Asbestos Compensation Years Later for Driver
We were able to recover compensation for an asbestos victim recently long after the company he worked for had ceased to operate.
Our client, Mr M, was exposed to asbestos between 1969 and 1977 at a company called Cape Universal Cladding Limited, based in Watford. However, our client did not even work for that company, he was in fact a driver and used to take delivery of the asbestos products from the Watford firm and deliver to builders merchants in the North West.
His symptoms were mild but included coughing, chest pains, shortness of breath and wheezing.
Our PI solicitors were able to recover £4,860 in compensation for Mr M.
Commenting on the case, PI Partner, Mike Talbot said: “Not only were we able to negotiate a settlement with his employer’s insurers but also the parent company of the company responsible for the Watford site as the latter no longer existed, on the basis that the parent company controlled the operation of the site.
“My client is now 79 and struggles when walking up gradients having been a keen walker most of his life. People may not realise they have been exposed to asbestos, and as this case illustrates even mild exposure can have consequences and can be pursued right through to compensation even years later,” added Mike.
Asbestos can be very dangerous, if material containing asbestos is chipped, drilled, broken or allowed to deteriorate, it can release a fine dust that contains asbestos fibres which when breathed in enter the lungs and cause irreversible damage.
Common asbestosis symptoms include:
- swelling in the neck or face
- difficulty swallowing
- high blood pressure
- blood in sputum
- crackling sound when breathing
- shortness of breath
- hyper tension
- finger deformity
Compensation
If you have been diagnosed with asbestosis, you may be able to claim compensation. This can be done through:
- industrial injuries disablement benefit – this is a weekly benefit that may be paid to people with asbestosis who were exposed to asbestos while in employment (but not self-employed)
- a civil claim for compensation through the courts – you will need to obtain legal advice about how to do this.
Please note that the information and opinions contained in this article are not intended to be comprehensive, nor to provide legal advice. No responsibility for its accuracy or correctness is assumed by Pearson Solicitors and Financial Advisers Ltd or any of its members or employees. Professional legal advice should be obtained before taking, or refraining from taking, any action as a result of this article.
This blog was posted some time ago and its contents may now be out of date. For the latest legal position relating to these issues, get in touch with the author - or make an enquiry now.
