29.12.2014
John Teasdale, 67, from Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, was diagnosed with mesothelioma in September 2013 after suffering from pain in his back and breathlessness for a few months.
Lawyers at Irwin Mitchell’s Newcastle office secured the settlement from his former employers George V Cummins Ltd, where he worked between 1962 and 1970, and Energy and Marine (Wearside) Ltd, which was formerly known as Sunderland Forge, where he worked between 1970 and 1972 and again from 1974 to 1991.
The case against Mr Teasdale’s former employers was aided by his former colleagues coming forward to reveal the conditions he worked in and how he was exposed to asbestos, which caused his mesothelioma – a cancer of the lining of the lungs.
During his employment with George V Cummins, John, a father-of-two, was exposed to asbestos when fitting lighting in buildings alongside other tradesmen, who disturbed asbestos lagging whilst working on boilers and pipe work.
In his time with Energy and Marine (Wearside) Ltd John spent time working at a number of hospitals in the north-east, where he was required to drill into walls, lift floor boards and spend time in loft voids, where he once again came into contact with asbestos lagging and a dusty atmosphere.
John was not offered any form of breathing mask or respiratory equipment while working for the two companies, despite spending time in dusty environment, where he inhaled a substantial quantity of asbestos dust and fibres.
Roger Maddocks, Partner and an expert asbestos lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, leading the case, said:
Specialist Asbestos-Related Disease Lawyers At Irwin Mitchell Secure Settlement For Sunderland Man Exposed To Deadly Substance
Industrial illness experts at law firm Irwin Mitchell have secured an undisclosed settlement for a retired Sunderland electrician who was diagnosed with mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos during his working life.John Teasdale, 67, from Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, was diagnosed with mesothelioma in September 2013 after suffering from pain in his back and breathlessness for a few months.
Lawyers at Irwin Mitchell’s Newcastle office secured the settlement from his former employers George V Cummins Ltd, where he worked between 1962 and 1970, and Energy and Marine (Wearside) Ltd, which was formerly known as Sunderland Forge, where he worked between 1970 and 1972 and again from 1974 to 1991.
The case against Mr Teasdale’s former employers was aided by his former colleagues coming forward to reveal the conditions he worked in and how he was exposed to asbestos, which caused his mesothelioma – a cancer of the lining of the lungs.
During his employment with George V Cummins, John, a father-of-two, was exposed to asbestos when fitting lighting in buildings alongside other tradesmen, who disturbed asbestos lagging whilst working on boilers and pipe work.
In his time with Energy and Marine (Wearside) Ltd John spent time working at a number of hospitals in the north-east, where he was required to drill into walls, lift floor boards and spend time in loft voids, where he once again came into contact with asbestos lagging and a dusty atmosphere.
John was not offered any form of breathing mask or respiratory equipment while working for the two companies, despite spending time in dusty environment, where he inhaled a substantial quantity of asbestos dust and fibres.
Roger Maddocks, Partner and an expert asbestos lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, leading the case, said:
Expert Opinion
John was an electrician for many years and spent a lot of that time working in very dusty environment and in close proximity to asbestos lagging.
“Unfortunately, he was not warned of the dangers of asbestos and was not provided with any equipment to prevent his inhaling the hazardous substance. The dangers of exposure to asbestos have been well known for decades and it is completely unacceptable that workers were simply not protected or warned of the dangers of the dust.
“I would also like to thank those who came forward with information about the working conditions John was exposed to in his employment at George V Cummins and Energy and Marine Ltd, as this information proved crucial in securing justice for John, his wife, Tracey and their family.” Roger Maddocks - Partner
John said: “I am delighted that my former colleagues came forward to help me in my legal battIe. I was absolutely devastated when I was diagnosed with mesothelioma, which was caused purely by going to work and doing my job.
“The diagnosis left me and my family completely shell-shocked and we are all still struggling to come to terms with it and what the future holds for us. My experience has also made me extremely angry as I was never given any information on the risks I was being exposed to at work.
“I am delighted my legal team has now secured this settlement from my former employers and that they have been held to account for their actions.”
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of exposure to asbestos, our expert mesothelioma lawyers could help you claim compensation. See our Asbestos-Related Disease Claims Guide for more information.
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