Mesothelioma Compensation Claim

Pipe Fitter and Plumber exposed to asbestos

A former shipyard worker who was exposed to asbestos was awarded more than £150,000 in compensation with help from Thompsons Solicitors.

Charles Cochran, 67, was awarded the compensation after he was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lung. There is no cure for the disease and sufferers often have just months to live following diagnosis. Charles’ case was settled within four months by Thompsons.

He began his working life as an 16-year-old apprentice at Walker Naval Yard where he was exposed to asbestos used by shipyard contractors. He was never warned it was dangerous and remembers workmates playing football with it during their lunch break.

Charles, who is married to Beryl and has four stepchildren, three children, and 15 grandchildren, was diagnosed with mesothelioma in June 2007 after going to his doctor complaining of flu-like symptoms. He said: “This compensation is not going to bring my health back. But it will make sure my wife will be looked after. It’s a big relief for me to know that.”

Andrew Venn, from Thompsons Solicitors, said: “Mesothelioma is a devastating disease for all involved. It is important that asbestos victims and their family members obtain proper compensation quickly from the insurers of the companies who caused the disease.

Workers most at risk from developing Mesothelioma

Professions where asbestos was commonplace

At Thompsons Solicitors, we have helped many victims of asbestos to make mesothelioma claims. Due to the fact that we have dealt with so many of these mesothelioma claims we have seen a pattern develop showing the workers most at risk from developing mesothelioma and some of these are listed below.

Boilermakers and Laggers - It was commonplace for boilers to be insulated with asbestos lagging. Boilermakers also work alongside the contractors (laggers) who install and renew asbestos boiler insulation. This type of work has put boilermakers and laggers at a particularly high risk of developing mesothelioma.

Electricians - are at risk of developing mesothelioma because they also worked alongside laggers. Electricians also often have to cut or drill through asbestos insulation to install cable trays, instruments, switches and wiring systems.

Joiners and Carpenters and Builders - are also at risk of developing mesothelioma as a result of sawing, drilling and fixing or replacing asbestos cement board often used in partition walls, suspended ceilings, flooring, roof tiles and thermal insulation.

Motor Mechanics - may have been exposed to asbestos as it was frequently used in brake pads and clutches. This has put some Motor Mechanics at risk of developing mesothelioma.

Pipe Fitters and Plumbers - install, maintain and repair pipes, boilers and heating systems. The nature of their work means that they have to cut or drill through walls as well as cutting and assembling sections of pipe, removing and replacing damaged sections of pipe, valve and flanges etc. All of these tasks put them at risk of developing mesothelioma as pipes frequently used to be covered with asbestos lagging. As the pipes were cut, fibres from the asbestos lagging were released into the air and inhaled by the pipefitter or plumber.

Victims of mesothelioma are certainly not limited to the professions mentioned above. Our specialist mesothelioma solicitors have helped victims of this asbestos related disease with their mesothelioma claims who have worked in many other professions including fire fighters, teachers, police officers, managers and a professor.

Veterans with Mesothelioma or Lung Cancer

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or lung cancer their is a great possibility that you were exposed to asbestos while in the military. Experts tell us that there is no way to separate out the damage that each exposure to asbestos does in creating deadly cancers such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. Therefore, it is always true that each exposure, however small, contributed to the cancer. Unfortunately, mesothelioma does not discriminate based on gender, race or sex. Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma and lung cancer come from all branches of the military. Ages of mesothelioma victims vary greatly as well. In fact, Veterans Assistance Network often handles mesothelioma cases for veterans from as far back as World War II.

Because of the very long latency period from the time of asbestos exposure to the time of the asbestos cancer, many veterans do not seek the VA benefits that they are entitled to. However, just like a soldier injured in war, mesothelioma and lung cancer victims are entitled to maximum benefits. At Veterans Assistance Network we handle all types of disability claims, however we have taken as special interest in mesothelioma claims due to the extreme injury involved. We feel that these brave veterans have been denied benefits for far to long and we are here to even the playing field.

Our friendly and skilled volunteers (comprised completely of veterans) have dedicated their time to ensuring that each asbestos exposed veteran is given a fair shake in obtaining their well deserved VA benefits. Our service is 100% free. Our reward is knowing that veterans and their families will get much need benefits during their time of need. If you or a loved one has developed mesothelioma or lung cancer as a result of asbestos exposure call us today. We are standing by to help you in all your VA needs.