Diagnosed with mesothelioma
The widow of a joiner has received £250,000 compensation for her husband’s death from asbestos related disease.
The former shipyard worker was diagnosed with cancer of the lining of the lungs, mesothelioma, in December 2007 after suffering from breathlessness.
Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos. There is no cure for the disease and sufferers often die within months of diagnosis.
Exposed to asbestos while working
He was exposed to asbestos working for Humber Graving Dock Limited at Immingham Docks, Humberside, during the 1970s and 1980s. He completed his apprenticeship with the company and continued working as a joiner being exposed to asbestos during the refitting of ships.
He later worked as a self employed joiner and gardener before he became ill. He had hoped to continue working until he was 70.
When he was diagnosed with mesothelioma he had radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment but his condition continued to deteriorate until he died in November 2008 leaving behind his wife and two adult children.
Thompsons Solicitors made claim for compensation
Following his diagnosis he contacted Thompsons specialist mesothelioma lawyers for advice about compensation. After his death his wife continued the claim on his behalf.
She said: “He was devastated when he found out he had a fatal disease and did not want to leave us. He started the compensation claim and wanted to know now that I would be financially secure.”
She added: “Mesothelioma is a terrible disease. He was determined to beat it and put a brave face on for the family He deteriorated so quickly and it was a shock when he died in less than a year.”
Marion Voss from Thompsons Solicitors said: “Mesothelioma is a notoriously aggressive disease. Because the process of claiming compensation had commenced during this client’s lifetime we were able to bring it to a successful outcome quickly for his family.”
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.