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£230,000 Damages for Man Exposed to Asbestos

A man has secured a settlement of £230,000 after being diagnosed with mesothelioma, a deadly cancer of the lining of the lungs caused by inhalation of asbestos fibres.

The 74-year-old man had worked in a steelworks at the age of 15 and was exposed to asbestos fibres while working in the mill. He was never provided with protective equipment nor warned of the dangers involved in working with asbestos.

He became breathless while playing golf and was subsequently diagnosed with mesothelioma. The disease has a long incubation period – typically 30 to 40 years – and is usually at an advanced stage by the time symptoms appear.

After an investigation into his employment history was carried out, a claim was launched against his former employer. This has now been settled and he will receive £230,000 in compensation.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recently released the latest available figures for deaths from mesothelioma. These show that 2,538 people died from the disease in 2013, compared with 2,548 deaths from mesothelioma in 2012. These figures show a substantial increase on the 2011 figure of 2,312 deaths.

The HSE has information about asbestos health and safety on its website.

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There are many substances which can cause occupational illness, even when the level of exposure is small. If employers fail to take appropriate measures to protect employees from hazardous substances, they can be liable to pay compensation for the resulting illnesses.

For advice on what steps to take if you have been injured or made ill by exposure to dangerous substances in the workplace, contact us.
Although correct at the time of publication, the contents of this article are intended for general information purposes only and shall not be deemed to be, or constitute legal advice. We cannot accept responsibility for any loss as a result of acts or omissions taken in respect of this article. Please contact us for the latest legal position.