Our specialist asbestos and mesothelioma claims team was instructed by Mr G following a diagnosis of pleural thickening and 15% respiratory disability.
Exposure
When he was a school boy between the ages 14 to 16 years Mr G worked on Saturdays and throughout the school holidays for a builders merchant, Atlas Trading Company (Builders, Ironmongers and Plumbers Merchants) Ltd. The company stocked asbestos sheets, asbestos pipes and moulding along with other building goods. Mr G worked for the company intermittently on a part-time basis between the years of 1978 and 1980. During that time he was required to handle, stack, load and unload and cut asbestos sheeting using a circular saw and as a consequence he was exposed to asbestos dust and fibres.
Mr G’s claim
Court proceedings were brought against Atlas Trading Company (Builders, Ironmongers and Plumbers Merchants) Limited as the company refused to accept liability for the claim.
Medical evidence was obtained to confirm that Mr G had developed pleural thickening leading to respiratory disability and that he was at risk in the future as a consequence of his exposure to asbestos of developing mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, asbestosis and to increased pleural thickening causing deteriorating respiratory disability.
The team served the court papers on the Defendant company and the matter proceeded through the specialist asbestos division in the Royal Court of Justice. The case was listed for trial in July 2014 as the company maintained it had not employed Mr G nor exposed him to asbestos dust and fibres, however the team were able to secure a settlement of Mr G’s claim out of court in the sum of £25,000 gross.
Importantly the terms of settlement included provision for Mr G to reopen his case and claim further compensation from the defendant in the event that he was to develop mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, asbestosis or a deterioration in his pleural thickening causing additional respiratory disability.
UPDATE
Mr G’s condition did unfortunately deteriorate and due to the provision to allow him to reopen his case he has now received further compensation. Read more >>
