Disease cases 'likely to soar' (From Barry And District News)

Disease cases 'likely to soar'

VALE OF GLAMORGAN MP John Smith believes that Barry and the Vale of Glamorgan may be sitting on an industrial disease timebomb.

He made his comments at a public meeting to draw attention to the issue, held at Barry Memorial Hall on Monday. It was also addressed by Michael Imperato, a leading Welsh industrial disease lawyer.

Mr Smith said: "We are likely to see a major upsurge in industrial diseases over the next few years, particularly those linked to exposure to asbestos.

"I hope to highlight the problem and raise awareness. This is going to be a major health issue for this part of Wales and the problem will only get worse before it gets better.

"The Barry area is a potential 'hot spot' for industrial disease claims, due to the historical presence of power stations and docks in the area."

Mr Imperato said: "It is imperative for workers to seek proper advice as to benefits and legal claims.

"There are strict time limits to pursuing legal claims and some benefits. The general rule is: don't sit back, seek advice as soon as you have a problem.

"Families may also be entitled to compensation if their loved ones have died from industrial diseases.

"In the miners' compensation claims, a lot of widows have been able to put in claims. This would certainly be the case with other conditions as well."

More than 3,000 people a year die in the UK from asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos fibres can lay dormant in the lungs for 30 years or more and victims may be symptom-free for that period of time.

People who have not worked nor been exposed to asbestos for decades may only now be falling ill because of it.

Common conditions linked with asbestos are: asbestosis, a progressive respiratory disease; lung cancer, and; mesothelioma, a form of cancer almost always associated with asbestos and which is fatal.