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John* was a retired carpenter and joiner in his late 80s when he started to experience increasing breathlessness and pain on his right side and back. After playing down his symptoms and putting it down to old age for about 12 months, the breathlessness and pain became severe.

Following hospital scans and tests, John and his wife Mary were told that he had fluid on his lungs and the doctors had found asbestos in his right lung. It was a shock for the couple, who had been relatively fit and well while enjoying their retirement. They had two adult children, but the family did not live nearby.

When John and Mary got in touch with us, John’s breathlessness was getting worse. He had difficulty moving between rooms and suffered from severe fatigue. They were both also finding it difficult to cope mentally. John had always been very independent and active but could no longer help Mary, even with simple everyday tasks and chores. They found this frustrating. John felt very low, depressed and experienced sleepless nights. He was worried about his care and Mary’s future.

After receiving a call from the couple, we were able to start investigating a compensation claim for past asbestos exposure. We took as much information as possible during the first call with them and referred the case to specialist asbestos lawyers, Alderstone Solicitors. They organised a visit to John and Mary to take a witness statement. Our team was also able to advise on government benefits that the couple were entitled to and we helped them apply for these.

The former carpenter and joiner was exposed to asbestos while working for a company that no longer existed and had been uninsured. The heritage building where John worked 50 years ago contained the asbestos he had been exposed to, but it was under renovation and had a complicated history of ownership. This meant no one would accept responsibility for his exposure.

Unfortunately, John died from an asbestos-related disease before his compensation claim was settled. However, our team continued to work tirelessly with the couple’s solicitor to secure justice and compensation for Mary as his widow. Through determined investigation, a copy of a lease from the 1940s was obtained, which proved that the building John worked in has been under the control of the Ministry of Works. As the building occupiers, the government finally accepted and settled John and Mary’s claim for damages.

*names have been changed

Secondary Exposure

Secondary exposure to asbestos goes beyond direct contact in the workplace. It affects the families and loved ones of people working in industries with high asbestos exposure.

Family members living with workers exposed to asbestos inhaled fibres brought home on work clothes. Hugging or close contact with exposed individuals could transfer fibres, exposing family members and loved ones.

Family members handling the clothing of workers from asbestos environments, such as laundering contaminated work clothes, caused secondary exposure. This is sometimes referred to as ‘shakedown exposure’. It posed a significant risk as fibres were released into the air during washing.