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You are in: Home Page | News Desk | News Story

16th December 2008

Royal Shakespeare Company employee develops asbestos related disease

Diagnosed with Pleural Thickening

Alan Morris, 71, from Ivybridge in South Devon, was diagnosed with pleural thickening in 2005 after he went to his doctor with breathing difficulties. The condition is not fatal.

When Alan was diagnosed he contacted his union BECTU which instructed asbestos claims specialists Thompsons Solicitors to pursue a claim for compensation.

Liability was admitted and the claim was settled for a final payment of £18,000.

Exposed to asbestos at work

Mr Morris was exposed to asbestos while working for the RSC in Stratford Upon Avon as a carpenter before becoming responsible for the technical side of the company’s shows backstage.

He worked for the RSC for 39 years working his way up from stage hand in 1958 to master carpenter when he retired in 1997.

Asbestos was present in the stage safety curtains, stage props and in the fabric of the buildings he worked in.

He said during the early days of his work he did not realise the dangers asbestos could pose to his health. After he retired he heard of a former colleague who died from asbestos related cancer mesothelioma which alerted him to how dangerous asbestos is.

He said: “Most people associate asbestos with people who work in ship yards and heavy industry but I am proof that this can happen to anyone. By pursuing compensation I wanted to make people aware of the risks.

“Asbestos was contained in many of the materials used in stage design and theatre production, from the stage curtain to props and in the fabric of the buildings. It was not until many years later that I discovered the dangers.

“Pleural thickening has affected my breathing and I notice it most when I am walking or playing golf. I know I could go on to develop a more serious disease but I try not to think about it.”

Everyone who worked with asbestos is at risk of developing a disease

Andy Egan from BECTU said: “Asbestos related diseases are not something you would usually associate with people who work in the arts but this case shows that everyone who worked with asbestos is at risk of developing a disease.

“We are pleased that union support has helped our member pursue a successful claim for compensation.”

Petra Williams from Thompsons Solicitors said: “Pleural thickening can be a debilitating condition and it is only right that Mr Morris is compensated. He was exposed to asbestos 50 years ago doing the job he loved. He should have been safeguarded against the dangers by his employer.”

Compensation Claim Advice

If you or someone you know has developed an asbestos related disease, telephone us now for accurate compensation claim advice.

There are strict time limits in place to make any injury claim. For further information, contact us or visit our Questions Answered page.

Thompsons Solicitors are experts in all personal injury matters. We will be able to advise you whether or not you have a valid claim for compensation. Our specialist personal injury lawyers will be happy to talk you through the process of making a claim in plain English and will be happy to answer any questions or queries you may have. If you do have a valid personal injury compensation claim and you decide to instruct Thompsons Solicitors to deal with the matter for you, we will recover our legal fees from the person responsible for your injury, ensuring that the entire procedure is cost-free for you. Telephone us now on 08000 224 224 or complete one of our online personal injury compensation claim forms.