Thursday, May 09, 2013

Welcome commitment to help Mesothelioma victims in Queens Speech

Digby Brown has welcomed the announcement in the Queen’s Speech that the UK Government will introduce legislation to help people suffering from an asbestos-related cancer who currently cannot claim compensation because no liable insurer can be identified.

The Mesothelioma Bill, details of which were announced in yesterday’s speech outlining the UK Government’s programme for the next Parliament, would establish a payment scheme for people diagnosed with Diffuse Mesothelioma after 25th July 2012, who were negligently exposed to asbestos and where their employer or employers’ liability insurance company cannot be traced. Payments would be funded through a levy on live Employers’ Liability insurers.

Last year, Digby Brown welcomed the announcement by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) of an Employers’ Liability Insurance Bureau scheme for mesothelioma claims and called on the DWP to amend the scheme to cover victims of other asbestos-related conditions. 

Digby Brown has represented thousands of people who have suffered the consequences of being negligently exposed to asbestos during their working lives and works closely with organisations such as Asbestos Action Tayside, who provide essential support and advice to individuals and families affected by an asbestos-related condition.

Fraser Simpson, Head of Digby Brown’s Industrial Disease department, said:

“Asbestos-related conditions such as asbestosis, diffuse pleural thickening, asbestos-related lung cancer and mesothelioma are not illnesses of the 1950s, they are real conditions which affect thousands of people across Scotland in the 21st century. 

“Far too many sufferers have been unable to claim compensation for horrible illnesses they developed due to lack of care on the part of their employers, simply by going to work over the years, because of difficulties identifying liable insurers. The scheme is an attempt to correct past failures of the insurance industry to maintain records of insurance at the time when the greatest levels of asbestos exposure was taking place. This bill is a welcome announcement which hopefully will help suffers of a particular condition -  Diffuse Mesothelioma – claim fair and appropriate compensation.

“As always, it remains to be seen how the scheme will operate and I look forward to seeing the details of the bill when it is introduced to parliament. In particular, although this is a UK-wide scheme, it is hoped that it will afford all bereaved family members the same legal remedies as are presently available under the law of Scotland where negligence is established and where an insurer is identified. I hope the bill will be brought forward quickly and enacted into law as soon as possible.  Parliament owes it to sufferers of Diffuse Mesothelioma to take action.

“Diffuse Mesothelioma is just one condition. I would hope this is just a first step to similar payment schemes allowing victims of other asbestos-related conditions to claim fair compensation.”

Friday, May 03, 2013

Head Injury Information Days 2013

Digby Brown have been helping people who have sustained a brain injury, and their families, for many years. We are committed to helping people through every stage of their recovery and work with a number of organisations across Scotland who provide invaluable advice and support

Since 2011, Digby Brown have sponsored Head Injury Information Day, a free one-day event bringing together organisations from the Brain Injury Network Group (BING) who support people with brain injuries and their families in the West of Scotland and further afield.

Twenty two organisations from third sector groups to local authorities, care providers and sports organisations were represented at last year’s event, with more expected to attend this year.  The event was attended by several hundred people.  The day is run by BING members and volunteers, led by Kathleen McMonagle, Client Support Manager and Head of our Welfare Rights team.

Following the success of Head Injury Information Day in Glasgow over the last two years, the inaugural Highland Head Information Day is being held in Inverness.

Details of the two events are below.

Head Injury Information Day – Inverness
Tuesday 14th May 2013: 11am to 2pm, Eden Court, Bishop's Rd Inverness IV3 5SA,

Click here to download a programme

Head Injury Information Day – Glasgow
Thursday 16th May 2013: 10am - 12.30pm and 2pm - 4pm, Grand Central Hotel (next to Central Station), 99 Gordon Street, Glasgow, G1 3SF

Click here to download a programme

Kathleen McMonagle said “Brain injury is often described as a ‘hidden disability’ which is often misunderstood and does not always get the attention it merits.  There are lots of resources and organisations who can help and Head Injury Information Day is a chance for anyone with an interest in the area to come and find out more.  I’m delighted that, following the success of the Glasgow event over the last two years, we’ve been able to organise the first Highland Head Injury Information Day.”

Please see below for feedback on last year’s Head Injury Information Day;

“The head info day was really fantastic, it was so well represented and really well organised. Found the presentations I sat through very interesting as well. The service users we brought along with us found it extremely informative. Was nice to see a few old faces of previous service users too!”

“It’s great that Digby Brown support head injury in the way you do.”

“Thanks again for Wednesday, my clients really enjoyed it and were all very impressed with all the exhibits on offer.”

“Everyone from Digby Brown made sure the day, especially the presentations, ran smoothly.  It was a fantastic day and everyone appeared to enjoy it.  Thank you again.”

“Great day, brilliant for networking and sharing ideas and issues; very worthwhile event and great for the future; well done”

Friday, April 26, 2013

Helping motorcyclists stay safe on the road

The current period is one when many motorcyclists will be taking to the road for the first time this year.  Our specialist motorcycle law team have a wealth of personal and professional experience of what motorcyclists can do, and what they need to be aware of, to stay safe.

On the Motorcycle Law Blog, the team discuss and share their experience of motorcycle law, road traffic, safety equipment, the importance of specialist legal advice and provide practical guidance on what to do if you are ever involved in an accident through no fault of your own.

The team blogged earlier this week about the importance of making sure you are seen while out on the road (see here and here) and have now put together a series of safety tips and advice. 

Visit the Motorcycle Law Blog to find out more.

You can also follow the team on Twitter @BikeLawScotland