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Workplace Injury - Don't Delay Making a Claim

Compensation claims are subject to strict time limits and one pensioner whose life was blighted by an asbestos-related condition paid a high price for sitting on his hands and failing to seek prompt legal advice. Although his former employer had admitted breach of duty, the High Court ruled that he had left it too late to sue for damages.

The man, aged 71, had worked in the boiler room of a centralised school meals facility for 18 months in the 1970s. The asbestos lagging around the boilers was in very poor condition and the local authority which employed him accepted that his exposure to asbestos had arisen through its breach of duty.

He was left suffering from pleural plaques and diffuse pleural thickening which, when combined with a condition related to smoking, caused him pain and acute shortness of breath. However, when he launched proceedings against the council in 2014, he was met by arguments that his claim fell far outside the three-year time limit which applies to such cases.

In dismissing his claim, the Court found that he had been aware that he had suffered a significant asbestos-related injury as long ago as 2000. He had undergone a biopsy that year, which, to his great relief, had found no evidence of malignancy. Although he was experiencing breathlessness and chest pains, he was still able to do the things he wanted to do and did not think it would be worthwhile suing the council.

If you would like advice on how to make a personal injury claim, contact us. As this case illustrates, it is important to take advice early on, as soon as you are aware of a condition or injury that could result in a claim for compensation, so as not to lose the right to make a claim on account of a failure to commence proceedings in time.

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.