24 October 2005

Thompsons Solicitors, the UK’s leading personal injury law firm, is marking the opening of its Chelmsford office on 28th October with free legal advice surgeries for local residents. Senior solicitors will be available at Grosvenor House, 53 New London Road, Chelmsford on the following dates - 12 November, 26 November and 10 December between 10am and 1pm to offer advice on any aspect of legal rights in respect of personal injury and disease.

The team is currently involved in a number of leading cases for victims of asbestos diseases and workplace injuries. No booking is required; local residents are invited to simply turn up and meet with some of the most experienced personal injury lawyers in Essex and East Anglia.

Branch manager Karen Mitchell explains: "We have a long and proud history of working with injured people across Essex and East Anglia. Over the years, we’ve gained unparalleled experience, handling thousands of cases for people suffering from minor injuries to catastrophic injuries and all manner of industrial diseases including asbestos related diseases. We want to make this experience and support available to everyone locally."

Harlow MP Bill Rammell, the Minister of State at the Department for Education and Skills, will attend Friday's official opening of Thompsons Chelmsford. He comments: "Thompsons' reputation for fighting on behalf of injured people is unrivalled. The firm's commitment has seen it win many legal landmarks that have established new rights for people to claim for industrial injuries and disease - including asbestos related diseases. Many Chelmsford residents hail from Dagenham and their lives have been, sometimes tragically, blighted by the legacy of Harts Lane Cape factory there. I am delighted that they now have such legal expertise on their door step to deal with such issues."

Thompsons’ clients include the family of Brian Pammen, who recently died from the asbestos cancer mesothelioma.

The need for such local legal services is underlined by a recent nationwide survey carried out by the firm which reveals that workers in East Anglia and Essex are unaware of their rights to claim compensation for injury and disease caused by work. More than 88% of employees canvassed in the region believe that more should be done to inform workers of their rights to claim if employer negligence has caused them to be injured.

78% of those questioned agreed that employers should always continue to be responsible for compensating former employees for injury or death as some conditions, for example asbestos related diseases, may not appear for many years.

The survey also reveals that 76% of the workers believe that the legal system and the courts are too intimidating. They feel that the system should be improved to make it easier for employees to gain compensation for work-related injury or disability.

The team can be contacted at Grosvenor House, 53 New London Road, Chelmsford, CM2 OND. Tel: 08000 224 224