Personal injury advice from
Thompsons Solicitors
Mesothelioma Claim for Former Asbestos Factory Worker
27th June 2011
In a recent industrial disease case, we recovered compensation for a man suffering from the asbestos-related cancer, mesothelioma.
Exposed to Asbestos by Employer
For the majority of his working life our client did not have any contact with asbestos, as he worked predominantly in shops or office environments and spent some time working as a security guard. For a short period soon after he left school however, namely one week, he was employed at an asbestos factory.
There were significant quantities of asbestos dust in the area where he was working and he would often find that the work surfaces and his clothes were covered in it during a shift and he would have to brush them off. There were no adequate ventilation or extraction systems within the factory to prevent this.
Only a teenager at the time, our client was not provided with any personal protective equipment to prevent him from inhaling the hazardous asbestos fibres and he was never made aware of the danger to his health.
Industrial Illness
After he retired our client, a widower, began to experience pain in his chest and back and tests showed he was suffering from mesothelioma. Being diagnosed with this fatal illness was devastating for our client. As a previously fit and active man he fully expected to live a long life and his prognosis is a source of constant worry.
Because of the progressing symptoms of his asbestos-related disease, our client is no longer able to enjoy his hobby of walking as he did before and he has become reliant on taxis for transport. He previously took care of his home himself but now requires help from friends and family with shopping, gardening and walking his dog and has to employ a cleaner. It is likely that he will eventually require 24 hour care.
Compensation Claim
The claimant appointed our expert lawyers to pursue a compensation claim on his behalf. We approached his former employer and put forward a claim, on the grounds that he should not have been contracted to work in such conditions, however they refused to accept responsibility. We therefore commenced Court proceedings and the Judge, at a preliminary hearing, agreed with our submissions that they were liable.
We obtained an interim payment for our client, to assist him with his needs until a final settlement could be agreed upon, then entered into negotiations with the other side. After rejecting their initial offer, we were able to secure a total of over £125,000 in compensation for our client. We recognise the importance of acting swiftly and efficiently in mesothelioma cases and this case was settled less than 10 months after we received instructions.
Asbestos Compensation Claims
If you or a member of your family is suffering from an asbestos-related illness, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis or pleural thickening, you may be entitled to compensation.
At The Legal Line, our lawyers have decades of experience in recovering damages for the innocent victims of industrial diseases and we can provide you with the best possible legal advice. Contact us on 0800 0328511, or by completing a claim enquiry form online.
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