The asbestos industry has a long and shameful history in Scotland.
Despite the fact that the dangers of asbestos were documented as far back as the early 1900s, Scottish entrepreneurs, who had first started making money from asbestos in the 1870s, continued to use the substance even as the twentieth century edged to a close, and nowhere was its use more prevalent than in the shipyards of Scotland, particularly in Clyde.
If you have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness such as mesothelioma and are one of the thousands of workers in Scotland who inhaled or ingested asbestos fibres while working on Scottish shipyards in the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s, contact Thompsons Solicitors’ asbestos claims team today.
The Shipyard Asbestos Legacy
Last century Scotland was home to many of the UK’s busiest shipyards. Indeed, Clydebank, where many of these were situated, has the highest mesothelioma mortality rate in the whole of the country. Its legacy is immeasurable, with asbestos illnesses devastating many families and communities.
It has also come at a huge financial price. Clydeside Action on Asbestos, puts the cost of diagnosing and treating a patient with mesothelioma at around £60,000. "The responsibility for meeting these costs rests with the employers who exposed their employees to asbestos, contributing to the development of their illness," a spokesperson with the group said in 2014.
It is hardly surprising that so many shipyard workers in Scotland have developed mesothelioma as well as other asbestos illnesses. For too many years employers exposed workers to asbestos dust on a daily basis, and this despite the clear body of evidence which outlined the risks. For example, in the 1960s during construction of the Cunard liner Queen Elizabeth around 3,000 workers in Clydebank suffered likely asbestos exposure. But this figure of represents only a fraction of those who suffered exposure last century.
Shipyard Workers
There were many different types of shipyard worker who suffered exposure during the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s. They include the following:
- Joiners
- Carpenters
- Plumbers
- Laggers
- Electricians
- Metal workers
- Plasterers
If your claim relates to one of the trades listed above, talk to Thompsons Solicitors’ asbestos claim team today.
Shipyard Asbestos Claims with Thompsons
It is only right that those responsible for causing harm should stand to account and we have the expertise and experience necessary to ensure just settlement, even if it means tracing the relevant liability insurer.
If you or a close family member has been diagnosed with an asbestos illness in the past three years and you believe it to be attributable to exposure in a shipyard, contact Thompsons Solicitors for advice and information regarding your rights and options. Call us today on 0800 0891331.
