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Asbestos compensation victory for Mersey dockers
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A landmark ruling in High Court this week may mean that 1000s of former Mersey dockers could have the right to claim compensation after being exposed to asbestos.
The Judges found a government labour group negligent in not warning workers about the lethal dust.
Exposure to asbestos can result in the development of lung cancer and other asbestos diseases such as Mesothelioma, Asbestosis, Pleural Plaques and Pleural Thickening.
Two Merseyside workers pursued test cases through the courts to win their right to compensation. They were awarded £164,000 in damages.
Winifred Rice lost her husband, Edward, to the asbestos-related cancer, Mesothelioma in 2000 and 67 year old Robert Thompson is suffering form diffuse pleural thickening – a disabling condition leaving him chronically short of breath – after working in Liverpool's docks for 26 years.
Mr Thompson commented: "I have seen colleagues die due to exposure to asbestos and it's a horrible death. Touch wood, I haven't got that at the moment, but I have got the next one to it."
In May 2006 the Lord Justice May ruled that the Labour Board had a duty of care to dock workers and that to do nothing was not an option." However, the Government continued to fight the case and brought an Appeal to the High Court."
Phil Gower, Head of Asbestos Disease claim at Simpson Millar LLP commented: "This landmark ruling should help other dockers bring claims for compensation."
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article please contact us as you may be entitled to compensation for your asbestos disease/illness, call 0844 858 3700 or complete our online enquiry form and we will call you back.
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Phillip Gower
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24/12/2008
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