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Joanne Candlish – Asbestos compensation solicitor
Asbestos compensation solicitor – Liverpool
A highly experienced industrial disease compensation solicitor, Joanne has for several years focused on asbestos-related compensation claims. Based in our Liverpool office, Joanne has represented clients across the North West of England and is a member of our North West Region specialist asbestos team.
A typical caseload for Joanne consists of complex, high value, multiple defendant asbestos-related disease cases. Much of Joanne’s work involves asbestos-related lung cancer and the fatal asbestos-related disease, mesothelioma. In the case of mesothelioma, once her client has received the diagnosis, their life expectancy is cut drastically short. Knowing this, Joanne works hard and strives to obtain the maximum compensation for the victim and their family, within their lifetime. Sadly, this is not always possible, and in these circumstances, Joanne will continue to work on behalf of the family to achieve just compensation for their loss.
Established to provide a fast and efficient procedure for such cases, Joanne’s caseload is dealt with almost exclusively in the Royal Courts of Justice under the specialist accelerated mesothelioma procedure (Senior Master Whitaker’s Mesothelioma Fast Track procedure). This involves pro-active, no-nonsense case management with strict timelines, and Joanne aims to deal with any case within a few months under this process. This enables Joanne to obtain the substantial compensation justly due to her clients within their lifetime, giving them and their families the knowledge that they will be financially secure after their death.
Where possible Joanne will use her strong negotiating skills to obtain a successful outcome for her client. However, if the other side refuse to accept liability, or are unwilling to offer a sum in compensation that she feels is appropriate, Joanne will not hesitate to issue court proceedings in order to bring the claim for asbestos-related compensation to a successful and fair conclusion.
Joanne’s passionate approach to achieving justice for injured people has earned her the respect of her peers and her “can do” attitude provides those that she works with, and mentors, not only with a positive influence, but also with someone who can be relied upon to assist whenever requested.
This approach and dependability led to Joanne’s involvement in a high profile action. This involved a group of test actions brought by families on behalf of their relatives who have died of mesothelioma, together with some solvent employers and one insurer. The employers and insurer argued that any compensation should be paid by the insurance companies who insured the employers at the time of exposure, rather than, as those insurers argued, at the time of the development of mesothelioma, when often the company concerned no longer exists so there is no insurer to pay the claim.
Referred to as the Trigger case (the point at which liability to indemnify under the policy was triggered), the High Court found in favour of the claimants but the insurers appealed and the Court of Appeal decision is currently awaited. What ever the outcome the fight is likely to go all the way to the Supreme Court for the final decision.
Joanne receives many letters of thanks from grateful clients each year, and her successful asbestos-related compensation cases are frequently reported in both the local and national press to help raise awareness of asbestos related issues . She will utilise all these strengths and experience to ensure you and your family receive the maximum compensation to which you are entitled.
Through her work with victims of asbestos exposure, Joanne has built strong relationships with all the Asbestos Victim Support Groups in her area, and regularly participates in events and meetings to continue to improve public awareness of the plight of asbestos victims and of the danger that exposure to asbestos dust still poses from negligent employers.
Passionate about the rights and interests of injured people, Joanne is also involved in Hope not Hate and regularly campaigns on their behalf.
Joanne is a Senior Litigator member of APIL (The Association of Personal Injury Lawyers)
Successful asbestos-related disease compensation claims
Here are just a couple of examples of asbestos-related cases that Joanne has successfully concluded.
Asbestos-related compensation claim – Mesothelioma
Joanne’s client had been diagnosed as suffering from the fatal asbestos-related disease, mesothelioma. Although the case was issued for hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice, Joanne was able to secure £400,000 in mesothelioma compensation for her client during his lifetime, and before the court hearing. However, this was not until she had advised the client to reject an earlier offer, which she believed did not reflect the losses and suffering of her client and his family.
During the claim process, Joanne was also able to secure a substantial sum as an interim payment, which went towards allowing her client to enjoy what time was left to him without the worry of how his family would manage after his death. Joanne’s hard work enabled her to conclude this asbestos-related compensation claim within her client’s lifetime, although sadly he died shortly afterwards.
His exposure to asbestos had taken place many years earlier when he had worked in close proximity to laggers who undertook the task of removing asbestos lagging from pipework. They also swept up the dry dust and debris, which caused clouds of the dust to be thrown up into the atmosphere. Joanne’s client was never warned about the dangers of exposure to asbestos, nor provided with any respiratory protection.
Asbestos-related disease – Mesothelioma compensation claim
Joanne was able to secure mesothelioma compensation for this client within four months of receiving instructions. Fortunately, the defendant did not deny liability and although she recommended rejection of an initial offer, Joanne was able to utilise her strong negotiating skills to first secure two substantial interim payments, and then to achieve an acceptable sum in compensation for her client, all without the need to issue court proceedings.
This quick conclusion meant that her client was able to enjoy what time was left to him with his family, knowing that their financial situation after his death was secure.
Joanne’s client had first exhibited symptoms of losing weight and becoming breathless in 2009. Following x-rays, CT scan and several other procedures, he was diagnosed with mesothelioma. He then underwent sessions of both radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
A professional and highly qualified man, her client had worked in a range of industrial plants for the same employer during his working life. Although he had not worked directly with asbestos, he had been exposed to asbestos dust through his close proximity to laggers who were replacing lagging on pipes around the plant.
The asbestos became old, damaged, and needed replacing with new asbestos lagging, made by mixing asbestos powder with water in the workplace. This, coupled with the dry sweeping of the asbestos dust and debris, caused clouds of asbestos in the atmosphere, which Joanne’s client was forced to inhale. Although he was provided with masks for many of his own work activities, he was never provided with them as protection against asbestos, nor was he ever warned about the dangers posed by exposure to asbestos.
Comments from grateful asbestos-related clients
Below is just a sample of the many letters of thanks that Joanne receives each year.
“Thank you very much for the kind and caring manner in which you dealt so efficiently with our claim. What was a difficult situation for us was made easier with your professional guidance.”
Recipient of mesothelioma compensation which Joanne secured within his lifetime.
“I would like to thank you and all your colleagues who have done so much hard work involved in … claim for compensation. I know he would have been most grateful, as I am,with the outcome. His wish, of course, was just to be well, but he would be pleased to know that I have been helped.”
Widow of mesothelioma victim who sadly died before compensation was received
“Thank you and your team for all the hard work you all did for my case, myself and my family really appreciate all that you did”
Mesothelioma victim for whom Joanne secured substantial compensation during his lifetime
“I am pleased to say I have been very happy with the service provided by Joanne Candlish and staff …. I have been very impressed with her sympathetic approach, professionalism and total commitment in the very complicated research necessary to bring my case to a satisfactory conclusion”
Mesothelioma victim for whom Joanne secured substantial asbestos-related compensation during his lifetime.
“Just to say thank you I know you say it is just your job for me you did more. I do not find it easy to talk and you have been there when I needed a friend.”
Widow of a worker negligently exposed to asbestos who subsequently developed asbestos-related lung cancer. She received compensation after his death.
”…You have dealt with the whole case with such care and consideration to the way we were feeling that your duties as a solicitor far exceeded the service we expected, you obviously care a great deal for the people you represent and feel very passionately about the work you do……You are truly a credit to your firm and more people like you are needed to fight for people who have and are suffering through no fault of their own.”
Daughter of mesothelioma victim who sadly died before Joanne was able to conclude his claim for asbestos-related compensation.
”Thank you for your excellent service and the wonderful result you got for me”
Widow of worker who died from asbestos-related lung cancer.
Excellent service from Joanne and Suzanne (Liverpool office) and Caroline (M'cr office) who all dealt with the claim in a professional and caring manner.
Widow whose husband died as a result of asbestos-related lung cancer.
Making an asbestos-related compensation claim
Clear Answers' lawyers have won important decisions in the highest courts in the UK for asbestos victims and have a proven commitment to their rights.
You will receive 100% of the compensation awarded if you do have a valid personal injury compensation claim and you decide to instruct Clear Answers to deal with the matter for you.
We will recover our legal fees from the person responsible for your personal injury, ensuring that the entire procedure is cost-free for yourself. Telephone us now on 0800 783 9019 or complete one of our online compensation claim forms, and a representative will contact you as soon as possible.
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