Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos
The family of a hardworking carpet fitter who died from asbestos related disease has received a substantial sum in compensation.
The man from Essex died from mesothelioma just a few days before his 62nd birthday.
There is no cure for mesothelioma, which is caused by exposure to asbestos.
His only contact with asbestos was when he was 16 years old working for Associated Electrical Industries Ltd in Willesden, North West London, from 1962 to 1964.
He started working for the telecoms equipment manufacturer as a trainee and soon became a drill operator.
Died just 5 months after mesothelioma diagnosis
The father of four and granddad to two was diagnosed with mesothelioma in April 2008 and he died just five months later.
He first became ill in January 2008 and was forced to retire early from his carpet fitting business.
He had hoped to work beyond the age of 65.
He underwent chemotherapy treatment but his condition worsened and he was admitted to the Fairleigh Hospice in Mid Essex where he died.
Following his diagnosis he contacted asbestos claims specialists Thompsons Solicitors for advice.
Thompsons Solicitors recovered compensation for widow
Thompsons was successful in pursuing the claim to a successful outcome on behalf of his widow. Thompsons also required his former employer’s insurers to make a payment to Fairleigh Hospice towards the hospice’s costs of providing the care he received.
His wife said: “It saddens me that my husband was taken from his family when he had been so fit and well and we had so much to look forward to. Mesothelioma is a dreadful disease. He was such a strong, healthy man with a very high pain threshold. He suffered the most agonising death, something he never deserved.
“Our solicitor at Thompsons, Lorna Webster, was a great help and support and managed our case with empathy and professionalism.”
Lorna Webster from Thompsons Solicitors said: “This client was already very seriously ill when he contacted us for legal advice. He wanted to make sure that his wife was not left facing financial hardship when he died.
“The successful outcome we have achieved for his family is what he had hoped for.
“He and his wife also appreciated the care and support he received when he was a patient in Fairleigh Hospice therefore we required the defendant’s insurers to pay the Hospice costs as part of the terms of settlement of the claim.”
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.