John Hobbs was exposed to asbestos throughout his career at an ironworks
The son of a Wolverhampton man who died of mesothelioma after asbestos exposure at work has secured a substantial settlement with the help of Thompsons Solicitors.
John Hobbs worked for a steel firm between 1953 and 1983, initially as a steel erector and later a crane driver and welder. In all three roles, he would handle asbestos panels and sheets regularly and would often wear gloves and aprons insulated with asbestos. John’s employer never warned him of the dangers of asbestos.
Our experts were proud to support John and his son Peter with their claim to make sure the maximum compensation was secured as quickly as possible, to support his family and the hospice that helped John.Steve Fitzwalter Specialist Asbestos Solicitor at Thompsons Solicitors
In May 2017, John was struggling to eat, had lost a significant amount of weight and had a recurring pain in his shoulder. The following month he visited his GP, who noticed a shadow on his lung and referred him to hospital for further tests. John was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a cancer usually caused by asbestos exposure at work.
John Hobbs, a Thompsons Solicitors client who passed away because of mesothelioma
He turned to asbestos specialists Thompsons Solicitors to make a compensation claim but sadly died during the process, aged 89. John’s son, Peter, continued the claim as his next of kin and Thompsons Solicitors secured him compensation.
“My dad lost weight rapidly so we knew something serious was wrong,” Peter said. “He tried to battle through it, he was a very proud man, but in the end he had to seek medical advice. Even at that point we wouldn’t have thought asbestos was to blame.
“When I found out he had mesothelioma my heart sank. His deterioration from a healthy man was very quick, it was horrendous to see.”
Part of the compensation secured helped Peter make a donation towards the costs of the palliative care his father received at the Mary Stevens Hospice in Stourbridge before he died.
“I’m so grateful for everything Thompsons and the Mary Stevens Hospice did for my father,” Peter said. “It showed me that there are people out there who genuinely care for those with horrible diseases like mesothelioma. I cannot thank them enough".Steve Fitzwalter, of Thompsons Solicitors, said: “For three decades, John was exposed to a deadly substance almost every day with no idea of the impact it was having on his health. It’s tragic that he developed this disease but unfortunately not surprising. Asbestos is the biggest cause of work-related deaths in the UK.
“Our experts were proud to support John and his son Peter with their claim to make sure the maximum compensation was secured as quickly as possible, to support his family and the hospice that helped John.”
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.