Compensation recovered for surviving wife of former health and safety worker diagnosed with mesothelioma

Jonathan Herbert, specialist industrial disease lawyer acting for the claimant, successfully obtained a settlement of £430,000 on behalf Mrs C and other dependants to compensate them for their husband and father’s pain and suffering and their financial losses.

Mr C developed mesothelioma as a result of his former employer negligently exposing him to asbestos dust.  He had worked aboard nuclear submarines in dock for refit and repair.  This work resulted in the submarines being full of asbestos dust but no steps had been taken to prevent him inhaling asbestos fibres.  Mr C was exposed to substantial quantities of respirable asbestos dust.  It was argued on Mrs C’s behalf that despite its knowledge of the hazards of asbestos and numerous regulations no steps were taken by the MOD to ensure that her husband was reasonably safe from the danger of asbestos dust inhalation during his employment with them.

Sadly, Mr C’s deterioration with his disease was so swift that he was not well enough to take legal advice before he died.

Mr C died at age 64.  Mr and Mrs C were denied the retirement together they had planned.  Mr C had been a nuclear physicist working as a health physicist consultant until he became symptomatic with mesothelioma symptoms.  Had he not developed mesothelioma, he would probably have lived a further 16 years.

Liability was admitted and an interim payment of £50,000 was made but it became necessary to issue court proceedings. Jonathan negotiated a settlement meaning that a trial was not required.

Jonathan Herbert specialises in industrial disease cases.  If you would like to ask Jonathan a question about a potential case, or if you have a general query about any personal injury, contact him at Thomson Snell & Passmore solicitors on 01892 701226 in confidence.