Compensation for lung disease
A pensioner who worked with asbestos for five months has received £10,000 in compensation after he was diagnosed with a lung disease.
The 73-year-old from Torrington in Devon was exposed to asbestos while working on a demolition contract in Walsall, Birmingham for the McAlpine construction business in 1951.
He had taken the job for just a few months to earn some money after completing his National Service.
Pleural Thickening caused breathing difficulties
The man, who is now a full-time carer for his disabled wife and who does not wish to be named, was diagnosed with pleural thickening in May 2005 after he went to his doctor with breathing difficulties. The condition is not fatal.
He contacted asbestos claims specialists Thompsons Solicitors to obtain advice about compensation. The case was settled out of court by McAlpine’s insurers.
The client said: “I only worked with asbestos for a few months but got the disease over 50 years later. It makes it difficult to breathe but I just try to get on with it.
“I worry that it will get worse in the future.”
Eamonn McDonough from Thompsons Solicitors said: “Pleural thickening can be a debilitating condition.
“As a result of being negligently exposed to asbestos over half a century ago the client is now permanently disabled in his daily life. It is only right he receives compensation for his condition.”
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.