Our industrial disease solicitors have secured six figure compensation for a haulage driver given just five years to live after exposure to dust from animal feed while at work caused an incurable lung disease.
Ian first started to notice tightness in his chest shortly after his 50th birthday. He was getting out of breath easily after only light exercise and he, and his partner Laura, began to worry.
After undergoing lung tests in hospital, doctors told Ian his lung capacity was severely reduced to 52%. A CT scan led to him being diagnosed with hypersensitivity pneumonitis, a condition which, in Ian’s case, turned out to be terminal.
Our experts found that Ian’s employer had failed to protect him from exposure to dust from various animal feeds during his time as a lorry driver. We secured a compensation settlement that will cover both the costs of his treatment and necessary alterations to his house that will allow him to live comfortably for his remaining years.
Ian said: “From the moment I received my first diagnosis I wanted answers, not just for me and Laura but for the children. When I was told I also had secondary pulmonary fibrosis and that my condition was now terminal it made the battle for answers even more important.
“The settlement can’t take away what has happened to me or give me more time with my family, but it can fund the changes to our home to make sure I can live comfortably during the time I have left.”
Ian wed Laura, his partner of 20 years, in a registry office ceremony in Stone, Staffordshire shortly after being diagnosed with the terminal lung disease.
“Marrying Laura is a new chapter, and being able to access the right support and equipment to help me live with my condition will mean I have the best possible quality of life for however long it lasts.”
They now plan to use some of the settlement to make their home more liveable by adding wheelchair access and installing a downstairs bedroom and wet room.
Ian was represented by Alex Shorey, an expert industrial disease lawyer at Irwin Mitchell.
Alex said: “While nothing can turn back the clock, we are pleased to have been able to secure Ian a settlement which will ensure that he maintains a quality of life and independence during the remaining time he has with his family.
“Businesses have a duty of care to their staff and an obligation to keep them safe from the risks posed by their job. It is imperative that lessons are learned from Ian’s case so that no other employees suffer as he has.”
“We hope that the conclusion of this case allows both Ian and Laura to move on and enjoy married life together.”
If you or a loved one suffer from breathing problems that you think may have been caused by unsafe working conditions, contact our industrial disease lawyers to find out if you can make a compensation claim. Call 0370 1500 100 or contact us online to find out more.
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