Unite and Thompsons supported members’ family following mesothelioma diagnosis
The family of a Unite member who died after developing an asbestos-related disease has received compensation.
The former design draftsman died less than six months after being diagnosed with mesothelioma, just one week after his 80th birthday.
He worked for an appliance manufacturer in Peterborough from 1970 to 1981, where he designed and inspected machine parts insulated with asbestos lagging. However, his employer didn’t provide him with any protection from inhaling asbestos dust, or warn him about the risks.
In 2014, after suffering from lethargy and breathlessness, he visited his doctor. He was sent for further tests which confirmed the diagnosis of mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is a fatal form of cancer that develops decades after exposure to asbestos. There are currently around 2,500 people diagnosed with the disease each year in the UK.
Before his death, he contacted Unite Legal Services and instructed Thompsons Solicitors to make a compensation claim.
His family was thankful for the “professionalism” and “dedication” shown by Unite Legal Services and Thompsons during the claim.
“It was tragic for all of us to see him change from a fit and healthy man so quickly after finding out he had the horrible disease,” said the member’s daughter-in-law. “We took him to the doctors as soon as he got ill but little did we know that his breathing problems were the result of asbestos exposure more than 30 years previous. It’s almost unbelievable that he was allowed to work near asbestos for so long without any kind of protection.
“The pain of losing my father-in-law still hurts. If it wasn’t for the fantastic work of Unite Legal Services and Thompsons Solicitors in bringing closure on why this happened, and supporting our family throughout the case, I don’t know what we would have done.”
Kevin Hepworth, East Midlands regional legal officer at Unite the Union, said: “Our member’s family has tragically seen first-hand the dangers of working with or around asbestos. Unfortunately this is not an unusual case, and we have supported thousands of members and their families who have lost loved ones as a result of this deadly disease, ensuring they receive 100 per cent of the compensation without any deductions.
“We hope that the support of Unite’s specialist legal service has helped not only to secure substantial compensation but also to bring some comfort and closure for the family.”
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.