Accident claim news
21/03/2007

Asbestos compensation claim made by widow

The family of a man who died from an asbestos-related disease have made a compensation claim against his former employer for £300,000.

The man's widow claims that he was exposed to asbestos whilst working for an oil refinery in Kent during the 1960s.

Her husband passed away after being diagnosed with mesothelioma and now, with the help of personal injury solicitors, she is hoping to gain compensation for his suffering.

Before the man died from the industrial disease he described the working conditions of the oil refinery and said, "The asbestos was used as an insulating and lagging material around the tanks.

"The asbestos insulation was a very fine, dusty material and was similar in texture to cotton wool. Men would stand on the top and throw bales of insulation down to us.

"We would pack asbestos insulation as tightly as possible into the cavities. We would push it into crevices with our feet and hands.

"The atmosphere inside the cavities was thick with asbestos dust and fibres which were released from the insulation."

The widow's personal injury solicitor commented on the work injury claim and said, "He was a talented man who was prematurely taken from his family.

"No amount of money could ever compensate his family for their loss. This case involves a point of principle."

The man's former employers have not commented on the compensation claim.