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14th January 2009
Pub landlord compensated for asbestos cancer
Exposed to asbestos during renovations
A landlord who was exposed to asbestos while his pub was being renovated has received a substantial sum in compensation.Graham Morris, 63, from Audenshaw in Manchester was diagnosed with mesothelioma in March 2008 after he was exposed to asbestos during the 1980s while working at the Ashton Hotel in Ashton Under Lyne for Whitbread Breweries.
Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the lung. It is caused by exposure to asbestos and can take up to 40 years or more for symptoms to develop.
There is no cure for the disease which affects 2,000 people a year. Many sufferers have just months to live following diagnosis.
Asbestos contained in suspended roof
Graham instructed asbestos claims specialists Thompsons Solicitors to pursue his case for compensation after getting in touch with the Greater Manchester Asbestos Victims Support Group (GMAVSG).
He was exposed to asbestos contained in a suspended roof at the hotel which was knocked down during renovations in 1985.
He was present when the ceiling was first pulled down and he and his family were later evacuated when it was realised it contained asbestos.
He was also exposed to asbestos in the pub’s boiler room.
Graham said his diagnosis was a huge shock to all the family.
He said: “I couldn’t believe it when I was diagnosed with mesothelioma and they told me it was as a result of exposure to asbestos. I have never worked with asbestos but I knew I had been exposed to it while working at the Ashton Hotel.
“It is hard to come to terms with such an ordinary event so many years ago being responsible for my ill health now.
“I wanted to claim compensation to make sure my family are provided for in the future. I also wanted Whitbread to take responsibility for what has happened to me. My family should never have been put at risk in the way we were.”
Even low levels of asbestos exposure can prove fatal
Tony Whitston from GMAVSG said: “Mesothelioma is a devastating disease which can lie dormant for decades. Mr Morris was exposed to asbestos over a short period of time. The sheer ferocity of the disease means even low levels of exposure can prove fatal.”
Steven Dickens from Thompsons Solicitors said: “It was important that we concluded his case quickly to bring Mr Morris some peace of mind and the reassurance that his family will be financially provided for.
Compensation Claim Advice
If you or someone you know has developed an asbestos related disease, telephone us now for accurate compensation claim advice.
There are strict time limits in place to make any injury claim. For further information, contact us or visit our Questions Answered page.
Thompsons Solicitors are experts in all personal injury matters. We will be able to advise you whether or not you have a valid claim for compensation. Our specialist personal injury lawyers will be happy to talk you through the process of making a claim in plain English and will be happy to answer any questions or queries you may have. If you do have a valid personal injury compensation claim and you decide to instruct Thompsons Solicitors to deal with the matter for you, we will recover our legal fees from the person responsible for your injury, ensuring that the entire procedure is cost-free for you. Telephone us now on 08000 224 224 or complete one of our online personal injury compensation claim forms.
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