We secured a £225,000 compensation settlement for our client, Carol*, after she was diagnosed with mesothelioma. The diagnosis happened more than 50 years after she was exposed to asbestos.
What happened to Carol?
Carol first started to experience breathlessness in 2021 but put it down to heavy lifting after recently moving house. However, when the breathlessness didn’t go away, Carol visited A&E. While there, she had 3.5 litres of fluid drained from her lungs.
She was then referred to a respiratory specialist, who sent her for a biopsy. In October 2022, she was diagnosed with biphasic mesothelioma and given a life expectancy of between six and eight months.
The background
Until 2021, Carol had been fit and well, so her diagnosis came as a great and devastating shock. At the time of her diagnosis, she didn’t know how she could have come into contact with asbestos.
However, on reflection, she realised it likely happened when she was working as a receptionist and office manager for a home heating company in 1968.
Carol helped in the office and in the stores, which were in the lower part of the building. The stores housed asbestos flue pipes and asbestos rope, which she passed to drivers and fitters. The flue pipes were brittle and sometimes broke when handled, which spread asbestos dust and fibres into the air.
Carol also helped drivers and fitters unload bags of demolition debris, which often included asbestos materials. She frequently came into close contact with fitters and engineers, who routinely had dust on their skin, hair, and clothes.
Carol also did stock takes twice a year, which involved handling asbestos materials. The asbestos rope fibres stuck to her hands, and she also swept the storeroom, where asbestos dust and fibres dispersed into the air.
How did Irwin Mitchell help?
Carol contacted our solicitors with an aim of securing compensation for her asbestos exposure.
Her claim was handled by Virginia Chalmers, a partner and leader of our asbestos-related disease claims team. Virginia is recognised as a Leading Individual by The Legal 500 and Chambers Legal Directory – both renowned independent legal guides.
Virginia was able to secure a compensation settlement of £225,000 for Carol. This money helped to make sure the time Carol had left was as comfortable and stress-free as possible.
Expert comment
Virginia’s comments on Carol’s claim were: “Suddenly becoming ill is always a shock but learning you’ve less than a year to live is beyond description. Carol was an active and healthy person before her diagnosis of biphasic mesothelioma, and it’s inconceivable to think how she must have felt on hearing this news.
“Although Carol’s diagnosis came too late to treat her condition, I’m pleased we were able to secure enough compensation to make sure the rest of her life was comfortable.”
*Client’s name has been changed to protect anonymity.
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