A woman who developed mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos fibres when handling her husband’s clothes has been awarded £130,000 in compensation.
Jacky Merritt’s husband, Don, worked as a lagger for a large asbestos company. Mrs Merritt used to wash her husband’s clothes and this exposed her to the asbestos dust that had settled on them.
Mr Merritt brought the case against his former employer on the ground that they should not have allowed him to take his clothes home. He was unaware of the dangers posed to his wife by exposure to asbestos.
The company denied liability, claiming that at the time Mrs Merritt was exposed they were not aware that such small amounts of asbestos could be dangerous. Documents were uncovered, however, that showed that the company did have sufficient knowledge of the potentially fatal effects of asbestos fibres in causing mesothelioma, an incurable cancer that usually affects the lining of the lungs. Most victims die within a year of diagnosis.
Thousands of people in the UK are affected by asbestos-related diseases each year – most often factory workers and labourers. Many have been exposed to asbestos through negligence on the part of their employers and therefore have the right to claim compensation for the personal injuries sustained.
Employers have a duty to provide protective clothing and equipment and to train those who work in dangerous conditions on how to do so safely. If you are injured as a result of your employer’s failure to comply with health and safety law, you could be entitled to compensation.
Jacky Merritt’s husband, Don, worked as a lagger for a large asbestos company. Mrs Merritt used to wash her husband’s clothes and this exposed her to the asbestos dust that had settled on them.
Mr Merritt brought the case against his former employer on the ground that they should not have allowed him to take his clothes home. He was unaware of the dangers posed to his wife by exposure to asbestos.
The company denied liability, claiming that at the time Mrs Merritt was exposed they were not aware that such small amounts of asbestos could be dangerous. Documents were uncovered, however, that showed that the company did have sufficient knowledge of the potentially fatal effects of asbestos fibres in causing mesothelioma, an incurable cancer that usually affects the lining of the lungs. Most victims die within a year of diagnosis.
Thousands of people in the UK are affected by asbestos-related diseases each year – most often factory workers and labourers. Many have been exposed to asbestos through negligence on the part of their employers and therefore have the right to claim compensation for the personal injuries sustained.
Employers have a duty to provide protective clothing and equipment and to train those who work in dangerous conditions on how to do so safely. If you are injured as a result of your employer’s failure to comply with health and safety law, you could be entitled to compensation.
Contact us if you would like advice regarding a personal injury claim.
