Asbestos related case studies
£230,000.00 Compensation for Mesothelioma
Our client was employed during the early 1960s by the Ministry of Defence as a Fitter, and later as a Draftsman at Portsmouth Dockyard. He was exposed to asbestos whilst working on ships that were in the dockyard for a refit. He spent a lot of time in boiler and engine rooms hacking away at asbestos to remove it, unaware that the dust he was creating would harm him. He also worked alongside Laggers who shook bags of asbestos into vats of water causing so much dust in the air that it was like falling snow.
From the mid 60s, our client worked for the Central Electricity Generating Board (now E.ON UK Limited) as an Engineer at a number of power stations where he worked alongside Laggers, who were removing and replacing asbestos insulation. Much of the lagging was in poor condition and crumbling. Our client had to climb over pipe work lagged with asbestos inevitably disturbing it.
Our client did not know that he had been harmed by asbestos until he developed pain in his chest in 2001. He was diagnosed with pleural plaques and turned to Russell Jones and Walker to bring a claim against his former employers. We obtained a sum of money for our client but most importantly, secured for him the right to return to the Courts should his medical condition deteriorate. Unfortunately, in 2004, our client learned that he had developed mesothelioma. Court proceedings were brought against the MOD and E.ON and we obtained an initial payment of £40,000 early in the case. The claim was settled a few weeks before Trial for £230,000. We used the fast-track mesothelioma Court procedure, which meant that our client’s claim was concluded only 18 months after he was diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Mr T, aged 65, had spent most of his working life as a Bricklayer and running his own cleaning company. For 10 years, however, he worked for the Central Electricity Generating Board at Little Barford Power Station, which was heavily lagged and where he was exposed to asbestos.
In October 2003, Mr T noticed that he was becoming breathless. In January 2004 he was told that he had mesothelioma. Mr T, who lived alone, instructed Russell Jones and Walker to pursue a claim against his former employer.
We settled Mr T’s claim for £113,000 within 4 months of taking on the case, which meant that he was able to benefit from the damages award, and use it to pay for much needed nursing care.
Compensation Following Husband’s Death from Mesothelioma
Our client was exposed to asbestos whilst working as an Engineer for British Telecom. He worked in telephone exchanges where Hessian bags filled with asbestos were used as a firebreak. He was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2004, when he was only 59 years of age.
Unfortunately, our client died before his case was concluded, but his widow was able to continue the claim.
British Telecom admitted that they had been negligent in exposing our client to asbestos and compensation of £270,000.00 was agreed.
