Asbestos claim win – early starts and late finishes
Corries have won an asbestos claim five figure sum for an 87-year-old former fitter and power station worker who developed asbestos pleural thickening at the age of 85.
Corries are leading asbestos claim personal injury lawyers. No one tries harder to get you the compensation that you deserve. Call our specialist team now on 0800 083 7839 and see if we can help you get what you deserve.
Asbestos Claim Facts
Our client, Mr L approached us in late 2015. He had recently suffered pneumonia and was told by his doctors that he had developed asbestos-related diffuse pleural thickening. He was not surprised as he has been diagnosed with pleural plaques (a scarring of the lining of the lung) many years before. Sadly you cannot get compensation for pleural plaques. He had been a fit man for his age up until the development of this condition.
We agreed to look into a claim for him.
Asbestos Claim – Working history
Mr L had started work as a trainee fitter working for North East Marine in Wallsend in the north-east from 1947 to 1952. He worked building new ships. This work only involved exposure to asbestos for one year during this time.
After time away in the Merchant Navy he then went to work for C A Parsons from 1956 to 1962. For Parsons he worked on heating plants before moving to the south of England to work at West Thurrock Power station.
From 1962 onwards he worked the CEGB at West Thurrock until he retired. In this work he continued to be exposed to asbestos.
What we did next
We got to the bottom of his medical condition. We helped him secure Industrial Injuries Disablement benefit that he will get for the rest of his life.
The opinion that his pleural effusion and pneumonia had triggered diffuse pleural thickening was supported by one of our recommended medical experts. The report said that he was now 50% disabled due to these asbestos related problems.
Mr L lives in a remote place and relies on his wife a great deal. We had to make sure a properly formulated claim for care was put together.
The road to settlement
Usually we often report on stories when cases are settled very quickly. In this case trying to advance the case against three defendants was harder and slower. They all denied exposure to asbestos and argued it’s value and if it was out of time. This meant that court proceedings had to be issued.
The issue of proceedings helped bring the defendants together. Shortly after the issue and service of court proceedings progress was made. Negotiations started and we settled the case for Mr L without the need to go any further.
At Corries we know that power station workers were often exposed to asbestos and that the case should win. here is a link to a previous claim success here
Asbestos Claim Comment
Asbestos claim specialist Maria McMurray who won the claim commented;
“This was a pleasing claim to win. Firstly we had a gentleman was exposed to asbestos in the 1940’s and 50’s onwards for whom a claim could be made. Secondly he had been free of any disabling asbestos disease until the age of 85. However the pneumonia and pleural thickening “flicked a switch” such that he is now greatly disabled and will remain so for the rest of his life.
Rather just look at his disability as a percentage I looked at his individual circumstances and the need for support that he requires. I set this out to the defendants and whilst the case was fought they eventually saw sense particularly when faced with court proceedings. I am pleased that we have got a good result for Mr L. He can use his compensation to make his remaining years as comfortable as possible.”
Asbestos Case summary
This victory helps flag up two important issues
- That just because someone has been exposed to asbestos in the 1940’s and 1950’s that settlement is still possible and;
- That at no age are you are free from the perils of asbestos disease developing. Increasing number of people who have been exposed to asbestos are developing such conditions in their eighties and even into their nineties. Asbestos has no sell by date – if you have been exposed to asbestos you are at risk of asbestos disease until your dying day.
If you or a family member have been affected by asbestos disease then we might be able to help them. Give our friendly team a call for a FREE no obligation chat on 0800 083 7839. Alternative;fill in our enquiry box and one of our team will get in touch.