be helpful to mesothelioma victimd and their familiesLawyers are about to start legal action after an ex-councillor from a village near Bath died of cancer. Former Timsbury councillor Bill Brown died in August last year, at the age of 77, having suffered from mesothelioma, a chest cancer that develops 15 to 60 years after exposure to asbestos.His widow, Iris, 79, who lives in Farmborough, said: "He had not been too well back at Christmas 2004."It was not until February last year, when the doctor called to tell us he had cancer and that they thought it was through the asbestos."It was very sad to see him sink so low, but he had such good care."Mr Brown worked as an engineer for Bristol paper and packaging firm DRG, where he rose to supervisor and later manager. He retired in 1988.Mrs Brown said her late husband came into contact with asbestos while at work.She said: "He had to supervise the work of the men stripping down various components in the factory. All the engine parts were clad with asbestos."Brigitte Chandler, a partner at Charles Lucas and Marshall solicitors in Swindon, is handling the claim.Ms Chandler said the company Mr Brown worked for no longer existed as it was."It is their insurers that we are dealing with," she said."They have been notified about the claim and we hope to issue proceedings shortly."Meanwhile, Monday saw the launch of the first Action Mesothelioma Day.According to new research by the British Lung Foundation (BLF), only six per cent of people in the UK know what the disease is, yet it kills one person every five hours in the UK. This figure is set to peak over the next decade.The rising number of deaths from the condition is linked to the use of asbestos in the building industry up until the mid 1980s.The time between exposure to asbestos and developing mesothelioma can range from 15 to 60 years, with death coming within two years of diagnosis.The aim of Action Mesothelioma Day was to raise the profile of the condition through a series of events and the presentation to the Government of a Patient Charter signed by more than 10,000 people.However, the increasing number of people carrying out do-it-yourself and home improvements has also sparked fears that people could be exposing themselves to asbestos which was used as insulation materials in homes built between the 1950s and '80s.Dame Helena Shovelton, chief executive of the BLF, said: "Mesothelioma destroys the lives of its victims and their families."The time between diagnosis and death is short and in the vast majority of cases, people suffer a tortured and agonising death."John McClean, national health and safety officer for the GMB trade union, added: "For too long sufferers of mesothelioma have been the hidden cancer victims in this country."A spokesman for insurance company Zurich said: "At this time we extend our condolences to Mr Brown's family for their loss."Our claims department is in contact with the family's solicitor and currently awaits further information relating to the claim as requested from the broker. This is required in order for us to conclude our investigations and bring the claim to an appropriate resolution."