Glasgow mum sues over asthma son, 7
HISTORIC: Richard MacKenzie is at the centre of a landmark legal case which could trigger huge claims from asthma sufferers
A SCHOOLBOY is at the centre of a landmark court case which could trigger huge compensation claims from asthma sufferers.
Linda MacKenzie, of Glasgow, blames damp conditions in her home for her son Richard's illness and is to sue her landlord in what will be the first legal case of its type in the UK.
She has obtained legal aid and is to take court action against Glasgow City Council and her new landlord, the Glasgow Housing Association.
Solicitors warn that if she succeeds the case is likely to lead to compensation claims of tens of thousands of pounds from asthma victims around the country.
Four more cases where residents are claiming conditions in their homes set off the life-threatening illness are under investigation by Govan Law Centre, which is backing Ms MacKenzie's claim.
Scotland has the worst asthma rate in the world, with almost 40% of teenagers and many adults suffering from the condition.
More than 1200 people with asthma die needlessly each year in the UK because their condition is not properly managed.
And Asthma UK, in a new report produced for World Asthma Day today, said the government must make the illness more of a priority.
Ms MacKenzie said she was in no doubt high levels of the faeces of house dust mites – they thrive in warm but damp conditions – are responsible for her son's suffering.
The dampness is clearly visible on the walls and woodwork of their home.
Every day Richard, 7, has to use two inhalers to help him breathe more easily.
Linda said: "He's very chesty. He cannot run about the same as other boys.
"He gets tired very quickly and gets frustrated because he cannot do things."
"I am convinced the environment in here has prompted it."
She added: "We had new windows installed and it was shortly after that you could see the dampness appearing.
"At the same time he started appearing not well.
"The other windows were more draughty. These are double-glazed and there is just less air getting in and out."
The case arose as Asthma UK marked World Asthma Day with a new report called Living on a Knife Edge.
The charity insists 90% of people who die from asthma could have survived if they had proper treatment to control their illness, and it has called for patients, the public and medics to be more aware of the risks of the illness.
It has also launched Asthma Attack Cards explaining how the public can help save the life of someone suffering an attack.
Its report claims that 500,000 people live with the constant fear that their next attack could kill them.
Marjory Burns, executive director of Asthma UK Scotland, said: "It is unacceptable that asthma still kills more than 100 people in Scotland each year.
"Over half of all people with asthma are living on a knife edge, coping from day to day, but living in fear and often isolation.They have to contend with the anxiety of repeated hospital admissions."
A report first published two months ago showed Scotland had the worst level of asthma in the world, with almost 40% of teenagers affected.