Asbestos related illness, mesothelioma
The widow of a Cheshire man who died of the asbestos cancer mesothelioma has expressed her gratitude to those who fought so hard to persuade the Government to amend the Compensation Bill which reversed the effect of the House of Lords ruling in the asbestos compensation appeal case of Barker.
The woman from Cheshire has secured £155,000 in an out of court settlement. Her late husband was a joiner who worked on industrial maintenance contracts for Moorcroft Construction from 1964 to 1993 where he was exposed to asbestos and as a result of which he died from mesothelioma. He was also employed as an apprentice joiner with W J Bush & Son from 1956 to 1964 where he was also exposed to asbestos. However, this company no longer exists and it was not possible to trace the insurers.
Exposed to asbestos at work
Her late husband made a claim for damages against Moorcroft Construction shortly before he died in July 2003. With the support of the Cheshire Asbestos Victim Support Group, and led by the campaigning law firm Thompsons Solicitors, justice has been restored.
Mrs B, aged 63, comments: “I'm so grateful to the campaigners who fought for the Barker amendment. If the Barker apportionment ruling by the House of Lords had not been over turned by the Compensation Act my family would have lost over a third of the compensation we were due. Nothing can bring my husband back but we’re pleased to see justice at last.”
Diana Fos from Thompsons Solicitors in Liverpool explains: “Back in June, the government showed real compassion and a commitment to sufferers. The amendment has restored the right to full compensation and will, in time, benefit thousands of mesothelioma sufferers and their families.”
Brian Dellaway Advice / support manager for Cheshire Asbestos Victims Support Group said: “The government has shown real commitment in rectifying the injustice of The House of Lords Judgement in the Barker Case and must be congratulated on their swift action in regards to the amendments in the Compensation Bill. However there is still much to be done to ensure all sufferers of asbestos related conditions are adequately compensated for their injuries.”
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.