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

16th March 2009

Five figure compensation for lagger’s asbestos disease

Diagnosed with Pleural Plaques and Pleural Thickening

Michael Avery, 66, from Higher Walton in Preston was diagnosed with disabling asbestos related disease pleural thickening in 2006.

His diagnosis came just a few months after being told he had pleural plaques, a scarring of the lungs caused by asbestos.

Pleural thickening left Michael short of breath and unable to carry out every day tasks like gardening.

Exposed to asbestos at work

He was exposed to asbestos while working as an apprentice lagger for Northern Insulation (Stockton) Ltd between 1958 and 1959.

Mr Avery said: “My job was to mix asbestos cement on the floor with a shovel. It was very dusty work. As I mixed the dry asbestos I would inhale the dust. I used to wear a scarf over my mouth to keep the dust out, but it was useless. I would spend most of the day covered in white dust from head to toe. It was like being in a bag of flour.”

Mr Avery was never given any protection and was not warned by his employers about the dangers of working with asbestos.

The condition means he must rely on his three children to carry out housework and DIY around his home.

Pleural thickening can be a severe and debilitating disease

Following his diagnosis he contacted Thompsons Solicitors to claim compensation.

He said: “Claiming compensation was very important. I continued working right up to my retirement despite being breathless but it restricted how many shifts I could work. Since my retirement my condition has worsened. It was important to me to make sure my former employers were held responsible for my ill health.”

Thompsons was successful in achieving a settlement from Northern Insulation on the day the case was due to go to trial. Northern Insulation admitted liability for exposing Mr Avery to asbestos.

Steven Dickens of Thompsons Solicitors added: “Pleural thickening can be a severe and debilitating disease. We have helped many workers who have been harmed by asbestos to claim compensation. This not only helps them financially but it also enables them to know that the employer who damaged their health was made to accept legal responsibility.”

Compensation Claim Advice

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

There are strict time limits in place to make any personal 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.