You can plan for many things in life, but no-one can prepare for receiving a diagnosis of terminal illness. When the unexpected happens, it can be hard to know where to turn or what to do next, which is why we’re here, to protect what matters most.
Everyone needs a lawyer at some time in their lives. When his clients needed support with achieving justice for their exposure to dangerous substances, they contacted our expert in asbestos-related disease claims expert, Satpal Singh.
Satpal has been committed to achieving justice for people living with asbestos-related diseases for 19 years, and in his career has been involved in several high profile and landmark cases that have set the precedent for protecting mesothelioma sufferers throughout the country.
He's extremely proud of the fact he’s led not one, but two cases to the Supreme Court. Most lawyers rarely step inside the Supreme Court in their career, so he describes it as a huge honour to be able to play an important role in changing the law for the benefit of mesothelioma patients across the country.
We spoke to Satpal to find out more about his two most memorable cases.
McDonald v National Grid
One of my clients was Percy McDonald, a lorry driver who was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2012. Mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos fibres. Mr McDonald never worked with asbestos – his work involved driving to Battersea Power Station to collect waste products.
The first claim from my client was dismissed by the court on the basis that his exposure to asbestos was of a ‘modest level’ and not likely to be a health risk. The defendant, National Grid Electricity, argued that Mr McDonald was not entitled to any compensation as he was a courier, and not employed by the site. We appealed this, and the Supreme Court accepted our arguments that the law shouldn't be restricted or exclude certain workers from protection and legal rights in relation to asbestos exposure.
Mr McDonald was very passionate about his case, and felt it was his duty to take it to the Supreme Court so that all legal issues could be finally decided. He hoped that this would ensure that workers and their families had certainty about their legal rights.
His case was the first and only asbestos case to reach the Supreme Court on an expedited basis and did so in less than 8 months.
My client passed away in February 2014, just before the appeal was due to be heard by the Supreme Court, where a majority of three judges to two ruled in favour of him.
IEG v Zurich
In another case, I led the arguments against the insurance industry as a whole, to ensure those that have suffered from asbestos exposure can get full compensation fast, instead of facing lengthy delays and partial payments.
The outcome of this case was critical, because it helps to ensure that sufferers of mesothelioma can access swift compensation in order to pay for treatments like immunotherapy. With access to early compensation, mesothelioma patients can access treatments like immunotherapy that can stabilise their symptoms and slow the growth of the tumour.
A decision the other way would have undermined the position of not just our clients at Irwin Mitchell, but sufferers throughout the country, and established law in favour of the insurance industry.
It’s a huge honour to be able to help pave the way for better outcomes for those who have suffered from mesothelioma, and their families.
More memorable moments
Look out for another of our lawyers detailing a memorable case in the next edition of this article.
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