We have recently succeeded in a claim for pleural thickening compensation for Mr S who developed troubling breathing problems back in early 2018.
He underwent full lung function tests which confirmed that he had developed a “restrictive defect” on his lung function connected to his asbestos-related disease. It is often advisable for those seeking legal advice on a potential asbestos disease claim to undergo these tests to assess whether the condition is causing breathing problems, triggering a claim for asbestos disease compensation.
Mr S was exposed to asbestos when working for two employers including Steel and Co Limited, which later traded under the name of Steel Group Limited, between 1964/64 and 1973/74. The company was based at the Crown Works, Pallion, Sunderland.
Heavy Exposure
His work as an apprentice heating engineer brought Mr S into contact with pipe lagging and boiler lagging. For instance, if a boiler section had cracked or split, he would carry out necessary repairs as part of his apprenticeship. He would have to strip the fibrous lagging from the boiler and from the pipework leading from it. He would place the asbestos debris in a bin until he had completed the repair. He would then mix the binned lagging with water to reapply it to the boiler and pipework from where he had removed it. As an apprentice, he was given the dustier, horrible jobs to do.
Smashing away at the hardened asbestos lagging with hammers and chisels resulted in vast quantities of asbestos dust being released into the atmosphere. Mr S was never provided with any warnings or a mask to protect him. This was relied upon as proof of negligence in the successful pleural thickening claim.
Exposure at schools with local council
Mr S also worked for Sunderland Corporation, part of what is now Sunderland Borough Council, as a fully qualified heating engineer.
He remembers working at a number of locations for the council including many school sites. He recalled working at Washington Comprehensive School carrying out refurbishment work to the heating system. There was a boiler room which measured around 5 metres squared. All of the pipework and the boiler itself was lagged with asbestos. Mr. S had to remove the lagging with hammers, chisels and an axe. It was alleged that this resulted in him breathing in a huge amount of asbestos dust in an area with virtually no ventilation.
He continued to be exposed to asbestos on a regular basis until health and safety policies were introduced in the early 1980s. By this time, it was too late for Mr S who had been exposed to harmful amounts of asbestos dust for many years.
Medical evidence supported the claim
Medical evidence was obtained from a respiratory physician in support of the claim for pleural thickening compensation. This confirmed that Mr S had developed a 40% respiratory disability, half of which was due to his asbestos-related pleural thickening. The claim settled on a provisional damages basis for tens of thousands of pounds. Mr S will be able to return to claim further asbestos disease compensation if his condition deteriorates over time.
If you require assistance in pursuing a pleural thickening claim or believe you have a valid claim for asbestos disease compensation for any other condition, 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.