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News Desk | News Story
15th January 2008
Maureen Chaplin, 64, from Chopwell is a Gateshead Councillor for the Chopwell and Rowlands Gill constituency.
She was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lung, in February 2007.
Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos and can take decades before the symptoms occur.
There is no cure for the disease and many patients live just a few months after they are diagnosed.
Maureen, who has two daughters and three grandchildren, believes she was exposed to asbestos while working as a nursing assistant for Prudhoe Hospital from 1971 to 1979. At the time the hospital was a residential home for mentally handicapped patients.
Maureen recalls she was exposed to asbestos present in the buildings she worked in at the hospital premises.
She is now pursuing a claim for compensation from her former employers.
Maureen said: “When I was told I had mesothelioma I had never heard of the disease. I had never even considered the fact that I had been exposed to asbestos until then. To then be informed that I had developed an incurable cancer was extremely upsetting for me and my family.
“Prior to February 2007 I was extremely fit and active and didn’t even feel ill until the breathlessness started.
“I have always had a lot of energy and could always step up another gear if I needed to. Now I am unable to do this anymore and find myself extremely restricted by my condition.”
Maureen has undergone chemotherapy with life extending drug Alimta and is currently undertaking her council duties.
Maureen’s lawyers, Thompsons Solicitors, are keen to speak to anyone who worked with Maureen at the Prudhoe hospital between 1971 and 1979. They are also interested in speaking to any workmen involved in renovation work at the hospital at any time during or since the 1970s, or any of the contractors who stripped out asbestos from the site in later years.
Client representative at Thompsons Solicitors, Tony Hood, said: “Many people mistakenly believe mesothelioma is a disease which only affects elderly men who previously worked in heavy industry or construction.
“However we are now seeing an increasing number of tragic cases where asbestos has devastated the lives of women, like Mrs Chaplin.
“It is important we build up an accurate picture of Mrs Chaplin’s time at Prudhoe Hospital, and the work that was carried out there over the years.
“We need local people to contact us who have worked at the hospital to help us advise Mrs Chaplin and her family. If anyone has any details which they think may assist please get in touch with us.”
Anyone with any information should contact Tony Hood at Thompsons Solicitors on 0191 269 0488.
If you or someone you know has developed an asbestos related disease, telephone us now for accurate claim advice.
There are strict time limits in place to make any injury claim including claims for asbestos related illness compensation. For further information, contact us or visit our Questions Answered page.
Thompsons Solicitors are experts in all personal injury matters. We will be able to advise you whether or not you have a valid claim for compensation. Our specialist personal injury lawyers will be happy to talk you through the process of making a claim in plain English and will be happy to answer any questions or queries you may have. If you do have a valid personal injury compensation claim and you decide to instruct Thompsons Solicitors to deal with the matter for you, we will recover our legal fees from the person responsible for your injury, ensuring that the entire procedure is cost-free for you. Telephone us now on 08000 224 224 or complete one of our online compensation claim forms.