UK Mesothelioma Case Watched Worldwide

December 19, 2005

In a case being closely watched around the world a young father of three in the United Kingdom died after his asbestos related mesothelioma cancer spread throughout his body.

Barry Welch, of Leicester, who was 32 at the time of his death, left behind his wife Claire and their daughters Natasha, 12, Samantha, 10, and Letitia, who was 7-years-old. Welch had been battling mesothelioma for the past 11 months after succumbing to the disease in April.

The particulars of the case are complicated and are likely to create new asbestos lawsuit precedents around the world. Welch apparently contracted his mesothelioma from playing on his stepfather's knees after the man came home from work. The stepfather had worked around high concentrations of asbestos as a scaffolder at a power station.

A lawsuit is expected to be filed in the case, but it would be the first known case where asbestos related mesothelioma was linked to a child's exposure on another person. Welch is the UK's youngest ever victim of mesothelioma and is likely one of the youngest in the world.

Welch lived with his mother and stepfather in a one-room apartment in Chatham. The stepfather would often come home covered in dust from the factory and relax with Welch before cleaning up. Both Welch's mother and stepfather are still alive and are expected to add significant testimony in the case.

Adrian Budgen, a lawyer representing the family who is experienced in handling mesothelioma related lawsuits, will try the case. Budgen has particular experience in trying cases related to wives of workers who developed the fatal cancer. Asbestos was long used throughout the world in many building materials, fireproofing, and insulation. Asbestos exposure is related to the development of a rare and often fatal cancer called mesothelioma.

As part of the Welch's case, their lawyer must prove a complicated situation, that the father had been exposed to the asbestos because of the negligence of the company he worked for, and that the young Barry was also exposed because of the company's negligence.

The death toll from mesothelioma is expected to climb in the next ten years. Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose until it is too late, and often takes decades to develop.

Contact us for more information on asbestos laws and your legal rights.

More Asbestos Law News....