The son of a mesothelioma sufferer has received compensation following a claim against his father's former employer, Hawker Siddeley (Wolverhampton) Limited. 

Mr S worked for Hawker Siddeley (Wolverhampton) Limited (formerly known as the Electric Construction Company Limited) as an apprentice and thereafter as a control fitter and wireman at the Defendant’s factory premises at Stafford Road, Bushbury, Wolverhampton. 

Mr S worked at the company as an Apprentice Machine Fitter, but later worked as a Switch Control Fitter and Wireman. He worked at Stafford Road, Bushbury, Wolverhampton. Mr S was responsible for building and assembling heavy duty electric switchgear for power stations and various other industry buildings. He was based largely in the switchgear shop where asbestos was widely used in conjunction with electrical components and the switchgear itself was mounted onto panels of asbestos insulating boards. 

As part of his role, Mr S cut up and drilled into asbestos boards on a daily basis with electrical power tools, which caused clouds of asbestos dust fibres to be released into his immediate work environment.  Asbestos dust and fibres got onto his hands, face and clothes.  Mr S was also exposed to asbestos in power stations were he modified the less heavy duty electrical switchgear for insulation purposes.  He also worked in close proximity to laggers who mixed up the asbestos powder on site.  He was not given any form of protective equipment to protect him from exposure to asbestos, nor was he given any warnings of the dangers of working with or around asbestos.      

Mr S started to notice symptoms in or around Christmas 2009. He suffered from a cough and found it difficult to catch his breath. He also suffered with panic attacks due to his breathlessness. He attended his GP and was given a course of antibiotics, however, his symptoms progressed.  He was referred for various at the Princess Royal Hospital, Telford and a biopsy was taken which, very sadly, confirmed a diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma. Irwin Mitchell Solicitors were instructed in August 2010.  

A significant amount of work was undertaken in a very short period of time and proceedings were issued against Hawker Siddeley (Wolverhampton) Limited in September 2010 and a negotiated settlement was reached during Mr S’s lifetime.  However, Mr S passed away only days after a negotiated settlement had been reached and Irwin Mitchell liaised with his son with regard to dealing with matters on behalf of his late father’s estate. 

Ronan Hynes, a specialist in the Industrial Disease Team in Birmingham, who handled Mr S’s case said: “I am satisfied that we were able to obtain compensation on behalf of Mr S during his lifetime. However, it is tragic that Mr S passed away only days after we had agreed a settlement and the compensation has now formed part of his estate. This is another tragic case where an individual has been needlessly exposed to asbestos and has paid the ultimate price with his life. My thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time”.

If you or a loved one has been affected by an asbestos related illness, our solicitors can help you to claim compensation. See our Asbestos Claims page for more information.

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