The family of a Lancashire man has received more than £74,000 in compensation after he died from asbestos-related mesothelioma - a cancer of the lining of the lungs.
The 65-year-old man had worked as a labourer for a firm in Chorley and was exposed to asbestos during periods in the 1960s when he worked inside railway carriages. His work involved putting asbestos into a machine from which it was then sprayed onto the carriage ceiling. Some of it fell back down onto the workers and asbestos dust filled the air. He worked in this environment without protective clothing or breathing equipment for around two years.
Although the company went into administration in 2001, compensation was provided from a special fund of money set aside for those with claims against the business.
This latest case comes as the Health and Safety Executive has published figures showing that the number of deaths from mesothelioma continues to increase. In Great Britain 1,885 people died from mesothelioma in 2003 and this number rose to 1,969 in 2004.
This trend looks set to continue for the foreseeable future. Mesothelioma can take a long time to develop and by the time it is diagnosed the survival rate is poor, with around 75 per cent of sufferers dying within one year of diagnosis. It is therefore vital that compensation is paid to those affected at the earliest possible time.
If you or someone in your family becomes ill because of exposure to a harmful substance at work, we can advise you on how to go about bringing a claim.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
