Specialist Lawyers At Irwin Mitchell Secured Settlement Award For Dad-of-Three

A former Stone Mason from Yorkshire that was diagnosed with Silicosis, an incurable occupational lung disease, is to receive a settlement award from his former employers after instructing specialist industrial illness lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate how he was exposed to the harmful substance and why more was not done to protect him.

Christopher Jones, originally from the Midlands, was diagnosed with the disease in 2013 following a year of suffering from breathlessness, which is linked to exposure to silica dust and causes serious breathing difficulties.

The 52-year-old used to create beautiful stone work such as feature fireplaces and undertake restoration works to historical buildings such as Blackpool Town Hall, Chirk Castle in Wales and theatres and churches across the country.  However, he has been advised by healthcare professionals to not return to work in the stone industry as his condition will progress.

The father-of-three instructed specialist industrial disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to find answers for how he was exposed to the silica dust which caused his condition and why more was not done to protect him.

Now, his legal team have secured settlements with two of Christopher’s former employers; John Laing Plc, where Christopher worked between 1988 and 1994 and Smith Stone Sales, formerly, Dave Smith Stone Sales, where Christopher worked between 1996 up until his diagnosis. The settlement will ensure that Christopher and his family are cared for as he is no longer able to return to work as a stone mason.

Chris said: “I am happy that my legal team has secured me this settlement which will provide some security for myself and my family. I enjoyed working as a stone mason and now cannot imagine doing anything else.  

“Regrettably, many of the sites that I worked at were incredibly dirty and dusty and I got covered in dust every day. I couldn’t help but breathe it in.  I was never warned about how dangerous silica dust could be for my health or given a suitable mask to wear to protect me from the worst of it.

“Since my diagnosis I have suffered with the psychological effects of living with a long term occupational lung disease and I hope my experience can serve as a warning to others to ensure they are safe at work.”

Chris first realised that he was seriously ill when he started to have breathing problems in 2012.  He underwent several investigations before he was diagnosed with the serious condition.

Nicola Handley, an industrial disease expert from Irwin Mitchell’s Leeds office, said: 

Expert Opinion

“Silicosis is a serious illness which can be very distressing for victims like Chris and their families. Silicosis is incurable and it can often develop to leave victims unable to carry out many day to day tasks and also have fatal consequences.

“Chris wasn’t given any adequate protective equipment or warned about the dangers of working with silica during his career. It is awful that he is now ill simply because he went to work every day.

“We are delighted to have secured this settlement, after issuing court proceedings, to ensure security and stability for Christopher and his family.” Nicola Handley - Senior Associate Solicitor