Asbestos related cancer, mesothelioma
Teeside asbestos widow, Betty Cater has been awarded full compensation for her husband's death following a ruling from the courts today (Tuesday, November 28, 2006).
The Royal Courts of Justice ruled Mrs Cater, 63, of Vale Drive, Thornaby should be awarded more than £103,000 in compensation after Ronald died of mesothelioma following exposure to asbestos in his workplace.
Mrs Cater’s laywers, Thompsons Solicitors, have been working to gain full compensation for her since May when the courts decided to award her just £20,000.
Fight for compensation is over
Mrs Cater was forced to return to work following the court’s decision which was made when the House of Lords changed the rules for pay-outs to mesothelioma victims and their families when one of the employers could not be found.
She said she is delighted with the result: ”This has taken a lot of weight off my shoulders. Finally my husband can rest in peace after years of fighting for compensation. I would like to thank Thompsons Solicitors and my lawyer Andrew Venn for continuing with my case and making sure we got this result.”
Mrs Cater lost Ronald, 57, to mesothelioma after he worked for decades in the docks in Wales. He died in June 2004 while fighting to claim the money from his former employers Kinnis & Brown (Chemical Services) Ltd and Loriston Services Ltd.
In the past victims could claim their full compensation from the remaining employer but new rules brought in in May 2006 meant that claimants would only receive a percentage of their compensation.
The decision meant Mrs Cater was awarded just £20,000 of a £140,000 compensation claim. Following an amendment to the Compensation Act Thompsons Solicitors, on behalf of Betty Cater, appealed against her original compensation award.
Andrew Venn, from Thompsons Solicitors National Asbestos Team, said: ”This is excellent news and I am over the moon that Mrs Cater is receiving the compensation she is entitled to.”
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.