At Asbestos Justice, we successfully secured £75,000 in pleural thickening compensation for a former shipyard worker after he developed an asbestos-related disease decades after being exposed to asbestos during his employment.
The case highlights how workers exposed to asbestos many years ago can still be entitled to claim compensation, even if their symptoms have only recently appeared.
Decades of Asbestos Exposure in the Shipbuilding Industry
Mr W worked for several major shipbuilding companies throughout the 1960s and 1970s, including The Mercantile Dry Dock Company Limited, Goole Shipbuilding Co Limited, Smiths Dock Limited, Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson Limited and Vickers Armstrong Shipbuilders Limited.
Like many shipyard workers of that era, he worked in environments where asbestos was used extensively and where little protection was provided against the harmful dust it created.
As a joiner, Mr W regularly worked around tradesmen removing old asbestos insulation from pipes and accommodation areas aboard ships. The removal of asbestos lagging and sheeting released thick clouds of dust into confined spaces, where it could easily be inhaled. Even routine cleaning at the end of the day disturbed settled asbestos dust, increasing workers’ exposure.
Mr W was also required to cut and install asbestos sheeting inside ships’ cabins for one to two hours every day. At the same time, laggers were removing asbestos insulation, repairing pipework with raw asbestos fibres and working directly above him, causing asbestos dust to fall onto his work area.
This repeated exposure over many years resulted in him breathing in significant amounts of asbestos dust throughout his working life.
Diagnosed with Asbestos-Related Pleural Thickening
In May 2023, Mr W began experiencing increasing breathlessness and was later diagnosed with diffuse pleural thickening, a serious asbestos-related condition that causes permanent scarring and thickening of the lining of the lungs.
To support his asbestos compensation claim, we obtained independent medical evidence from both a consultant radiologist and a respiratory physician.
The medical experts concluded that Mr W’s pleural thickening had been caused by his occupational asbestos exposure. They also confirmed that the condition had reduced his lung function, leaving him unable to walk more than around 50 yards on level ground without becoming significantly short of breath.
In addition, the experts confirmed that his asbestos exposure placed him at an increased risk of developing other serious asbestos-related diseases in the future, including mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer and asbestosis.
£75,000 Pleural Thickening Compensation Secured
Taking into account these future health risks, Mr W decided to settle his claim on a provisional damages basis.
This allowed him to recover £75,000 in compensation while preserving his legal right to bring a further claim if he later develops another serious asbestos-related illness or if his pleural thickening significantly worsens.
The claim was successfully concluded just over a year after Mr W first instructed Asbestos Justice to act on his behalf.
Can I Claim Pleural Thickening Compensation?
If you have been diagnosed with pleural thickening after being exposed to asbestos at work, you may be entitled to claim compensation.
Many people were exposed to asbestos decades ago in industries such as shipbuilding, construction, engineering, power generation and manufacturing. Symptoms often do not develop until many years after the exposure occurred.
At Asbestos Justice, we specialise exclusively in asbestos disease compensation claims. Our experienced solicitors have helped people across the UK secure compensation for pleural thickening, mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer and asbestosis.
Speak to Our Specialist Asbestos Solicitors
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with pleural thickening or another asbestos-related disease, contact Asbestos Justice today for free, no-obligation advice.
Our specialist team can assess your claim, explain your legal options and help you secure the compensation you deserve.
Call us today on 0800 038 6767 or complete our online enquiry form to speak with one of our experienced asbestos compensation solicitors.