An 86-year-old former plumber is claiming victory in his work compensation claim after spending more than a decade exposed to deadly asbestos dust.
Cyril Faulkner, from Woodland near Bishop Auckland in County Durham, worked for Hawkins and Holmes Limited between 1961 and 1973, during which time he repaired boilers and flue pipes, without being provided with any protective equipment to mitigate the damage done by asbestos exposure.
Cyril told the Northern Echo that he was "devastated" when he was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2008, following years of loyal service, adding that Hawkins and Holmes "would have known and understood that [he] was working with such a dangerous materials, but yet did noting to stop [him] from inhaling the asbestos dust".
After his undisclosed work compensation claim was settled out of court, he added that he was "relieved that Hawkins and Holmes has now been brought to justice for the blatant disregard which it has shown [him] and [his] colleagues who also would have been exposed to asbestos".
The long period between Cyril’s asbestos exposure and being diagnosed isn’t unusual in mesothelioma cases, as it can take between 10 and 60 years to develop.
Another man who was exposed to asbestos in the 60s and 70s will be hoping for a similar result when he makes his work compensation claim, in order for him to pay for his care.
Colin Holstein believes that his case of mesothelioma is due to his time in the cellars of two Stockport hotels – the Alma Lodge and the Brocket – between 1967 and 1972. The 61-year-old believes that asbestos lagging on the pipes in the cellars has caused his illness, which he was diagnosed with in December 2009.
Although he in no way holds the current owners Wetherspoons responsible, Colin is making a work compensation claim as he has had to retire early due to the illness.
These two cases are unusual, insomuch as both feature the victim making the work compensation claim themselves. Quite often, it is left to the families of victims to seek compensation, as sufferers typically only survive for six months to a year after the onset of the disease.
The Health and Safety Executive’s 2009/2010 figures show that around 4,000 people each year die of asbestos exposure related cancers – including mesothelioma – a number that has continued to rise annually.
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