Law Firm Irwin Mitchell Host Launch Of The Mesothelioma Handbook

The Leeds office of national law firm Irwin Mitchell is inviting health care professionals, carers, and families dealing with asbestos related illnesses to the launch of The Mesothelioma Handbook.

The book, which has been produced by The June Hancock Mesothelioma Research Fund, is being launched on Thursday 24th March, just a week before the 20th anniversary of the end of legal proceedings in the landmark June Hancock case.

June Hancock was diagnosed with mesothelioma in October 1993 and instructed Irwin Mitchell to launch a legal battle regarding her environmental exposure to asbestos, as a child, growing up close to the former JW Roberts asbestos factory in Armley, Leeds.

It was the first case to be brought by a mesothelioma sufferer who had not worked with the deadly material and her legal team successfully argued that the factory’s owner, Turner and Newall, should be held responsible for the exposure suffered by local residents living close to the site.

The appeal against the June’s victory was dismissed on 2 April 1996, marking the end of legal proceedings in the case, and she was awarded a five-figure sum by way of compensation.

While she sadly passed away, in 1997, June’s legacy of raising awareness of the asbestos-related cancer continues with the June Hancock Mesothelioma Research Fund.

Kate Hill, trustee of the June Hancock Mesothelioma Research Fund who produced the handbook, will be introducing the event.

She said: “The charity is pleased to continue to provide useful information to help those affected by mesothelioma. The new version of the handbook has been written by Dr Clayson to provide straightforward information for patients, their families, non-specialist health care professionals and carers. It covers all aspects of the illness including clinical investigations, treatments, psychological and practical issues.“

The launch takes place at the law firm’s Leeds office, 2 Wellington Place, from 6:30-8:30pm and will be attended by author Dr Helen Clayson, palliative care specialist, who has been involved in the care of people with mesothelioma for 30 years, looking after them in their homes, hospices and hospitals.

Dr Clayson continues to work on the research and education concerning asbestos-related diseases - including a training programme in Japan and an asbestosis project in India. She is a co-applicant on a National Institute of Health Research proposal to study the organisation and economics of care for mesothelioma in the UK. This handbook is based on her experience and research.

Adrian Budgen, the National Head of Asbestos Litigation at Irwin Mitchell, who had the sad privilege of representing June in her landmark battle for justice, and who is a trustee of the charity, will also be attending the launch.

Expert Opinion

June was a truly remarkable woman and her spirit very much lives on in the work undertaken by the June Hancock Mesothelioma Research Fund.

I think June would be proud to know that, twenty years after the end of the case, the Fund are still providing vital support tools, including this handbook, to help people impacted by mesothelioma.“We hope that anyone who has been affected with this illness, whether it be healthcare professionals or patients and their loved ones, will come to this free event and find it full of insightful and helpful advice.

It may be twenty years on from the end of June’s case but there remains plenty of work to be done to raise awareness, promote research and improve safety standards, in this regard, and we remain totally committed to campaigning on these issues in June’s memory.
Adrian Budgen - National Head of Asbestos and Occupational Disease

You can sign up to the free event here or turn up on the night at Irwin Mitchell, 2 Wellington Place, Leeds LS1 4BZ.

Our expert mesothelioma lawyers will provide you with free initial advice on your compensation claim if you or a loved on has been diagnosed with mesothelioma caused by asbestos exposure. See our Asbestos-Related Disease Claims Guide for more information.