Diagnosed with Asbestos Related Cancer
A former asbestos worker from Barrow-in-Furness has received £70,000 in compensation after he was diagnosed with asbestos related cancer, mesothelioma.
The man, who does not wish to be named, was awarded compensation after he was exposed to asbestos while working as a lagger for Millers Insulation, Turner & Newalls and Vickers Shipyard.
He was diagnosed with fatal cancer of the lining of the lung, mesothelioma, in April this year. There is no cure for the disease which is caused by exposure to asbestos. Many sufferers die within months of diagnosis.
Following diagnosis he sought advice from Barrow Asbestos Related Disease Support Group (BARDS) and he instructed asbestos claims specialists Thompsons Solicitors to pursue a claim for compensation.
Settlement within 19 weeks
Within just 19 weeks Thompsons secured a settlement from his former employers.
The man was exposed to asbestos while working in the shipyards in Barrow-in-Furness. He was employed as a lagger during 1951 to 1961 and was exposed to asbestos on a daily basis.
His daughter said it was devastating for the family when her dad was diagnosed with the disease.
She added: “We were shell shocked when my dad was told he had mesothelioma even though we knew that many people in area have been diagnosed with asbestos related diseases due to the number of people who worked in the shipyards.
“It was important to dad to get his case settled quickly so that he could benefit from the compensation. He is relieved that this has been done and that his former employers were made to accept responsibility for his illness.”
Dr Helen Clayson, founder of BARDS, supported by St Mary’s Hospice in Ulverston added: “Barrow has the highest incidence of mesothelioma in men in England due to the large numbers employed in the shipyards and the heavy engineering industry.
“This is a dreadful legacy for the people of Barrow and through BARDS we aim to provide high quality support to patients and their families to assist them through this very difficult time.”
Solicitor Andrew Venn from Thompsons who dealt with the case said: “We understand how important it was for this client to have his case concluded during his lifetime and we are pleased we have been able to do this successfully.
Compensation will never restore his health but it does provide some reassurance and financial security.”
This news story was also published by North-West Evening Mail.
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.