Damages for people exposed to asbestos
Thompsons Solicitors, which has offices across the UK, including in London, Liverpool, Newcastle and Manchester has successfully obtained the damages on behalf of people who were exposed to asbestos by the asbestos manufacturer Turner & Newall (T&N).
T&N, owned by American company Federal Mogul, had factories across the UK, including in Washington, Rochdale, Widnes and Trafford Park.
T&N was responsible for exposing thousands of its workers to asbestos dust. Many went on to develop asbestos related diseases including the fatal lung cancer mesothelioma.
Minutes from T&N’s board meetings show the company knew about the risk asbestos posed to employees for decades but they did not do enough to protect them.
Compensation Claims were frozen
T&N went into administration in 2001 and all compensation claims against the company were frozen until administrators reached an agreement with T&N’s insurers and parent company Federal Mogul.
During the six year wait for compensation it was reported that more than 100 former employees died from asbestos related diseases.
Last year the embargo on claims was lifted and victims and their families were finally able to receive a share of their entitled awards.
Now Thompsons Solicitors, who have campaigned for the best possible deal for T&N asbestos victims, has helped 51 families obtain compensation totalling around £2m.
The firm continues to pursue claims for compensation for other victims and their families.
Husband died from Mesothelioma
Among those helped by Thompsons was a widow, who does not wish to be named, from Bolton who received £218,000 in compensation from the trustees of Turner and Newall (T&N) after her husband died from mesothelioma.
It was one of the biggest payments received by family members of those who have died from exposure to asbestos at T&N’s factories across the country.
Her husband died from lung cancer mesothelioma in August 2001 after being exposed to asbestos as a 16-year-old apprentice at T&N’s Wigan factory.
Ian McFall, head of asbestos policy at Thompsons Solicitors, said: “Turner & Newall exposed thousands of people to asbestos across the UK. We have been engaged in one of the longest running and most difficult battles to obtain compensation for those who are suffering or have died from asbestos related disease following exposure at T&N’s factories and elsewhere.
“Many victims have died while waiting for compensation payments.
“Since the T&N Trust fund was approved in 2007 we have successfully completed cases for 51 families who between them have received compensation payments totalling around £2 million.
“We are still working on behalf of many others to ensure they receive the compensation they are entitled to. I am glad that the struggle is over, or nearing an end, for many families affected and that for others their claims will be finalised soon.”
Asbestos disease diagnosis? Talk to us for advice and support on how to secure compensation.
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, we can support you with advice on how to make a claim.
The process will be explained in plain English and with no obligation – our priority is to provide you with the best, expert advice on whether you have a valid case for compensation, and to signpost you to further sources of support.
There are strict time limits applied to making a claim – usually three years from the date of diagnosis. It doesn’t matter if the exposure to asbestos took place – as it often does – decades ago, the three year time limit applies to the date of knowledge of diagnosis or date of death.
For further information, visit our How to Make A Compensation Claim page.