Diagnosed with an asbestos related disease
A former nuclear power plant worker who has been told he has just months to live has received £177,000 in compensation after he was diagnosed with an asbestos related disease.
The former assistant scientist employed by Sellafield Ltd, who does not wish to be named, was exposed to asbestos while working at the Capenhurst nuclear site.
The 76-year-old from the Wirral worked started work as an instrument mechanic in 1955 and later became an assistant scientist in the research and development department. He took early retirement in 1991.
The father of two and granddad to five was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lungs, in October 2008. There is no cure for the disease and he has been told he has only months to live.
Exposed to asbestos on a daily basis
He was exposed to asbestos on a daily basis during the early years of his career. Asbestos was used in the workplace a variety of ways.
He said: “I remember sawing asbestos sheets and my overalls would be covered in dust. Sometimes it would get so bad we’d have to change our overalls during a shift. The company never took any notice of asbestos during my early years but towards the end of my career they began to tell us about the dangers. However, I never thought that I would be one who ended up with it giving me cancer.
“I dread to think what the future holds but knowing that the compensation has been sorted out gives me some peace of mind.”
Following his diagnosis he contacted the Merseyside Asbestos Victims Support Group (MAVSG) for assistance and instructed asbestos compensation specialists Thompsons Solicitors to pursue a claim.
Thompsons successfully secured an out of court settlement from Sellafield just nine months later.
John Flanagan from MAVSG said: “This man was unwittingly exposed to asbestos while doing a hard day’s work. Mesothelioma is a devastating disease which affects far too many in Merseyside. We are only too pleased to have provided our support in this case.”
Joanne Candlish from Thompsons Solicitors said: “It was important for this client to know that his family would be provided for financially. We were able to bring this case to a successful conclusion from beginning to end in well under a year.”
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.