Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the lungs
A widower whose wife died from an asbestos related cancer from contact with dust on her father’s overalls has received a substantial sum in compensation.
June Probin died aged just 67 from mesothelioma in April 2008. Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the lungs caused by exposure to asbestos.
There is no cure for the disease and sufferers often die within months of diagnosis.
June was diagnosed with the cancer in November 2007.
Disease caused by asbestos
Her husband, Jack, said June, who was a trained nurse, knew the disease was caused by asbestos and recalled how she was exposed to dust on her father’s work overalls more than 50 years earlier.
June’s mother, Gladys Bemon, confirmed her husband Arnold had worked with asbestos when he was employed as a boilermaker at the Crewe Railway Works, part of British Rail Engineering.
During the 1950s Arnold would return home from work at lunchtime and in the evening with his overalls contaminated with asbestos.
June left home when she was 17 to marry childhood sweetheart Jack, but often returned home to visit her parents where she was again exposed to asbestos.
The whole family was exposed to asbestos dust from her dad’s overalls
Jack said: “It was a massive shock to both of us when June was diagnosed with mesothelioma. June knew it was an asbestos related disease and knew straight away how serious it was.
“It is terrifying to think that the whole family was exposed to asbestos dust from her dad’s overalls yet he was never warned by his employers about the dangers. I feel strongly about telling people what happened to June because we have no idea how many other children and wives may have been exposed in the same way.
The couple, who had been together for 49 years, have two adult children, two grandchildren and a great grandson.
Thompsons Solicitors recovered compensation for family
June was treated by Dr Max Winson, a Consultant Physician and Patron of the Dave Willcocks Asbestos Victim Support Group (DWAVSG). She instructed asbestos claims specialists Thompsons Solicitors to pursue compensation.
Jack, 73, added: “June became very ill extremely quickly, but when she became aware that she may be entitled to claim compensation we decided we would. Following her death I continued the claim which I am now glad has been settled. I still miss June every day and nothing can ever replace what the whole family has lost.”
Joanne Keen from Thompsons Solicitors said: “Sadly June is one of many victims of mesothelioma exposed to asbestos on the overalls of a family member. Her death comes 50 years after her initial exposure to asbestos on her dad’s work clothes. He had no idea that he was exposing her to a risk of fatal illness by merely coming home from work on a lunch time. We are pleased we have been able to bring this case to a successful conclusion for June’s family and hope it can go some way to providing them with some peace of mind and financial security.”
This news story was also published by The Sentinel.
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.