Personal injury news

New centre for mesothelioma sufferers in Northern Ireland

A new drop-in centre for people suffering from asbestos-related diseases has been opened in East Belfast.

The new centre will allow sufferers of asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma, the opportunity to receive advice about coping with their illness and making a possible compensation claim.

The Bloomfield Avenue Centre will offer advice to the nearly 3,000 people in Northern Ireland who have been exposed to asbestos during their working lives.

Brian Lee from the campaign group Justice for Asbestos Victims says that asbestos statistics show there could be up to 6,000 people who are unaware that they have been affected by the poisonous material.

Mr Lee was diagnosed with pleural plaques several years ago and believes it was whilst working at a shipyard that he was exposed to asbestos.

He said, "One type was like snow and we used to pack it together like snowballs and throw it at each other, not realising the danger we were putting ourselves in.

"Certainly companies didn't make us aware of it and this is why today they have to pay out compensation."

People who have been diagnosed with such diseases as asbestosis or mesothelioma will be able to receive information from the centre about making a possible personal injury compensation claim against their former employer.