Irwin Mitchell Helps Family In Battle For Justice

The widow and estate of a man who died after being exposed to deadly asbestos fibres during his time as a foreman electrician are to receive damages following the successful settlement of her case.

Leslie Rayner from Doncaster died in June 2008 after a battle with malignant mesothelioma, the cancer of the lining of the lung which is caused by exposure to asbestos dust and fibres.

However, his widow Irene and son Keith, on behalf of Mr Rayner’s estate, have been successful in their claim that his illness was caused during his 30 years of work for St Helens-based firm Pilkington Group between 1953 and 1983.

The company has accepted liability over his death and have offered a settlement of £150,000 to the Rayner family, which will be shared between Irene and Mr Rayner’s estate.

Keith Hague, the solicitor and asbestos disease claims specialist at Irwin Mitchell’s Sheffield office who represented the family in their battle for justice, said: “We are very pleased, on behalf of the Rayner family, that this difficult case has been brought to a successful conclusion.

“Asbestos is the biggest occupational killer of all time and its impact is made much worse by the fact that so many people have suffered serious health problems due to the failure of employers to adequately acknowledge the dangers.

“It is important to stress that this case has always been about getting answers and assurances that the management of asbestos is now taken seriously in the workplace.

“Cases like this should stand as an example to current businesses that they have a duty to protect their staff from the terrible risks that are posed by asbestos.”