Expert Industrial Disease Lawyers Help Secure Justice To Provide Future Support

A former factory worker suffering from a debilitating industrial illness caused by exposure to asbestos dust has received justice from the two companies responsible for his exposure to the deadly dust.

Mr Bold, of North Humberside, was diagnosed with pleural thickening, which causes the lining of the lungs to thicken leaving him short of breath in April 2010. He worked at Greenwood and Batley factory, which manufactured steam turbines on Armley Road, in Leeds for 22 years, from 1962 to 1984.  He joined the company as an apprentice and then qualified as a capstan lathe operator. 

Following the diagnosis, Mr Bold instructed specialist industrial disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate how and where he was exposed to asbestos.  As a result of their investigations, it was established that not only had he been exposed to the deadly dust at Greenwood and Batley but also where he grew up in Armley, in Leeds, across from the now notorious J W Roberts Factory.

The factory closed in the 1950s but left a deadly legacy in the community, as it spewed out asbestos dust which covered the streets and houses in the vicinity. Irwin Mitchell successfully settled Mr Bold’s case on a provisional basis and protected his position for the future in the event that his condition progresses.

Nicola Handley, an asbestos related disease expert at Irwin Mitchell’s Leeds office, said: “The past few years has been incredibly difficult for Mr Bold particularly due to the fact that if his former colleague had not come forward with the vital information that was required, he may not have successfully settled his claim and protected his position for the future.

“Pleural thickening is a divisible disease and strong evidence needed to be obtained in order ascertain how much asbestos he would have been exposed to whilst he was growing up and going to school opposite the J W Roberts factory and also whilst working at Greenwood & Batley.

“Industrial illnesses like these have a devastating impact on the lives of victims like Mr Bold who also have to deal with the knowledge that they may develop a terminal condition together with a reduction in their quality of life.  He was not only exposed to asbestos at work but also throughout his childhood and it was important for us to secure justice for him from both firms to ensure that they are accountable.

“No amount of money can make up for the illness Mr Bold but the settlement will provide him with peace of mind.”

After a successful witness appeal was made on behalf of Mr Bold for information about the working practices at Greenwood and Batley and he was very pleased when a former colleague came forward. The information that he was able to provide was vital in securing justice for Mr Bold.

Irwin Mitchell has also represented many clients who have been diagnosed with asbestos related conditions as a result of asbestos exposure from the former J W Roberts factory.

One former client, June Hancock, who was diagnosed with the terminal condition of mesothelioma, following exposure to asbestos dust from the J W Roberts Factory in Armley, won a landmark victory against multi-national firm Turner Newall for negligent environmental exposure to asbestos which thankfully paved the way for others like Mr Bold to seek justice.

Commenting on his case, Mr Bold said: “My condition has had a massive impact on my life and to think it was caused by not only where I was employed, but the area I used to live in more than 50 years ago was a huge shock.   I was not aware of the dangers of going to school and the fact that it could result in an illness so many years later.

“The factory was also always so dirty and dusty but I was never warned about the dangers of asbestos nor was I given a mask or any other protective breathing equipment.

I am just thankful that the witness appeal was successful and that I now have protection for the future.”

For more information on claiming please visit our pleural thickening compensation page.