Family wins pay out after asbestos death

A Swindon family has been awarded £96,000 from British Rail following the death of a former employee who worked for the company for 40 years.

88-year-old Valentine Thomas died in 2011, having contracted mesothelioma, a type of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos, and which was only discovered after his death.

On a number of occasions Valentine was responsible for the fitting of carriages – one of the jobs putting employees at most risk of asbestos exposure.

He worked on the railways performing a number of roles from 1947 until his retirement in 1986. As well as the mesothelioma, Valentine also suffered from deafness, thought too to date from his time in the rail works.

Towards the end of his life Mr Thomas needed to be nursed by his children, and earlier this month they were given £96,000 compensation to cover the costs they accrued.

Valentine's family are just the latest to win compensation in industrial disease cases linked to the railways. Mesothelioma is so prevalent in this area of the country it has earned the nickname the Swindon Disease.

If you have been affected by industrial disease you might be entitled to compensation. Speak to our team on 0845 603 0708 or complete the online form to the right and we will get back to you at the first opportunity.

Hyde Industrial Disease Solicitors