At Oliver & Co Solicitors, we recently secured £75,000 in compensation for a former shipyard worker who developed asbestos-related diffuse pleural thickening after years of occupational asbestos exposure.
The claim was settled on a provisional damages basis, giving our client the reassurance that if his condition worsens or he develops another asbestos-related disease in the future, he may be able to return to court and seek further compensation.
Asbestos Exposure in the Shipbuilding Industry
For many years, asbestos was widely used in shipbuilding because of its heat-resistant properties.
Our client worked as a joiner in several shipyards during the 1960s and 1970s, where he was regularly exposed to asbestos dust while carrying out his day-to-day duties.
His work involved removing old asbestos insulation, fitting asbestos sheeting inside ships and working alongside other trades who were stripping asbestos lagging from pipework. These activities created large amounts of airborne asbestos dust in confined areas, often without any respiratory protection or warnings about the dangers of asbestos.
Like many workers of that era, he had no reason to believe the dust he was breathing every day could lead to serious illness decades later.
Diagnosed with Diffuse Pleural Thickening
Many years after leaving the shipbuilding industry, our client began experiencing increasing breathlessness and reduced exercise tolerance.
Medical investigations confirmed that he had developed diffuse pleural thickening, an asbestos-related condition that causes scarring and thickening of the lining of the lungs.
The condition had significantly affected his lung function and limited his mobility, leaving him unable to walk more than short distances without becoming breathless.
How We Helped
Our specialist asbestos disease solicitors investigated our client’s employment history and obtained detailed witness evidence describing the conditions in which he had worked.
We also instructed independent medical experts, including a consultant respiratory physician and an expert radiologist, who confirmed that his pleural thickening had been caused by occupational asbestos exposure.
The medical evidence also confirmed that, because of his asbestos exposure, our client remained at increased risk of developing other serious asbestos-related illnesses in the future.
Why Provisional Damages Were Important
One of the most important aspects of this case was securing compensation on a provisional damages basis.
Unlike a standard settlement, provisional damages allow a claimant to return and seek additional compensation if they later develop a more serious asbestos-related disease, such as:
- Mesothelioma
- Asbestos-related lung cancer
- Asbestosis
This approach gave our client financial security now, while protecting his right to pursue further compensation should his health deteriorate in the future.
The Outcome
Following negotiations, we secured £75,000 in compensation on behalf of our client.
The settlement recognised the significant impact diffuse pleural thickening had already had on his health and quality of life, while also protecting his future should further asbestos-related disease develop.
Diagnosed with Pleural Thickening After Asbestos Exposure?
If you have been diagnosed with pleural thickening, asbestosis, mesothelioma or another asbestos-related condition after working in shipbuilding, construction, engineering or another high-risk industry, you may be entitled to claim compensation.
At Oliver & Co Solicitors, our experienced asbestos disease solicitors understand the challenges faced by people living with asbestos-related illnesses. We will investigate your employment history, obtain specialist medical evidence and guide you through the claims process with sensitivity and practical advice.
To speak to one of our specialist asbestos disease solicitors, contact Oliver & Co Solicitors today on 01244 312306 or email law@oliverandco.co.uk for a free, confidential discussion about your circumstances.
