Imagine | Winter 2025
A digital magazine from Irwin Mitchell
Imagine | Winter 2025 A digital magazine from Irwin Mitchell
Imagine | Winter 2025
A digital magazine from Irwin Mitchell
Terry Cowell was diagnosed with mesothelioma in February 2019. Finding out he had the life-limiting, asbestos-related illness, was a lot to deal with.
Terry’s particularly grateful for the legal support he’s received along the way. Despite initial reservations about bringing a claim, he talks about the sense of relief the settlement has brought him, as well as other benefits he didn’t expect. He sat down with his solicitor, our legal expert, Nicola Handley, to reflect on his experience.
By sharing his story, he hopes to help others navigate their own diagnoses and give them hope for the future.
Terry was the also the President of the Members of the Fish Fryer Federation
How did you feel when you received your diagnosis?
“I’m normally a very jolly person but all I could think about was how I was going to tell the girls and the lads at work. I live with my wife Karen, and we have two daughters, Melanie and Emma. I have a granddaughter, Millie, and a great-granddaughter, Daisy. It felt quite overwhelming having to deal with how I felt about the diagnosis at the same time as worrying about how it would impact my friends and family.
“Me and Karen spent some time looking online. When I think about it now, I wish we hadn’t. It was all doom and gloom and gave us more to worry about. Life quickly became a whirlwind of appointments and discussions.
“I was told that mesothelioma is related to asbestos exposure. And having spent my early years working as a central heating engineer, removing, and installing heating systems and stripping boilers and asbestos lagging from pipework, I knew this was the cause of this disease.”
How has life changed for you since the diagnosis of mesothelioma?
“The diagnosis changed my life significantly. It’s difficult to describe the impact it’s had.
“At the time, I was working in my own business. We manufactured and sold fish frying ranges across the country. I loved working in the industry and travelling the country meeting various fish and chip shop owners. The job was sociable and gave me real purpose. I was very proud of what I’d achieved.
“I decided to sell the business, which made me feel a bit lost at first. Thankfully, I get on well with the new owners and I still go in once a week.”
“Karen and I loved travelling abroad. Being out and about was a huge part of our life. We soon realised that it would be hard to visit faraway places that might not have medical support if I became unwell or was undergoing treatment. Over time, we’ve found other ways of enjoying life, and we still try to get away in the UK and places closer to home when we can.
“I also enjoy playing golf and would often spend five hours a day walking round the golf course. Whilst I can’t do this anymore, I got a golf buggy so I can still play.”
Your world can shrink after diagnosis of mesothelioma.
Terry
Terry with his cream tea at Clatterbridge Clinic.
What treatment have you had since your diagnosis and how have you coped with it?
“I initially had six cycles of chemotherapy which was the first line standard treatment option at the time. I found it bearable at first, but I became anaemic and had to have a blood transfusion.
“Things started to improve after that, and everything was going great. I started doing a bit of work for the new business owner. It was fantastic to have a bit of normality back in my life.
“In December 2019 I was told that the mesothelioma had started to grow again and that there were no other treatment options for me. I felt like someone had hit me with a hammer. I was miserable and became very quiet - as Karen would say, a bit grumpy.
“Thankfully I had a lot of support from my family, Nicola, the asbestos charity SARAG, and Messy, the Mesothelioma UK support group in Yorkshire.
“Being able to access the knowledge and experience of others gave me the insight and inspiration to carry on. I realised that private treatment might be an option for me and around the same time, the Defendant admitted responsibility in my legal claim. I met with an oncologist at the Clatterbridge Clinic, and he recommended that I start immunotherapy treatment.
“I had my first cycle of Nivolumab, which is an immunotherapy drug, in May 2020. It was a scary time. I didn’t know whether it would work but I felt positive because I was doing something to stop the disease from progressing. Four years on, I had my 50th cycle of Nivolumab. The nurses gave me scones and jam to celebrate how far I’ve come.
“My treatment path has not always been easy. I have had some side effects particularly with skin problems and fatigue, but I have tried to deal with these as best as I can. Karen’s great at finding solutions and speaking to the clinicians on my behalf. We both remain hopeful for the future, that treatment can continue, and options remain open to me.”
How has legal support made a difference to you and your family?
“The legal support that I’ve had from Nicola and her team at Irwin Mitchell has been amazing. It’s given me a confidence that I didn’t know I needed and reassurance that someone is supporting me now and in the future.
“The team ensured that my settlement provided funds for treatment. They also introduced me to other professionals, patients, and organisations where I can share my experiences and challenges. I take great comfort in knowing that I’m not alone and that I have support from others to help me get through this.”
Did you ever have doubts about seeking legal advice?
“Solicitors can be a pain in the neck and either not contact you when you need them or contact you too much. It’s never been like that with Nicola, she’s a true professional and really cares about you and always has time to listen.
“The legal process was so much easier than I anticipated. Both Karen and I felt relief once the claim was settled because we knew that I had financial support for the care and treatment I’d need going forward. Nicola and the team stay in touch and they’re always happy to help with any queries or support that I may need, even if it’s not related to the claim.”
I wasn’t sure whether seeking financial compensation was the right thing to do. However, I’m forever grateful that I did.
“There are lots of different reasons why people feel reluctant to start a legal claim after they’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma. It can feel like a lot of work and people are worried that they will have to go to a solicitor’s office and fill in lots of forms when they need to focus on their treatment. If they’re not sure where they were exposed to asbestos, can’t remember some of their work history, didn’t work in an industry that’s known for asbestos, or they feel worried about getting anyone into trouble, these can also be barriers to starting a claim for compensation.
“When Terry instructed us, there was some uncertainty about how his asbestos exposure occurred. He also had a lot to deal with regarding his diagnosis. My main objective was to lighten his load and support him as much as possible while thoroughly investigating the civil claim.
“Compensation can be so much more than a lump sum settlement. Making a claim can give you and your family financial security if you’ve had to give up work following your diagnosis and can include funds for private treatment and medical care, now and if you need it in the future.
“It’s always incredibly rewarding to settle a claim, but more importantly to know our clients trust that we are with them, providing expert advice and unwavering support throughout their journey and beyond.
“It’s been a privilege to support Terry and Karen on their legal journey and every time I see them, I’m always so pleased to see how well Terry is doing and to hear how Terry and Karen are still living their lives together.”
Nicola Handley – Senior Associate Solicitor, Asbestos-related Disease
How has attending a support group benefited you and your family?
“I’ve been a member of Messy since my diagnosis. It’s run by our local Mesothelioma UK nurse, Simon Bolton.
“Simon’s fantastic in his role and supports everybody in the group. There are lots of different people, different characters, all at different stages of their mesothelioma journey, but he has time for everyone.
“We have a WhatsApp group so we can stay in contact with each other, share experiences and celebrate the milestones, whether that be another cycle completed, a birthday, or a trip abroad.
“When new people join the group, you can see the concern on their face and when they walk out the room you can physically see them more relaxed and relieved that they’re not alone. I’m grateful to be able to help others and talk to them about my diagnosis and my treatment because I know it gives them hope for the future.”
Terry with Simon and others at a MESSY picnic to mark Action Mesothelioma Day.
What advice would you give someone who has recently been diagnosed with mesothelioma?
“I’d suggest that they reach out to their local Mesothelioma UK nurse and join a support group. I’d also advise them to talk to other people in the same position.
“It’s important to include your family members in learning more about the disease, care options and other things you can do. I know that being part of the mesothelioma community means a lot to Karen as well. She gets a lot from attending the group with me.”
And finally, what are you looking forward to in the future?
“I want to enjoy living my life for as long as I can with my family and friends. Maybe a few more holidays and a couple of rounds of golf wouldn’t be bad as well.”
Legal Support
If you or a loved one’s been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, and you need support and guidance, please reach out to our caring and professional team.