Asbestos related disease, mesothelioma
The family of a shipbuilder in Hull has been awarded more than £100,000 in compensation after he died from asbestos related disease mesothelioma.
Frank Ede was 75 when he died from the devastating disease in July 2005. He was exposed to asbestos while working as a boilermaker for shipbuilder’s Drypool Group, based in Hull.
He worked with the firm from 1943 to 1976 at first as a burner, before becoming a plater.
He worked among asbestos everyday but at the time was never warned about the dangers it could pose to his health.
Before he died he told his son Gary, 40, that they would have snowball fights during their lunchbreak in the summer with lumps of asbestos. He said he never dreamed he would end up with a terminal illness as a result.
Frank also worked alongside laggers, who would spray asbestos onto the ship.
He was diagnosed with mesothelioma in November 2004. The disease is a cancer of the lining of the lung and often sufferers have just months to live.
Claim for compensation against former employers
When he was diagnosed Frank approached Thompsons Solicitors to help him claim compensation from his former employers.
The company, which has offices Nationwide are well known for winning compensation for those exposed to asbestos at work.
Gary said his dad wanted justice for himself and for his many friends who had already died from asbestos-related diseases after working in the ship building industry.
He said: “My dad would be delighted to know that his claim has been won. His main concern was making sure my mum was financially secure for the rest of her days. But this wasn’t just for his comfort. He also thought that by fighting he could help achieve justice for all his former colleagues who have died from similar diseases.”
Frank was a father to seven children and grandfather to 12. He also had many great grandchildren.
Gary said his dad joined the shipbuilding trade when he left school and was known to be among the best in the trade when he was forced to retire due to arthritis and other health problems in his late 50s.
Client representative at Thompsons Solicitors, Nicola Harrison dealt with the case and she said: “Mesothelioma is a devastating disease for both victims and their families.
“In the past employers failed to take the necessary safeguards to protect their workers from the effects of asbestos dust and now people like Frank and his family are paying the price.
“It is my aim to obtain the best possible financial settlement for my clients. All of my clients stress that they would much rather have good health than monetary compensation. However, without adequate compensation, families whose loved ones are affected by this dreadful disease often struggle to cope.”
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.