Mesothelioma news
25/01/2011

Compensation for ex-policeman with work-related mesothelioma

An ex-police officer, who contracted the industrial illness mesothelioma as a result of his work investigating fires, has won a compensation claim for personal injury from his former employers.

The 62-year-old, from West Wellow in Hampshire, believed the asbestos-related illness stemmed from his exposure to the lethal fibres between 1968 and 1997.

He stated that he could also have come into contact with the cancer-causing material when he was based at the Civic Centre police station in Southampton in 1984-5, at a time when asbestos was removed during building work.

The retiree blamed his bosses for negligently failing to make proper inquiries into the known dangers of asbestos, failing to provide suitable masks, respirators and protective clothing and failing to give him a safe place of work.

Although the damages sum awarded in compensation for his work-related injury has not been made public, it is likely to include amounts to cover his suffering and loss of earnings as well as the effects on his family of his earlier-than-expected death. Hampshire Constabulary did not accept liability.