North West families are finally receiving compensation from a defunct asbestos company more than six years after their claims were first lodged.
Hundreds of North West families will receive settlements over the next few months from the notorious asbestos manufacturer Turner & Newall (T&N), which had factories in Rochdale, Widnes and Trafford Park.
One asbestos sufferer, who wishes to remain anonymous, has received one of the first compensation payments in the region after years of legal red tape and wrangling.
He was put in touch with lawyers Thompsons Solicitors by his union, Unite (Amicus section).
The man, now aged 85, who is suffering from asbestosis was employed as a supervisor by T&N and worked with asbestos every day.
He said: “I am delighted that I have received this payment after all those years waiting. I worked for 30 years for Turner and Newall and I was never told about the dangers – no-one was. Now I find it difficult to breath and cannot walk very far due to my condition.”
All claims against the company, which provided employment for thousands of families in the Northern regions, were frozen in 2001 after T&N and it’s parent company Federal Mogul went into administration.
Since then claimants and their families have been waiting for Administrators to reach agreement with Federal Mogul’s creditors and insurers.
Diana Fos, regional head of asbestos claims at Thompsons Solicitors in Liverpool and Manchester, said: “We have been engaged in one of the longest running and most difficult battles to obtain compensation for people who are suffering or have died from asbestos-related disease. I am glad that for many of them the struggle is now over or nearing an end.
“It was a matter of principle for us to stand by the victims and see this through from start to finish.”
Tony Whitston from Greater Manchester Asbestos Victims Support Group said: “Hundreds of former T&N workers have waited more than six years to receive compensation. Sadly many have died during the delay. Now a procedure is in place to pay compensation to victims and their families.
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.