Speakers at Merseyside Asbestos Victim Support conference highlight Fieldfisher cases
London partners Peter Williams and Andrew Morgan, Senior Assistant Shaheen Mosquera and Assistant Charlotte Thorpe attended, along with Manchester partner Bridget Collier and Paralegal Elizabeth Hayhurst. As previously, the event was held at the National Maritime Museum on the Liverpool Waterfront and speakers discussed law, medicine, and expert engineering evidence as they apply to mesothelioma claims in England and Wales and in the US.
Of particular interest considering our caseload was consulting engineer John Raper who looks at methods for measuring asbestos doses and what is needed to prove causation in cases of low-level exposure. Eminent respiratory physician Robin Rudd added his view and discussed the research of Hodgson and Darnton, which he believes underestimates the likely risks of developing mesothelioma among the population of patients who have actually developed the disease.
Brendan Tully, attorney at Simons Greenstone Panatier in New York, discussed potential US claims following exposure to contaminated cosmetic talcum powder. He also discussed his recent, successful case brought on behalf of the estate of Fieldfisher client Mike Donovan. Andrew Morgan previously obtained compensation for Mr Donovan in a claim against his employer the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and introduced Mr Donovan to Brendan to pursue an additional product liability claim in the US.
Mike Rawlinson QC focused on the use of statistical data by Defendants as exemplified in the case of Bannister v Freemans, a case brought by Fieldfisher's Dushal Mehta.
Master Eastman, the Master in charge of the Mesothelioma List in the Royal Courts of Justice in London, recognised that nearly all mesothelioma cases across the country are issued in London. He has seen fewer cases where proceedings have been issued and wondered if it was a consequence of COVID or other causes.
Professor Peter Szlosarek discussed new treatment opportunities for mesothelioma, including immunotherapy, new forms of chemotherapy and other novel treatments, holding out a note of optimism for the future. He presented the case study of Fieldfisher client Pamela Stubberfield whose painful deterioration was reversed by immunotherapy.
Barrister Jonathan Butters assisted Rob Weir QC in representing Graham Dring on behalf of the Asbestos Forum in a claim against Cape for access to documents that had come to light in the Concept 70 Product Liability litigation. Fieldfisher acted for the injured Claimant in that case. The 'legal background' included Bussey v Anglia Heating brought by Peter Williams. He then gave a general update on asbestos cases including Peter's Court of Appeal case of Head v Culver and Dushal's Court of Appeal case of Witham v Hill.
Our motto at Fieldfisher continues to be 'caring for our clients - commitment to our cases - cutting edge expertise'. It was gratifying to see so much of our hard work reflected back by so many of the speakers at such an important conference.