Six Figure Mesothelioma Compensation Case

Mesothelioma caused by Asbestos exposure at work

A Hartlepool engineer has received a six figure compensation award after being diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease.

Mr W was diagnosed with Mesothelioma, a terminal cancer of the lining of the lung caused by exposure to asbestos, in June 2006.

In April 2006, Mr W   began to suffer from flu like symptoms. He went to his GP and was referred to Hartlepool Hospital where he underwent a bronchoscopy and CT scan before the diagnosis was made.

Mr W was exposed to asbestos while working for Organically Coated Steel Limited, (formerly Richardsons Westgarth (Hartlepool) Limited), as an apprentice fitter/engineer at their yard at Hartlepool, for Caltex (UK) Ltd as a watchkeeper (later he became fourth and then second engineer), and for Esso as a Senior Second Engineer.

When working for Richardsons Westgarth he came into contact with asbestos while fitting metal sheet cladding on the pipework for vessels to protect the insulation which had been put in place. While working for Caltex and Esso he was exposed to asbestos as he was removing asbestos block lagging from around the pipework.

Lucy Proctor, of Irwin Mitchell’s specialist Asbestos Related Disease Team in Newcastle, brought an action against Organically Coated Steels Limited as the first defendant and Caltex (UK) LTD as the second defendant.

In the case management conference in September 2007, judgement was made against the First Defendant. However, the First Defendant was unable to pay Mr  W's compensation.

In October 2007 the Second Defendant admitted liability and were ordered to make an interim payment of £47,000 to Mr W before a final settlement was reached in January 2008.

If you have been affected by mesothelioma caused by previous exposure to asbestos at work. Fill in our online claims form here for a free case assessment.