At Oliver & Co Solicitors, our Industrial Disease Department is pleased to report that we have recently recovered compensation for pleural thickening on behalf of our client, Mr W, following his exposure to asbestos during his employment.
Mr W was employed as a labourer by T Partington & (Builders) Limited between approximately 1973/4 and 1979/80, working at various sites in the Oldham area. During this time, he was exposed to asbestos dust on a regular basis while carrying out his duties in unprotected and hazardous conditions.
Repeated Exposure to Asbestos Dust
One of the earliest sites Mr W recalled working at was the Majestic Mill in Oldham, where he spent approximately six months on a refurbishment project. His tasks included removing and later replacing asbestos panels to access and cover service ducts. These tasks were particularly dusty, and he regularly inhaled airborne asbestos fibres.
In addition, Mr W worked in close proximity to laggers who mixed dry asbestos fibres with water to form insulation paste. This process released large amounts of asbestos dust into the air, further increasing his exposure.
Mr W also worked on a fireproofing job at a site on Hargreaves Street, Oldham, around 1974. He and a colleague spent roughly six weeks fixing asbestos sheets around steel RSJs, cutting the sheets with a circular saw that had no dust extraction. This work created clouds of asbestos dust which he could not avoid inhaling.
Medical Evidence Confirmed Asbestos-Related Illness
Medical reports obtained from a consultant radiologist and respiratory specialist confirmed that Mr W had developed a benign asbestos-related pleural effusion and bilateral diffuse pleural thickening—conditions affecting both lungs and causing a 15% respiratory disability.
Mr W began experiencing increased breathlessness in early 2022. Further assessments showed pleural thickening had developed on the left lung in addition to the right, leading to an additional 5% respiratory disability. Medical experts indicated that the condition is likely to worsen over time and that Mr W remains at risk of developing mesothelioma.
Compensation and Future Security Secured
We successfully settled Mr W’s claim on a provisional damages basis for £55,000, ensuring he has the right to return and seek further compensation should his condition deteriorate significantly or should he develop mesothelioma in the future.
This result offers Mr W peace of mind, knowing he has legal and financial protection should his health decline due to his asbestos exposure.
We’re Here to Help
If you believe you may have been exposed to asbestos or are suffering from any asbestos-related condition such as pleural thickening, asbestosis, or mesothelioma, our specialist team is here to support you.
Call us today on 01244 312306 or visit our Contact Us page and a member of our team will get in touch.
At Oliver & Co Solicitors, we’re committed to helping individuals and families affected by industrial diseases secure the compensation and support they deserve.
