Mr B approached us in September 2010.  He had worked for a large portion of his working life in the ship yards in the north east.  He had been suffering from increasing breathlessness and was finding that activities which he had carried out previously without any problem were causing him significant difficulties. His chest specialist recommended to him that he make contact with us in relation to a possible claim for compensation, following a diagnosis of asbestosis and pleural thickening.

When he first contacted us, we suggested to him that he make contact with the Department of Work & Pensions to see if he was eligible for benefits.  He was subsequently assessed by them as being 30% disabled as a result of his condition and was awarded industrial injuries disability benefit, which was back dated for twelve months to the original date of diagnosis.

We started the claim process immediately by sending a Letter of Claim to his former employers at the ship yards.  They confirmed that they would not challenge our arguments and, subject to sight of medical evidence confirming that he had asbestos-related problems, they agreed to pay compensation.

We met Mr B and took a full witness statement from him setting out all relevant information in relation to his particular circumstances.  We obtained his medical records and instructed a medical expert to prepare a report for us setting out full details of his condition and the effects of this.

The report was disclosed to the Defendants together with details of his financial losses.  He was heavily dependent upon family and friends to carry out a lot of tasks for him such as shopping, cutting the lawn and household maintenance.  The financial claim included amounts to cover the notional cost of paying for this assistance.

We eventually received an offer from the Defendants to settle Mr B's claim in the sum of £87,500 and he received a cheque for this amount in April 2011.