At Asbestos Justice we are delighted to report that we have recently succeeded in an asbestosis claim for Mr C who sadly lost his father to this devastating disease back in January of 2021.
Our client believed his father had suffered exposure to harmful amounts of airborne asbestos dust when working for F Hills & Sons Limited, Norton Road, Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham as a carpenter and joiner from the early 1950s through to 1981 approximately. Our company research revealed that the company eventually formed part of the Bowater Corporation during his later years of work.
Claim Difficulties
Unfortunately, we were instructed to investigate the asbestos claim after Mr C had sadly passed away and his son was unclear on the specifics of his father’s past history of exposure to airborne asbestos dust. Such information was required in order to succeed in establishing blame in the case.
However, we were able to note from the deceased’s medical records that he could recall coming into contact with airborne asbestos dust when working for his employer.
Witness Evidence Discovered
Further, we conducted research and were able to obtain witness evidence from another Claimant who had worked in the same role as our client’s father, at the same site. This referred to the working conditions at the F Hills & Sons workshop being full of airborne asbestos dust as a result of workers cutting through asbestos sheeting with circular saws, which was regular part of the carpenters’ work at the site in question.
Medical Evidence Supported Heavy Exposure
A post-mortem report was completed following Mr C’s passing which revealed the presence of a high level of asbestos bodies, far in excess of the threshold which has to be exceeded under the so-called Helsinki criteria, to prove legally that fibrosis is asbestos related.
This medical evidence further supported the assertion that Mr C had been heavily exposed to airborne asbestos dust when working for Hills and we obtained a medical report from a respiratory expert which further supported the claim for asbestosis compensation.
Held to Account
After disclosing the body of evidence we had gathered in support of the claim, the traced insurers for the company agreed to settle the claim for tens of thousands of pounds, meaning that we were successful in holding the Defendant to account for the sad loss of Mr C’s father.
The case shows the importance of a post-mortem taking place in cases involving this disease and also highlights the possibility of still being able to succeed in an asbestos claim, even where no witness evidence is available from the person affected by the disease.
If you require assistance in pursuing an asbestosis claim, or believe you have a valid claim for any other asbestos disease, then please contact us today on our freephone number 0800 038 6767. Alternatively, head over to the ‘Contact Us’ page, complete the form and we will be in touch.