Asbestos-Related Disease
The family of a former British Rail worker has won compensation following his death from an asbestos-related disease.
Bill Bulled, 66, from Croydon, died from mesothelioma in November 2005, just a month after he married his second wife Elaine, and just a few months after he was diagnosed with the devastating disease.
Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to dangerous asbestos dust. There is no cure for the disease.
Bill, a granddad of two, was exposed to the dust when he worked for British Rail at the Selhurst Depot, near Croydon between 1963 and 1993 as a fitter and overseer.
He was employed removing asbestos brake shoes and linings and overseeing the stripping out of asbestos panels from trains and carriages.
He was not warned about the dangers his job could pose or given any protection from breathing in the asbestos dust.
Mesothelioma
Bill began his fight for compensation when he was diagnosed in August 2005 with help from his union the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) and their lawyers, Thompsons Solicitors.
His wife, Elaine said he would be pleased to know his family would now be provided for.
She said: “Bill was not angry when he found out he had mesothelioma. He was the sort of person who took everything in his stride but he felt it was important to claim compensation for his family. He would have been pleased to know his union’s solicitors have made sure that we have received full compensation.”
Client representative at Thompsons Solicitors, Jane McCool said: “We are pleased we have been able to win a significant amount of compensation for Mr Bulled’s family.
“Mesothelioma is a terrible disease, which cut short his life and many other people’s lives. By fighting this case on behalf of this client we have been able to fulfill Mr Bulled’s wish that his family will be adequately provided for following his death.”
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.