Personal injury advice from
Thompsons Solicitors
Claim Against MoD for RAF Painter Exposed to Dangerous Chemicals
9th August 2010
A case has been brought against the Ministry of Defence by our expert personal injury lawyers, on behalf of a man left profoundly disabled because he was exposed to harmful chemicals during his time in the RAF.
Hazardous Working Conditions
Our client was involved in painting and finishing RAF aircraft leading up to the first Gulf War. His job involved working in large hangars, often for more than 12 hours per day, where aircraft were stripped of their original paint and repainted with specialist paints suitable for desert operations.
During this period he came into prolonged contact with a cocktail of hazardous chemical solvents, including trichloroethylene and dichloromethane which are known neurological toxins. Despite this, he was not provided with sufficient personal protective equipment and the ventilation systems in place were completely inadequate. This resulted in him being exposed to levels of the chemicals around 10 – 20 times the legal limits in a massive breach of health and safety regulations.
Chemicals Cause Damage to Brain
Previously a very fit and healthy man, our client’s health deteriorated and he was initially diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in the 1990s.
This diagnosis was later amended to multiple system atrophy however, a condition caused by the degeneration of nerve cells in certain areas of the brain. He has been left severely disabled by the condition, with symptoms including problems with his balance, movement and other bodily functions, and he requires lifelong, full-time care.
Injury Claim Against Ministry of Defence
Our lawyers are experts in all areas of personal injury, including military injury and industrial disease cases, so we were appointed to pursue a personal injury claim against the MoD on the injured man’s behalf.
The case went to trial and the defendants accepted that they had breached their duty of care towards our client, but denied that this caused his illness.
The Judge said that he had worked in ‘appalling Victorian conditions’ with a ‘potentially lethal cocktail’ of solvents and that, although there is limited evidence of the effects of these substances because so few people are exposed to high levels, it is known they can cause damage to the brain. He therefore found that, on the balance of probabilities, this was the likely cause of our client’s condition.
The Judge found in favour of our client and there will be a separate hearing to determine the amount of compensation he will receive.
Two other painters who worked in the same environment also became unwell with similar illnesses.
Industrial Disease Advice
If you or a member of your family has suffered an illness caused by exposure to hazardous substances in the workplace, you may be entitled to make an injury claim.
Contact The Legal Line on 0800 0328511, or by completing a claim enquiry form online, for cost free, confidential advice from our specialist lawyers.
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