Albert received £20,000 with the support of Thompsons and Unite Legal Services
A former plumber and heating engineer has received £20,000 in damages after developing asbestosis.
Albert Bingham, 72, was an apprentice for a building firm from 1957 to 1963, where he lagged boilers in schools, factories and hotels across Lincolnshire with asbestos insulation. He also cleaned storerooms where asbestos was present, which caused it to spread in the air and settle on his skin and clothes.
His employer never provided him with personal protective equipment (PPE) or warned him about the dangers of exposure to asbestos.
When Albert started to suffer from breathing difficulties he visited his GP, who referred him to a respiratory clinic. Tests found he had scarring on his lungs, otherwise known as asbestosis.
He contacted Unite Legal Services and instructed asbestos disease specialists, Thompsons Solicitors, to investigate a compensation claim. He was awarded a provisional settlement, meaning his case can be reopened if his health deteriorates because of his asbestos disease.
Albert said: “I worked in lots of different places during my apprenticeship but I was never given a mask or overalls to protect myself from the asbestos dust.
“I used to love being active but now I really struggle to get about because of the difficulties I have with my breathing. Knowing that my condition could deteriorate into something more serious than asbestosis is really hard for me and my family to accept.
Thankfully, the advice I had from Unite Legal Services and Thompsons means that I can reopen my claim in the future if my health gets worse.”
Kevin Hepworth, East Midlands regional legal officer at Unite the Union, said: “Unfortunately, Albert is one of thousands of industrial workers whose lives have been changed because of the devastating effects of asbestos-related diseases. Despite being exposed to asbestos more than 40 years ago, it has left him with serious breathing difficulties today which can only be managed by taking regular medication.
“Through Albert’s membership of Unite, we were able to provide him with specialist legal advice about asbestos claims, which ensured that he has been compensated now for his conditions, but that he also has a safeguard in place for a future claim should he need to.”
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.