Lung Cancer caused by asbestos exposure
The widow of an asbestos factory worker who died from lung cancer has received substantial compensation.
Miriam Dean, 68, from Uxbridge has received the settlement after her husband of 46 years, Roy, died of lung cancer in June 2007.
Roy, aged 69, was exposed to asbestos while working at the Cape factory in Uxbridge between 1954 and 1956 and again between 1958 and 1961 where he cut sheets of asbestos using a circular machine saw.
Exposed to asbestos while working for Cape
He was exposed to asbestos on a daily basis while working for Cape.
The dad of three and granddad of seven was diagnosed with lung cancer in April 2006 and contacted asbestos claims experts Thompsons Solicitors for legal advice. Following his death Miriam continued the claim.
She said: “When he was first diagnosed Roy had no idea his exposure to asbestos could lead to lung cancer and when he was told he had a matter of months to live he was determined to find out more about it.
“Thompsons Solicitors was able to help us prove that Roy’s asbestos exposure had contributed to his cancer.
“He was very concerned that I should be looked after following his death.”
Proving lung cancer was caused by asbestos is an area which requires specialist legal expertise
The relationship between asbestos exposure and cigarette smoking greatly increases the risk of lung cancer. The Health and Safety Executive estimate that for every person who develops the fatal asbestos cancer mesothelioma, at least one more person develops lung cancer due to asbestos exposure.
Andrew Venn from Thompsons Solicitors said: “Proving lung cancer was caused by asbestos is an area which requires specialist legal expertise. In this case we were able to obtain medical and other evidence which demonstrated that asbestos exposure had more than doubled the risk of lung cancer. As a result of the strength of the case we were able to reach an out of court settlement on terms which were favourable to Mrs Dean.”
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.