Thompsons Solicitors has secured compensation for a retired construction worker after he developed the fatal asbestos-related cancer, mesothelioma.

Peter Bowler, who is 65 years old, worked for a construction company in Derbyshire from 1972 to 1974 where he assembled agricultural buildings such as barns and hen houses.

Asbestos was often present in the corrugated roofing sheets, which Peter would carry on his shoulder and then drill and cut to fix it into position. By the end of a working day, Peter would have dust from the roofing sheets on his face, hands, forearms, hair and clothes.

Concerns about Peter’s health were first raised during a routine doctor’s appointment. He was sent for a biopsy, which confirmed that he had developed mesothelioma.

Following his diagnosis, Peter contacted the expert mesothelioma lawyers and asbestos disease specialists, Thompsons Solicitors, who investigated his work history and identified where he was exposed to asbestos.

Peter said: “When my doctor said that she was referring me for a biopsy I was very concerned, but I really didn’t expect to be diagnosed with mesothelioma.

“At no point during my time at the construction firm was I told about the dangers of working with asbestos, nor were we provided with any protection. If my employer had educated staff about the dangers of working with asbestos, I may not be in the situation I am today.

“My life has completely changed. I used to enjoy a healthy and active lifestyle but now I can’t do anything physically demanding, which is upsetting for me and my family to accept.”

Steve Fitzwalter, of Thompsons Solicitors, said: “Peter worked with asbestos decades ago but the terrible effects of this have only just manifested.

“When Peter and his family approached Thompsons, they were obviously at a very low point. We worked with Peter to talk through his employment history, discussing the types of jobs he did and where he worked to pinpoint where his exposure to asbestos took place so that we could hold the negligent employer to account.

“At the time of Peter’s exposure, the dangers of asbestos were well recognised so he should never have been working unprotected with materials that were known to contain asbestos.”