At Asbestos Justice, we successfully secured tens of thousands of pounds in compensation for a former ironworks employee who developed asbestosis after years of exposure to asbestos dust at work.
Our client, Mr T, worked at Ilkeston Ironworks in Derbyshire between 1963 and 1979. During this time, he was employed by Stanton & Staveley Limited, which later became part of the British Steel Corporation.
Initially working as a fitter’s mate before becoming a rigger, Mr T regularly came into contact with asbestos while maintaining and working around the site’s furnaces, boilers and pipework.
Despite the dusty conditions, he was never warned about the dangers of asbestos or provided with suitable respiratory protection.
Decades later, he developed asbestosis, a serious lung condition caused by breathing in asbestos fibres.
Asbestos Exposure While Working as a Fitter’s Mate
Mr T began his employment at Ilkeston Ironworks as a fitter’s mate, assisting skilled fitters with the maintenance and repair of industrial equipment.
The ironworks had an extensive network of pipes, furnaces and boilers, many of which were covered in asbestos insulation, commonly known as lagging.
Whenever repairs were needed, Mr T was responsible for removing the old asbestos lagging so the fitters could access the equipment underneath.
Using handheld tools, he would break away the insulation, releasing clouds of asbestos dust and fibres into the surrounding air.
The dust settled on his clothing and skin, while airborne fibres were breathed in as he worked.
Once the repairs were complete, Mr T was also responsible for clearing away the debris. This involved sweeping up asbestos dust and broken insulation materials, disturbing the fibres once again and creating further clouds of dust.
These tasks formed a regular part of his working life, exposing him to significant amounts of asbestos without adequate protection.
Further Asbestos Exposure as a Rigger
Mr T later became a rigger, a role that involved preparing equipment and coordinating the movement of heavy machinery and large industrial components, including pipes, stoves and boilers.
His work frequently required him to climb 50 to 60 feet above the ground, navigating his way through areas surrounded by asbestos-lagged pipework.
Working in these confined and dusty areas brought him into regular contact with asbestos materials.
He also worked close to laggers, whose job was to replace insulation on pipes and equipment following repairs.
As the laggers applied asbestos-containing materials, dust and fibres were released into the air, exposing Mr T and others working nearby.
By the end of a typical working day, his clothes and skin were often covered in dust from the surrounding equipment and maintenance work.
No Warnings or Protection from Asbestos
Throughout his employment at Ilkeston Ironworks, Mr T was never warned about the health risks associated with asbestos exposure.
He was also not provided with respiratory protective equipment, despite regularly working in conditions where asbestos dust was being released into the air.
Whether removing old insulation, sweeping up debris or working alongside laggers, he carried out his duties without being made aware of the potential long-term consequences.
These failures to provide adequate warnings and protection formed an important part of the evidence supporting his compensation claim.
Developing Asbestosis Years After Exposure
Asbestosis is a serious lung disease caused by breathing in asbestos fibres. Over time, these fibres can cause scarring of the lung tissue, making it increasingly difficult to breathe.
The condition often develops many years, or even decades, after the original exposure.
For Mr T, the effects of his years working around asbestos at Ilkeston Ironworks eventually became apparent when he developed asbestosis.
To support his claim, our specialist asbestos solicitors obtained medical evidence from a respiratory consultant.
The consultant assessed Mr T’s condition and the extent of his respiratory disability, providing important evidence of the impact asbestosis had on his health.
Alongside this, we gathered a detailed account of his employment history, including the tasks he carried out, the asbestos-containing materials he encountered and the conditions in which he worked.
This evidence helped establish the extent of his historic asbestos exposure and supported his claim for compensation.
Tens of Thousands of Pounds in Asbestosis Compensation Recovered
Through detailed investigations and specialist medical evidence, our team successfully secured compensation worth tens of thousands of pounds for Mr T.
The settlement reflected the pain and suffering caused by his asbestosis, as well as his associated care needs.
Although compensation cannot reverse the damage caused by asbestos exposure, it can provide important financial support and recognition of the impact the disease has had on someone’s life.
Mr T’s case also highlights the lasting consequences of working with asbestos in industrial environments, particularly at a time when employees were often given little or no information about the risks.
How Asbestos Justice Can Help
Asbestosis can develop decades after exposure to asbestos, meaning many people are diagnosed long after they have left the workplace where their exposure occurred.
Establishing the circumstances of that exposure is an important part of pursuing a successful claim, particularly as asbestosis is generally associated with substantial exposure to airborne asbestos fibres.
At Asbestos Justice, our specialist team has extensive experience investigating historic asbestos exposure, tracing former employers and gathering the evidence needed to pursue compensation claims.
If you have been diagnosed with asbestosis or another asbestos-related disease, we can help you understand your options and whether you may be entitled to compensation.
Call our friendly team on 0800 038 6767 to discuss your circumstances.
Alternatively, visit our Contact Us page, complete the enquiry form and a member of our team will be in touch.