Landmark asbestos ruling sees compensation paid to hospice
17 Aug 2010
A landmark ruling following the death of a man from mesothelioma
has resulted in a hospice being paid compensation.
James Willson was diagnosed with the asbestos-related cancer in
2006 and died in March 2007, spending his last days at St Joseph's
Hospice in Hackney.
He had worked at Deptford Power Station from the age of 20 and was
regularly exposed to the deadly building material there, although
he was never given protective equipment or told of the
dangers.
When Mr Willson's family lodged a compensation claim against Foster
Wheeler Limited, the judge presiding over the case also ruled that
the hospice should be paid GBP 10,000 to cover the cost of the care
it provided for the victim.
HH Judge Anthony Thornton QC at the Royal Courts of Justice found
that Foster Wheeler had been negligent in its treatment of its
former employee.
"This landmark decision will be welcomed by the family of Mr
Willson and other victims of asbestos-related diseases, who rely on
palliative care to relieve their suffering," said his legal
representative.
Earlier this month, 18-year-old Sophie Ellis from Suffolk became
the youngest Briton to die of mesothelioma after contracting the
disease aged 13.
However, nobody is sure how the teenager was exposed to particles
which could have caused the condition, so her family will not be
able to make a claim for compensation.
People who are exposed to
asbestos at work or in a publicly-owned
building such as a school may be able to claim compensation and
should seek the advice of a specialist lawyer to help them deal
with the case.
