A Kent man, who survived three different cancer diagnoses, is undergoing pioneering immunotherapy treatment after developing an asbestos-related illness.
The father-of-two, from Rochester, was diagnosed with mesothelioma in October 2020 after suffering shortness of breath.
In the last 20 years, he has battled prostate cancer, skin cancer, colon cancer, and is now undergoing treatment for asbestos-related cancer, mesothelioma.
The 76-year-old worked as a project manager for a London-based construction company between 1972 and 2003. During this time, he was involved in refurbishment work, where he would help colleagues remove walls, floorboards and ceilings, which had asbestos lagging.
Following his diagnosis, he turned to social justice law firm, Thompsons Solicitors, to help him make a claim for compensation.
He was able to secure a six-figure settlement, which included funds to cover the cost of pioneering immunotherapy treatment. Since he started this in November 2021, his tumour has shrunk in size, and his symptoms have eased significantly.
The father-of-two said: “To go through what I have in the last 20 years has been incredibly difficult, you can’t imagine how awful each diagnosis feels. Without the support of my family, I wouldn’t have gotten through it.
“And now to have been diagnosed with mesothelioma is really challenging but I do feel extremely grateful to be able to receive the immunotherapy treatment, and incredibly lucky that my body has responded so well to it. This wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for Thompsons and especially my lawyer Jackie - she was there for me through thick and thin.”
Jackie Wood, senior mesothelioma lawyer at Thompsons’ London office, said: “We are so pleased to have secured our client the compensation he deserves and are thrilled to hear that the immunotherapy treatment is working so well.
“Mesothelioma is a horrible disease which affects so many people every year, in cases where it could have been prevented. We hope the treatment will have long lasting effects and allow him to properly enjoy his retirement.”