Exposed to asbestos while manufacturing brake pads
A Widow’s seven year wait for compensation for her husband’s death has finally come to an end after she received a six figure payout from his employers.
The widow from Bolton received £218,000 from the trustees of Turner and Newall (T&N).
It is one of the biggest payments received by family members of those who have died from exposure to asbestos at T&N’s factories across the country.
Her husband died from lung cancer mesothelioma in August 2001 after being exposed to asbestos as a 16-year-old apprentice at T&N’s Wigan factory.
He worked weaving belts for brake pads at the plant, known as TBA Industrial Products Limited.
Diagnosed with Mesothelioma
He died, aged 50, just four months after he was diagnosed with mesothelioma. There is no cure for the disease which affects 2,000 people every year.
When he was diagnosed he was pursuing a successful career as a services manager.
His wife said he wanted to pursue compensation because he was angry that he was never given protection against the dangers of asbestos.
She said: “He was shocked when he was diagnosed but he had always had a suspicion that working with asbestos would catch up with him. He was very angry and he wanted T&N to pay for the loss of his life.”
When her husband died she took up his fight for compensation. But she was left with a seven year wait after all compensation claims against the company were frozen in 2001 when T&N went into administration in the UK.
Claims were suspended while administrators reached agreement with T&N’s insurers and parent company Federal Mogul.
Claims are now paid by a Trust set up by the administrators after the High Court approved a deal which allowed claimants to receive a share of their entitled awards.
Compensation finally awarded for asbestos related illness
She said: “My husband had been fighting for compensation and when he died it was my turn to carry through his wishes. It has been a long wait but we’ve finally got justice.
“I have been lucky to get the money but it does not compensate anyone. If I could swap it, I would.”
Brian Dellaway from Cheshire Asbestos Victims Support Group helped the widow get in touch with lawyers Thompsons Solicitors who dealt with her claim.
Brian said: “T&N employed many local people at their factories in the North West. Some of these workers have, and continue to develop asbestos related illness as a result of being exposed to asbestos. Unfortunately, since 2001, claims against the company have been held in limbo awaiting a resolution to the problems encountered when Federal Mogul went into administration.
“I am very pleased that Thompsons have been able to obtain some justice in this case. Now the scheme is up and running we hope that all claims against T&N, now and in the future, will be dealt with swiftly.”
Client representative at Thompsons Solicitors Diana Fos said: “We are pleased we have been able to settle this claim on behalf of the deceased family. It is important that other victims of asbestos related disease caused by exposure from companies within the Turner & Newall group should be aware that they may be entitled to compensation. Claims can be made to the Trust on behalf of living and deceased victims of asbestos related disease.”
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.