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News Desk | News Story
14th April 2008
Kenneth Chapman, 74, from Caterham in Surrey, was diagnosed with fatal cancer of the lining of the lung mesothelioma after working for New Southern Railway, part of British Rail from the 1950s until he retired in 1996.
The divorcee, who has no children, was exposed to asbestos while working as a fireman, boiler cleaner and train driver.
He said asbestos was used on the boilers and pipes in the locomotives which he worked in daily.
He added that he can remember asbestos dust being thrown into the air when a train he was in crashed into a buffer stop.
He said: “No-one was hurt. We got away with it then, but I suppose we are paying for it now. The asbestos dust was terrible and what I have got now is caused by it.”
Mr Chapman was diagnosed with mesothelioma in January 2007. The disease has no cure and sufferers often have just months to live.
He said he had never heard of the disease when he was diagnosed but knew afterwards that he had developed it from working for British Rail. He added that he decided to pursue compensation to make sure someone took responsibility for his condition.
Mr Chapman said: “I have had a good life. But if someone caused this disease then they should pay for it. The employer let us work in those conditions and failed to make us aware of what it can do to our health.”
He got in touch with his union Aslef, the union for train drivers and operators, and their lawyers Thompsons Solicitors dealt with the case.
Keith Norman, General Secretary for Aslef said: “We will continue to fight to ensure asbestos victims, like Mr Chapman, receive full compensation for the injuries they have suffered through merely carrying out a hard day’s work.
“It is only right that these victims are compensated by their employers’ insurers for the hardship caused through being exposed to asbestos.”
Anne Marie Wilson, a client representative at Thompsons Solicitors who helped Mr Chapman win his claim added: “Mesothelioma is a devastating disease which can strike up to 40 years after the initial exposure to asbestos. We are pleased we have been able to secure compensation for Mr Chapman during his lifetime.”
If you or someone you know has developed an asbestos related disease, telephone us now for accurate claim advice.
There are strict time limits in place to make any injury claim including claims for asbestos related illnesses. 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 compensation claim forms.