Tom struggles to walk and has lost his appetite since developing the asbestos disease
An Essex man exposed to asbestos during the 1950s and 60s has received a substantial settlement following his diagnosis of mesothelioma.
"Unite Legal Services has supported my family, with the help of Thompsons Solicitors, by advising me on my options and quickly secured compensation so that we can cover the costs of adaptations to my home. That’ll hopefully make my life easier. Their support has helped relieve a lot of the anxiety about how my family will manage in the future."Tom Church Thompsons Solicitors asbestos diseases client
Tom Church, 88, worked at two train depots between 1950 and 1965, first as a general handyman and later a train wagon inspector. He would often work alongside colleagues who were removing and mixing asbestos lagging, and would also disturb asbestos dust while inspecting the wagons, further increasing his exposure to the toxic substance.
In July 2016, Tom developed a cough that he assumed was a cold. However, when it failed to subside he visited his doctor. After further visits he was given a CT scan and had fluid drained from his lung, at which point he was diagnosed with the asbestos-related disease, mesothelioma.
Tom now requires a wheelchair as he becomes too tired walking. He has a cough and has lost his appetite.
He contacted Unite Legal Services and instructed Thompsons Solicitors to make a compensation claim.
Tom said: “On a day-to-day basis I need help from my family with almost everything I do, from walking to washing and getting dressed. My daughter, Sheree, and her husband have moved into my house to look after me, which I never thought would happen as I used to be so independent and active.
“For years I’d come home from work dusty and dirty, but I didn’t ever think anything of it – and certainly not that it would cause me an illness later in life.
“Unite Legal Services has supported my family, with the help of Thompsons Solicitors, by advising me on my options and quickly secured compensation so that we can cover the costs of adaptations to my home. That’ll hopefully make my life easier. Their support has helped relieve a lot of the anxiety about how my family will manage in the future.”
Peter Kavanagh, London and Eastern regional secretary from Unite the Union, said: “Unfortunately, too many former rail and industry workers have gone on to develop mesothelioma and other asbestos related illnesses, and Tom is no exception. Long-term asbestos exposure at work has left him extremely ill and in need of near constant care from his family.
“Unite Legal Services is proud to support its members who have developed an illness or disease as a result of their employer’s negligence, even if the exposure is several decades old, to secure the highest amount of compensation as quickly as possible.”
Asbestos disease diagnosis? Talk to us for advice and support on how to secure compensation.
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, we can support you with advice on how to make a claim.
The process will be explained in plain English and with no obligation – our priority is to provide you with the best, expert advice on whether you have a valid case for compensation, and to signpost you to further sources of support.
There are strict time limits applied to making a claim – usually three years from the date of diagnosis. It doesn’t matter if the exposure to asbestos took place – as it often does – decades ago, the three year time limit applies to the date of knowledge of diagnosis or date of death.
For further information, visit our How to Make A Compensation Claim page.