Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the lungs
The family of a car parts’ manufacturer employee who died from asbestos related cancer has obtained compensation for the benefit of the hospice which cared for him during his final days.
The technical assistant was 81 when he died in July 2011 from mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lungs.
He was diagnosed with the disease, caused by exposure to asbestos, in March 2011.
He was exposed to asbestos working at a car parts factory between 1959 and 1989.
He instructed Thompsons Solicitors to pursue a claim for compensation against his former employer.
Thompsons secured compensation for the family and also a payment towards the cost of the care provided
Following his death his sons continued the claim on his behalf and also brought a claim for St Mary’s Hospice, Birmingham, which looked after their father during his final weeks.
Thompsons Solicitors was successful in securing full compensation for the family and also recovered more than £10,000 towards the cost of his care at the hospice.
One of the sons said: ”My father was very ill when he was diagnosed with mesothelioma. He knew he had worked in an environment where asbestos was present and contacted Thompsons. We felt it was only right to continue the claim on his behalf and when we learnt we could also help the hospice which cared for him we did not hesitate in instructing Thompsons to do so.”
St Mary’s Hospice Chief Executive, Tina Swani said: “At Birmingham St Mary's Hospice we pride ourselves on offering our services free of charge to all our patients and their families, and this gratefully-received donation from Thompsons will help us to continue to do that."
Alison Fahy from Thompsons Solicitors said: “This family was determined to continue their father’s compensation claim to help St Mary’s Hospice for the care it provided during his final days. It is only right that those who caused his devastating disease compensate the family and pay towards the costs of the care provided by the hospice.”
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.