Our client in this claim, Mr B, sadly developed mesothelioma. With all the uncertainties this diagnosis can bring, it can be an upsetting time for not only the sufferer, but their family and friends too. We took on Mr B’s claim and made sure that he could be certain of one thing, he would not have to worry about his own or his family’s financial security or the costs of obtaining private treatment.
Asbestos exposure
Mr B left school in 1954 and jumped straight into his working life with a role as an apprentice electrician, employed by a company called George E. Taylor & Co Ltd. He stayed in this role up until 1962, barring being called to do national service for two years between 1958 and 1960. As an apprentice, he would shadow fully trained electricians and help them with their day-to-day jobs. He worked on sites such as Hackney Power Station, Battersea Power Station, Bank Power Station and Deptford Power Station.
During his apprenticeship, he was exposed to asbestos by both being in proximity to asbestos lagging whilst working and also being around other workman who would use powdered asbestos in their work and when mixing this with water, would cause airborne asbestos dust in the air around Mr B. Not only this, but due to being completely unaware and not warned of the dangers of asbestos at this time, Mr B and the other workers would play around with the asbestos material, using it to form “snowballs” and throwing it at each other.
Private treatment
For mesothelioma, although chemotherapy is available free of charge on the NHS, it is not the only treatment available which can help to slow the disease down. A range of medications and immunotherapy can be obtained privately and a number of these treatments have higher success rates in cases of mesothelioma, prolonging life and improving/maintaining standards of health for those suffering with the disease. These treatments, however, come at a cost. The cost of these treatments can run into the tens of thousands. Fortunately, the costs of these can be sought from the Defendants via a claim and this is something we include in the majority of our mesothelioma claims, including Mr B’s. Recovering the costs of these treatments and ensuring that the Defendants are bound to pay for the ongoing costs of these can be of great help and comfort to our clients and their family, and can often make a difference to the prognosis.
Medical evidence
In Mr B’s claim, the professional medical opinion of Professor N. A. Maskell was provided. Professor Maskell stated that the asbestos exposure Mr B experienced during his time at George E. Taylor & Co Ltd had led to Mr B being 30% disabled from August 2021 and being 40% disabled from November 2021 to the time that the medical report was produced. The 10% progression of disablement in the space of just 4 months is a testament to just how aggressive mesothelioma can be and why the claims for this condition which allow for the payment of private treatments and any specialist equipment, care and other related expenses,are so important to the individuals involved.
Settlement and future care
Mr B’s claim was settled without the need for a final hearing, as many of our mesothelioma claims are. It was settled in the sum of £355,000.00. In addition to this settlement figure, the claim was also settled on the basis that the Defendant would fund any UK based private treatment that was recommended to Mr B by his treating doctors, allowing Mr B to explore treatment avenues which may help him to prolong his life.
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.