Two further cases concerning exposure to asbestos in the workplace have resulted in a former lift engineer and the widow of an electrician being awarded substantial six-figure sums in compensation.

The first case concerned a lift engineer who was exposed to asbestos whilst working for a lift company between 1962 and 1968. Whilst installing lifts in various buildings he worked alongside other tradesmen who were working with asbestos-based materials.

He was diagnosed with mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer of the lining of the lungs, and was given between 7 and 14 months to live. Like many mesothelioma victims he had no idea that he had been exposed to a substance that could do damage to his health or that the symptoms of the disease could take so long to emerge.

The man was awarded £140,000 in compensation.

The second case concerned a former electrician who was exposed to asbestos whilst working in confined spaces with colleagues who were using asbestos-based materials to insulate heating pipes. Later in his career he was again exposed to asbestos whilst working as an electrical inspector. He was not provided with protective clothing nor warned by his employer of the risk to health associated with exposure to asbestos.

After being diagnosed with mesothelioma, he underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy but died, aged 69, just 10 months later.

The man's widow has received £172,000 in compensation.

For advice on what steps to take if conditions at your place of work have caused you to suffer illness, contact us.