“I didn’t have a traditional route into law. I did a BTEC National Diploma in Business and Finance, which taught me law, accounts, sales and marketing and company structures too. I knew after the course, that I wanted to become a lawyer.
A really key part of my job is to build relationships with clients and make sure they know I’m there to support them and listen to them. Many people I work with are going through the most difficult time, as I work on cases where clients sadly have received a terminal diagnosis. It’s an area of significant legal uncertainty.
One case that stands out to me recently was that of a man – Martin Rix – who passed away from mesothelioma, an aggressive asbestos related disease. He was the managing director of a successful family business.
Following his diagnosis, he asked us to investigate a legal claim involving contact with asbestos. It was found his exposure had taken place when employed by Paramount Shopfitting Company in the 1970s.
At the time of his diagnosis, he had been successfully running the business which combined construction, joinery, and the manufacture of laminate worktops. The business was left to his wife Eunice and her sons.
From a financial perspective, the business was continuing to thrive, and one of the sons became managing director. But the struggle of losing his dad and being thrust into that senior position had a significant impact on his mental health and wellbeing.
So I supported the family through a case which involved four years of litigation and which eventually went to a remote trial at the High Court, during the first coronavirus lockdown. We secured justice for the family, with the court handing down judgment in their favour in line with the Fatal Accidents Act of 1976.
It was decided that Martin’s wife, Eunice, was entitled to financial dependency based on Martin’s situation at the date of his passing. This was a ground-breaking decision as it was based on the profitability of the business before Martin fell ill.
Though nothing can change what happened to Martin, Eunice and her sons are grateful that he’s being acknowledged for everything he did for them.
We pushed the boundary of the law for the Rix family, and the Judge recognised the need to look at the practical realities of each individual family in cases like this – which is the approach we’ve always adopted. The family expressed how well supported they felt throughout, at what was undoubtedly a very difficult time for them.
Though nothing can change what happened to Martin, his loved ones are grateful that the law has acknowledged everything he did for them.”
Joanne is a Partner in our London personal injury claims team. She has particular experience with claims for mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
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