- 05 Dec 2023
- •
- 3 min read
New mesothelioma statistics make tough reading
New statistics presented by the Health & Safety Executive in 2023 show the mesothelioma mortality rates for England and Wales from 2012 to the end of 2021. While there has been a substantial reduction in deaths recently, the statistics still make tough reading.
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that takes many years to develop following the inhalation of asbestos fibres but is usually rapidly fatal following symptom onset. Annual deaths in Britain have increased steeply over the last 50 years, with many deaths attributed to past occupational asbestos exposures because of the widespread industrial use of asbestos during 1950-1980.
- There were 2,268 mesothelioma deaths in Great Britain in 2021. This is a fall of 302 compared with the 2,570 deaths in 2020, and substantially lower than the average of 2520 deaths per year over period 2012 to 2019.
- The substantial reduction in deaths in 2021 remains consistent with earlier projections that annual deaths would fall gradually during the 2020s. Increased variability in the figures for 2020 and 2021 may have been caused by various factors associated with the coronavirus pandemic.
- There were 1,867 male deaths in 2021 compared with 2,103 in 2020 and an average of 2107 deaths per year over the period 2012-2019.
- There were 401 female deaths in 2021 compared with 467 in 2020 and an average of 416 deaths per year over the period 2012-2019. Predictions for females suggest that there will continue be 400-500 deaths per year during the 2020s.
- Figures for 2020 and 2021 may have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic. This could include direct effects (individuals with mesothelioma dying earlier than otherwise due to also developing COVID-19), indirect effects on health services and effects on systems for recording and certifying deaths.
- Around two thirds of annual deaths for both males and females now occur in those aged over 75 years. Annual deaths in this age group continue to increase while deaths below age 65 are decreasing.
- There were 1,920 new cases of mesothelioma assessed for Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) in 2021 of which 325 were female. This compares with 1,910 new cases in 2020, of which 280 were female.
- Men who worked in the building industry when asbestos was used extensively in the past continue to be most at risk of mesothelioma.
John Hall, an asbestos specialist, Partner, and Head of Personal Injury at Trethowans LLP says:
“I have been acting for the victims of asbestos disease for almost thirty years. During that time, there was always hope that the number of mesothelioma victims would tail off by the early 2000s. That just hasn’t happened and there is still so much more we need to do to help victims and their families. The cases are always hard, and there is an absolute to with the need to instruct experienced and effective solicitors as soon as asbestos disease is raised by treating doctors. As well as fighting hard for compensation for victims of asbestos disease, and their families, in the shortest possible time, we will also make immediate steps to obtain state benefits and payments under various government schemes.”
Why choose Trethowans?
Our mesothelioma claims solicitors are proud to offer legal help for mesothelioma claims on a ‘no win, no fee’ basis. We also will not deduct a success fee from your mesothelioma compensation, so you always receive the full amount you are owed.
You can arrange a consultation with John at any of our legal offices in Poole, Bournemouth, Poole, Salisbury, Southampton, Winchester or London, or he is happy to travel and meet you at your home if you would prefer. Get in touch with John today regarding mesothelioma claims on 023 8082 0526.
