Mr B’s son contacted us shortly after his father had been diagnosed with mesothelioma. Mr B had previously been very fit and healthy, playing golf and walking regularly. Nodules had been noted on his chest x-rays for a while and he had been having regular check-ups. A scan in late 2020 showed a change and further tests and investigations led to a diagnosis of mesothelioma.
Exposed to asbestos as an electrician
Mr B had been exposed to asbestos with various companies during the course of his working life as an electrician. He began an apprenticeship with Lee Beesley and Co Limited and worked on various jobs where he came across asbestos. He recalled working in schools and working alongside plumbers who were mixing and applying lagging to boilers. He also recalled working in factories which contained asbestos lagged pipes. He would often have to climb up onto them to carry out his tasks and was exposed to the dust as he brushed against them.
Once qualified, Mr B went on to work for a number of companies including Star Electrical Company Limited, Rashleigh Phipps and Co Limited, N G Bailey Limited and Haden Building Services Limited. He worked on various electric jobs in commercial settings during this time including at a BHS store in Gloucester, a college in Worcester and a new office block for Eagle Star Insurance in Cheltenham. His job involved fixing lights, fire alarms and electric cabling. This often involved drilling into asbestos ceiling tiles or chasing out walls to fit conduits for electric cables.
No protective mask provided
He worked without a mask or any form of protection and was unable to avoid breathing in significant amounts of asbestos dust.
Later on in his career Mr B went to work on contracts at GCHQ at Oakley and Benhall, and also at the Eastgate Shopping Centre in Gloucester. Whilst working on such contracts he worked alongside other tradesmen lagging pipes and boilers with asbestos and cladding steel girders in asbestos sheets for fireproofing purposes.
Settlement negotiated without going to Court
The claim was directed to the representatives for Lee Beesley and Co Limited, N G Bailey, Drake and Scull Engineering, Haden Building Services Limited and William Brothers (Electrical). Supportive medical evidence and a schedule of loss were served on all parties. In the absence of any settlement offers, we threatened to issue court proceedings and, in order to avoid the additional costs of litigation, the insurers for Lee Beesley and Co Limited agreed to deal with the claim in full themselves with the intention of seeking a contribution from the other involved parties at a later date.
Negotiations took place and settlement was reached approximately six months after we had been instructed. The terms of the agreement included an immediate lump sum payment to the Claimant plus provision for the Defendant to pay the costs of any private treatment should this become an option for the Claimant in the future.
Assistance with benefit application
During the course of the claim, we also assisted Mr B in applying for Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit. This is a non-means tested benefit which sufferers of asbestos disease are often entitled to. Mr B really appreciated our holistic approach in assisting with all aspects of the claim and providing a full package of services.
If you require assistance in pursuing an asbestos compensation claim for mesothelioma or 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.