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20th July 2006
Compensation for Widow after husband died of asbestos-related illness, mesothelioma
Exposed to asbestos when only 15 years old
A North West widow has received an undisclosed payout in compensation after her husband died from devastating disease mesothelioma.
Thompsons Solicitors, based in Newcastle, recovered the substantial sum of money for Shelia Wood, 65, of Barrow in Furness, after her husband Harold developed the disease following his exposure to asbestos at Vickers shipyard and while working for British Rail.
Grandad, Harold, 64, died in October 2004, just six months after he was diagnosed with the lung cancer. There is no known cure for mesothelioma, which is caused by exposure to asbestos.
Harold was first exposed to the deadly dust when he was just 15. As part of his job at Vickers he delivered messages to foremen and managers on board the ships. The role saw him walk through areas where asbestos was being used.
Harold was never told by his employers that the dust was harmful.
He left Vickers in 1955 to work for British Rail as a cleaner at the Barrow in Furness marshalling yard.
One of his duties included cleaning steam engines after they had been serviced by fitters in the sheds.
It was Harold’s job to sweep away asbestos dust left behind by the fitters.
He returned to Vickers Shipyard in 1958 to work as a fireman. His duties involved working alongside welders and burners and using asbestos cloth.
Harold later left Vickers to become a self employed kitchen and bathroom fitter.
His son Paul, 49, said his dad continued working until the day he was diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Dangers of asbestos were not made clear to employees
He said it was a huge shock to the family: “My dad was never told about the dangers of asbestos and did not know what mesothelioma was when he was diagnosed.
“He was a fit and healthy man, who worked hard for a living but this disease took him just six months after he was diagnosed.
“This money will not replace my Dad but it will help support my mum, who is now adapting to life without her husband.”
The family’s lawyer, Andrew Venn added: “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 Harold and his family are paying the price.
"As a solicitor specialising in asbestos claims my aim is 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."
Compensation Claim Advice
If you or someone you know has developed mesothelioma or any other asbestos related illness, telephone us now for accurate 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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