Report to the People
Mesothelioma
As I have said before in this column, the incidence of Industrial Illness in Inverclyde is an unwelcome and persisting reminder of our past.
One of the worst industrial illnesses was caused by a substance now so notorious that the mere mention of its name conjures up negative images: asbestos.
In Inverclyde, and indeed throughout the whole of Clydeside, there are many shipyard workers who were exposed to asbestos during their working life. They later became ill and have now contracted Mesothelioma.
Unlike other major Clydeside industrial illnesses, such as deafness, exposure to asbestos did not only effect the workers themselves. Asbestos dust, brought home on overalls and in hair, also damaged wives and children.
It is, therefore, a huge problem. And, unfortunately, scientists believe that what they term the "European Mesothelioma Epidemic", has not yet reached its peak.
It was against this background that I recently attended a meeting in Parliament organised by Clydeside Action on Asbestos. It brought together Mesothelioma sufferers, their legal representatives and MSPs who represent shipbuilding and former shipbuilding constituencies.
At the meeting we heard of the sufferers’ difficulties in gaining proper compensation. Those defending the compensation claims, it seems, are employing sharp practice to prolong the process.
A favourite tactic is the so-called "blanket denial." This involves the defender denying of every one of the claimant’s assertions. For example, your claim may say that your name is Jim Smith and you worked in the Cartsdyke Shipyard between 1960 and 1970, where you build ships x, y & z. The defenders simply deny these most basic facts - even when faced with photographs of a particular ship being built in a particular yard.
These denials are obviously groundless and can easily be disproved in a court. But to do so takes time. And, when you are terminally ill, time is of the essence.
These people need help now. They have lost earnings, need extra assistance at home, and incur many other costs.
Spinning out a legal action on spurious grounds in the hope that the claimant dies before you have to pay a penny is nothing short of immoral. You may find this surprising coming from a politician, but I am genuinely shocked by this cynicism.
I have therefore tabled a private members motion in Parliament, calling for an end to such underhand legal tactics. These workers’ reward for years of service has been the pain and suffering of Mesothelioma. Proper, swift compensation is their right.
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