We have recently settled a claim for a client who suffered significant exposure to asbestos whilst working for Cape Asbestos in their Factory at Acre Mill in Hebden Bridge.
Weaving asbestos
Mrs L was employed as a weaver. She also worked on the spinning machines. Her job involved making rolls of asbestos for use in asbestos products. Cape made all sorts of asbestos products including asbestos yarn and cloth, corrugated sheets, rope and insulation.
The weaving involved loading the looms with asbestos bobbins and keeping the machines running. She was regularly required to reload the bobbins and fix any broken asbestos threads. The spinning involved spinning the asbestos onto the bobbins.
There were lots of workers in the factory arranged in rows on the machines. Our client described the working environment as being extremely dusty with asbestos dust blowing everywhere all around them as they worked. She said it was like this all day, every day.
She would come home from work at the end of each day covered in dust. Her hair would be full of it too.
No protection
Despite the high levels of asbestos exposure, she was not provided with a mask or any other breathing equipment. She could not avoid breathing in the asbestos dust and fibres.
She described sitting on the sacks of asbestos at lunchtime and said they just did not think anything about it. The sacks of asbestos were just lying around and they were not warned of the dangers of being exposed to asbestos dust.
Onset of symptoms and smoking history
Mrs L began to suffer with a cough in early 2018. It just would not go away and so eventually she went to the doctor and was referred for an x-ray and later CT scan. This confirmed that she had asbestos on her lungs and sadly a diagnosis of lung cancer was made.
Even though Mrs L had been a smoker, the medical evidence obtained in further support of the claim confirmed that her risk of developing lung cancer had been significantly increased by her exposure to asbestos. It is known that exposure to asbestos and a smoking history combine to have a synergistic effect result in a much higher risk of developing lung cancer.
Successful claim
We were successful in obtaining £87,500 of compensation giving her the ability to pay for any additional care and assistance that she may require in the future.
If you require assistance in pursuing an asbestos compensation claim for mesothelioma or 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.