Campaigners have said that a landmark ruling by the Supreme Court may bring a flood of new asbestos claims made by victims who were just schoolchildren at the time they were exposed to it.
It comes after the family of Dianne Willmore were awarded £240,000 by the Supreme Court following her death from mesothelioma, which was caused by exposure to asbestos in roof tiles when she was a pupil in Knowsley during the 1970s. It is the first time that damages have been paid to a school pupil or her family as a result of asbestos.
Asbestos fibres cause damage when disturbed as the fibres can be inhaled in the lungs leading to diseases such as mesothelioma; its most deadly forms were often found in the large number of quickly built post war schools from the 1960s and 70s. Campaigners say that the number of teachers dying from the disease has increased five-fold since 1980 and they are expecting a large increase in the number of former pupils who also fall victim to the disease. The rise in the number of deaths is explained by the fact that mesothelioma often takes decades to manifest itself.
Christine Blower of the national Union of Teachers said: “This case is of great significance since it is the first time that a former pupil has been awarded compensation for asbestos exposure which took place whilst at school. We hope it will act as a wake-up call for local authorities and other employers to improve asbestos management in schools.”