Compensation for Mesothelioma Victim's Family
The widow of an engineer has received £107,000 compensation after he died from mesothelioma.
The 80-year-old from Bedford died five months after he was diagnosed with the cancer of the lining of the lungs in September 2008.
Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos. There is no cure for the disease which affects up to 2,000 people a year.
Exposed to asbestos while working
He was exposed to asbestos while working for C T Gascoigne Limited from 1942 to 1947 and 1949 to 1960.
The father of two and granddad to four was exposed to asbestos while subcontracted to work at Charles Wells Brewery in Bedford, famous for brewing beer including Bombardier and Best Bitter.
His job included repairing asbestos insulated pipe work. He was never warned of the dangers of working with asbestos or given protective equipment.
He first started noticing problems with his health in August 2007 but was not diagnosed with mesothelioma until more than a year later by which time he was too ill to receive treatment.
Thompsons Solicitors made claim for compensation
Following his diagnosis he contacted Thompsons Solicitors to pursue a claim for compensation. Sadly he died just a few months later. His wife continued the claim on his behalf.
She said: “When my husband first went to the doctor in 2007 we had no idea that he might be suffering from cancer but when we eventually got the diagnosis we were both shocked to find out it had been caused by his work.
“He would be pleased to know that the case has finally been settled. His only concern before he died was that the family would be provided for.”
Helen Jones from Thompsons Solicitors said: “Sadly for this client the diagnosis came too late to enable him to see compensation during his lifetime.
“His family have been left devastated by his loss. This compensation can never make up for that but we hope it helps relieve the financial pressures caused by his illness and death and bring some sense of justice.”
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.