Injury compensation news

Carpenter suffering from mesothelioma awarded damages

A carpenter suffering from mesothelioma has been awarded £400,000 in damages from his former employer.

Mr Dahele, 52, of East Ham, was exposed to asbestos whilst working as a carpenter on a block of flats in Stratford between 1975 and 1977.

Mr Dahele said he was required to saw and drill sheets of asbestos for Thomas Bates and Sons Ltd and was showered with tiny particles of poisonous fibres when the scaffolding was taken down.

In October 2005, he was diagnosed with having the industrial illness, mesothelioma, and decided to make a personal injury claim against his former employer.

Thomas Bates and Sons Ltd accepted liability for Mr Dahele's asbestos related disease in the High Court and agreed to pay him £400,000 damages and £3,900.50 DSS benefits.

Mr Dahele's personal injury solicitor said, "This is one of the highest awards in this type of claim and it will assist in paying for chemotherapy, which is no longer available on the NHS, and looking after his young family."

Mr Justice Walker said that considering Mr Dahele's current state of health and suffering from mesothelioma, the case needed be dealt with as soon as possible.