£120k for mesothelioma victim exposed to asbestos working for Harland & Woolfe
Our specialist industrial disease lawyers were instructed in May 2006 after our client was diagnosed with mesothelioma.
He had worked since the age of 15, and had begun his career as an apprentice boiler maker at Harland & Woolfe in Tilbury. He completed his apprenticeship as a plater.
He worked on boilers where asbestos panels were present and pipe work was covered in asbestos and had worked constantly in engine rooms and boiler rooms, in confined spaces and often in old ships where the asbestos was in a poor state of disrepair and was constantly being disturbed.
As was often the way, he was employed by many employers over the years which inevitably gave rise to significant liability enquiries.
Around Christmas 2005 he had felt unwell after a fall when trying to install an extractor fan. On further investigation it was found that he had mesothelioma.
Prior to this he had been very fit. He used to decorate, do the gardening and do DIY, paper and paint. Unfortunately he was unable to continue following the onset of his symptoms.
Sadly, in November 2006, he died as a result of his asbestos related condition.
Extensive investigations were carried out into past employers and their relevant insurers. Evidence also had to be collected in respect of the level of exposure and the amount of asbestos dust that was to be found in the working environments.
At the conclusion of our liability enquiries court proceedings were issued. The matter proceeded to be listed for a trial in July 2008. The Defendant made two offers in settlement of the claim prior to the trial date, both of which were considered too low.
The mesothelioma claim finally settled two days prior to the trial date, in the sum of £122.5k (settlement net of benefits received and payment under the Pneumoconiosis Workers Compensation Act).
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