At Asbestos Justice, we successfully secured compensation for a former joiner’s mate who developed diffuse pleural thickening following years of exposure to asbestos at work.
Our client, Mr O, worked for Fairclough Building Limited (now known as AMEC Building Limited) between approximately 1979 and 1991. During this time, he was regularly exposed to asbestos dust while assisting joiners on construction and refurbishment projects across Greater Manchester.
The condition has had a devastating impact on his quality of life, significantly restricting his daily activities and leaving him spending much of his time at home.
Despite the challenges involved, our specialist asbestos claims team secured compensation worth hundreds of thousands of pounds within just 10 months of taking over his case from another firm.
Years of Asbestos Exposure While Working as a Joiner’s Mate
Mr O worked alongside approximately 10 to 12 joiners, assisting with a wide range of construction and refurbishment tasks.
His work took him to several sites across Greater Manchester, including a housing development behind Old Trafford Cricket Ground, council properties in Wythenshawe and Rochdale, and major refurbishment projects at the Midland and Piccadilly hotels in Manchester.
Much of the work involved stripping older buildings back to their brickwork before carrying out renovations.
One of Mr O’s regular responsibilities was handling Asbestolux, a type of asbestos insulating board commonly used for fire protection at the time.
He helped carry the large sheets from pallets into properties, often moving them one at a time. Even this seemingly straightforward task released asbestos dust into the surrounding air.
He also assisted joiners by holding the boards steady while they were cut and drilled, spending around an hour each day on this work. At times, he carried out the cutting and drilling himself.
Sawing through the boards created visible clouds of dust, which Mr O breathed in as he worked. The dust also settled on his clothing, hair and skin.
With several joiners often working nearby, he was exposed not only to dust from his own tasks but also from the activities taking place around him.
Further Asbestos Exposure During Hotel Refurbishments
Mr O recalled particularly concerning conditions while working on the refurbishment of the Midland Hotel in Manchester.
The project involved stripping out large sections of the building, including old insulation boards believed to contain asbestos.
During the work, air testing reportedly identified the presence of brown asbestos. Specialist contractors were subsequently brought in to remove asbestos materials within enclosed areas.
However, Mr O had already been working in the building, carrying out demolition and refurbishment tasks in dusty conditions.
The initial project lasted approximately eight to twelve months, with further work taking place at the hotel between 1984 and 1986.
He also worked at the Piccadilly Hotel, where his duties included clearing large quantities of building waste.
Cleaning Up Asbestos Dust Without Protection
As well as assisting the joiners, Mr O was regularly responsible for cleaning up after their work.
This included collecting broken pieces of Asbestolux, disposing of waste materials and sweeping dusty work areas with a brush and shovel.
At the Piccadilly Hotel, waste was collected in a cage and lowered using an external lift. Mr O spent approximately 90 minutes each day clearing debris and sweeping floors.
No water was used to damp down the dust before sweeping, meaning asbestos particles were disturbed and released back into the air.
The resulting dust clouds would settle on his clothes, hair and skin, adding to the exposure he had already experienced throughout the working day.
No Warnings About the Dangers of Asbestos
Perhaps most concerning was that Mr O was never warned about the dangers of working with asbestos-containing materials.
He recalled being told by his employer that Asbestolux did not contain asbestos, despite the material being widely used for its fire-resistant properties.
He was not provided with a face mask or any other form of respiratory protection, even when cutting, drilling and sweeping up materials that generated significant amounts of dust.
As a result, Mr O continued carrying out his duties without understanding the potential long-term consequences for his health.
The Impact of Diffuse Pleural Thickening on Mr O’s Life
Years after his exposure to asbestos, Mr O developed diffuse pleural thickening, a condition in which the lining of the lungs becomes thickened and scarred.
The condition can restrict the lungs’ ability to expand properly, causing breathlessness and making everyday activities increasingly difficult.
For Mr O, the effects have been life-changing.
His symptoms have significantly reduced his independence and quality of life, limiting many of his activities to the family home.
To support his compensation claim, our team obtained detailed medical evidence from a specialist respiratory consultant. This helped establish the nature and severity of his condition and the impact it was having on his daily life.
We also worked closely with Mr O to build a detailed picture of his employment history and asbestos exposure, ensuring that the circumstances surrounding his illness were fully documented.
Pleural Thickening Compensation Secured
Through careful preparation, detailed evidence gathering and specialist knowledge of asbestos-related disease claims, we successfully recovered compensation worth hundreds of thousands of pounds for Mr O.
The settlement was achieved within just 10 months of our team taking over his case from another firm.
While no amount of compensation can undo the damage caused by asbestos exposure, the settlement provides Mr O with financial security and recognition of the serious impact the condition has had on his life.
How Asbestos Justice Can Help
Diffuse pleural thickening can develop decades after exposure to asbestos, often making it difficult for people to identify exactly when and where they came into contact with the material.
That’s why it’s important to investigate a person’s full employment history and gather detailed evidence of how their exposure occurred, even if the work took place many years ago.
At Asbestos Justice, we understand how difficult living with an asbestos-related condition can be. Our specialist team has extensive experience investigating historic asbestos exposure and helping people pursue the compensation they deserve.
If you have been diagnosed with diffuse pleural thickening or another asbestos-related disease, we are here to help you understand your options.
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.