Irwin Mitchell secured a landmark ruling which allows hospices to recover the costs associated with caring for mesothelioma victims

North London Hospice has received a welcome financial boost after specialist asbestos lawyers secured funds of almost 10k to cover the cost of care for a man who died from mesothelioma.

Expert industrial disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell acting on behalf of the family of Robert Moore, from Edgware, London who died from the asbestos-related cancer, secured his care costs at the hospice as part of a settlement from the insurers of his former employers, Trollope & Colls Ltd.

Robert, who was 77 when he died, was exposed to asbestos during his work as a carpenter on construction sites where sheets of the toxic substance were cut to insulate buildings.

The recovery of the care costs from his former employers was possible thanks to a landmark ruling secured by Irwin Mitchell five years ago which allows hospices to recover the costs associated with caring for mesothelioma victims, where these costs are originally funded through charitable donations.

Since the initial judgment in the test case, the firm has recovered approximately £500,000 for hospices across the UK on the back of successful legal cases brought by the families of the mesothelioma patients in addition to the damages secured for the families themselves.

Robert’s family is extremely grateful to the hospice for its support, understanding and care provided to him during their final days, and they are pleased to be able to give something back to them so that they can go on to provide further care to others.

Expert Opinion

“While hospice care is always free at the point of delivery, many people do not realise that many hospices only receive a percentage of their funding from public sector funding.

“Hospices often have to find the remaining funds from charitable donations and money staff and volunteers raise themselves which poses a constant challenge to meet the costs of the care that they provide.

“In this case, the North London Hospice provided care to Robert or the final six weeks of his life. His son and daughter visited daily, and are thankful for the hospice for ensuring that the end of their dad’s life was as peaceful and comfortable as possible.” Natalia Rushworth-White - Associate Solicitor

Robin Langrishe, Fundraising Director at North London Hospice, said: "We are pleased to receive this money through the claim brought on behalf of Mr Moore.

“The North London Hospice is committed to providing the best standard of care to those who need it most at the end of their lives and it is only through donations that we are able to achieve this.

“It costs £8 million per year to operate our services and every amount raised will ensure that we are able to continue working on behalf of patients and their families."

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.