Our specialist asbestos solicitors have secured five-figure compensation for the family of a woman who died from mesothelioma aged just 67.
Mrs J started working for Willett (Industrial Buildings) Ltd when she was only 17, her second job after leaving school. The company specialised in preparing materials for pre-fabricated buildings, including flooring, windows, doors and vinyl.
Mrs J enjoyed the ‘hands on’ aspect of her job. She laid tiles, sanded windows and inserted glass into windows and doors. Another part of her job involved cutting asbestos sheets to size using a band saw. This was a messy, dusty task, leaving her clothes and hair covered with fine asbestos dust.
The company didn’t warn Mrs J of the dangers of inhaling asbestos, and they also failed to provide her with any protective clothing or equipment. The workplace was open-plan, so clouds of asbestos dust freely spread around the factory, and the extractor fitted to the band saw was ineffective.
Mrs J worked at Willett Ltd for six years, between 1965 and 1971. It was in October 2015 when she started experiencing pain in the left-hand side of her chest. This soon developed into severe chest pains, in addition to breathlessness, fatigue, nausea and weight-loss.
Mrs J was diagnosed with mesothelioma – a type of cancer commonly linked to asbestos – in 2016. Some of her most severe symptoms were chronic nausea and abdominal pain, as well as the anxiety of knowing that she had fatal condition.
She had chemotherapy and a blood transfusion, but Mrs J’s condition still deteriorated. In the last weeks of her life, she needed high levels of pain relief medication and nursing care. Sadly, Mrs J passed away later that year, at just 67 years old. She left behind two children and two grandchildren.
Mrs J’s daughter got in touch with our asbestos-related disease solicitors to see if we could help her make a compensation claim on behalf of her mum. We investigated Mrs J’s working history and were able to secure a five-figure settlement for Mrs J’s family from her former employers.
Mrs J’s daughter told of the effect her mother’s premature death had on the family. “My mum passing away has had a massive impact on us all. The fact that she was taken away so suddenly was devastating, and it is difficult knowing that she is missing out on so much with her grandchildren.”
Solicitor Satinder Bains who took on the case, commented: “We see many tragic cases where people who were exposed to workplace asbestos develop fatal illnesses later in life. Mrs J should have been able to work safely, and I am pleased we were able to secure compensation for her family in the face of their loss.”
If you or someone you love has been affected by an asbestos related disease, you may be able to make a claim. Visit our Asbestos Disease claims page for more information.
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