Bishop Auckland Man Wins Mesothelioma Compensation Settlement
18/02/2011
A County Durham man who saw his life devastated by a deadly asbestos related cancer has won his battle for justice.
Cyril James Faulkner, 86, of Woodland, Bishop Auckland, was diagnosed with mesothelioma in October 2008, a condition that he developed after more than 10 years of exposure to asbestos.
Mesothelioma is a fatal form of cancer of the lung lining (the pleura) which develops following the inhalation of asbestos dust. It can take between 10 and 60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos and, unlike other forms of asbestos related disease, can be developed through relatively minimal contact with asbestos dust or fibres. Victims suffer a painful death, on average dying within a year or so of diagnosis.
Mr Faulkner, who worked as a plumber for Hawkins and Holmes Limited, regularly came into contact with asbestos lagging as he maintained and repaired boilers and flue pipes. He was never issued with safety equipment which would have protected him from inhaling the lethal asbestos dust.
But with the help of asbestos illness solicitors from Irwin Mitchell, Mr Faulkner has succeeded in his fight for justice and secured a compensation settlement.
Isobel Lovett, an associate solicitor and industrial disease specialist at Irwin Mitchell who worked with Mr Faulkner to help secure his settlement, said: “For over 10 years Mr Faulkner was exposed to this potentially lethal substance and was never issued the protective equipment which would have prevented his development of such a painful and aggressive disease.
“During the time that he worked at Hawkins and Holmes his employers would have been aware of the dangers that asbestos posed but yet the company still did nothing to help him. Although nothing can change what has happened to Mr Faulkner this legal victory will now allow him to live in as much comfort as possible, considering his painful condition.”
Mr Faulkner added: “I was devastated when I found out that I had developed Mesothelioma. For years I loyally worked for this company and all along they would have known and understood that I was working with such a dangerous material but yet did nothing to stop me from inhaling the asbestos dust.
“I’m relieved that Hawkins and Holmes have now been brought to justice for the blatant disregard which they have shown to me, and my colleagues who also would have been exposed to asbestos.”
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