A plumber and pipe fitter who was exposed to asbestos at work from an early age has won over £150,000 in compensation after he developed mesothelioma, a deadly cancer affecting the lining of the lungs.
Charles Cochran, 67, started his career at age 16, working in a naval shipyard. There he was exposed to asbestos while lagging steam pipes. The laggers wore their own clothes to work, which meant that they were covered in asbestos dust by the time they went home.
During Mr Cochran's time at the shipyard he was neither offered a face mask nor informed about the dangers of asbestos exposure.
In 1968 Mr Cochran began working in a chemical plant where he was also exposed to asbestos. It wasn't until he had been working there for some time that the company warned employees about the carcinogenic properties of the material.
Mr Cochran was diagnosed with mesothelioma in June 2007 after complaining to his doctor of flu-like symptoms. A few months after his diagnosis he is often so short of breath that climbing the stairs or taking his dog for a walk is too difficult for him.
Charles Cochran, 67, started his career at age 16, working in a naval shipyard. There he was exposed to asbestos while lagging steam pipes. The laggers wore their own clothes to work, which meant that they were covered in asbestos dust by the time they went home.
During Mr Cochran's time at the shipyard he was neither offered a face mask nor informed about the dangers of asbestos exposure.
In 1968 Mr Cochran began working in a chemical plant where he was also exposed to asbestos. It wasn't until he had been working there for some time that the company warned employees about the carcinogenic properties of the material.
Mr Cochran was diagnosed with mesothelioma in June 2007 after complaining to his doctor of flu-like symptoms. A few months after his diagnosis he is often so short of breath that climbing the stairs or taking his dog for a walk is too difficult for him.
