Compensation for family after man died of mesothelioma

Posted 16/02/2012

The family of a man who died as a result of an asbestos-related illness have been paid compensation.Ted Hall, originally from Sunderland, died at the age of 80 due to mesothelioma, reports the Herald Express.His family has now been given enough compensation as a result of his death to be able to repay Torquay’s Rowcroft Hospice, where he was cared for in his last days.Patricia Hall, his wife, explained the family was never given any warnings about being exposed to asbestos as a 15-year-old apprentice and joiner in the north-east of England.”Ted was exposed to asbestos when he was just a teenager and … mesothelioma took his life. It was important to the family to make sure someone took responsibility for his painful death,” she said.According to statistics from the Health and Safety Executive, mesothelioma resulted in 2,321 people dying in 2009, which was up from 153 in 1968.Simon Davis, a personal injury specialist who represents many asbestos-related disease claimants, adds: “It is sad to hear again that no warnings were given of the dangers of working with asbestos. HM Inspector of Factories first wrote of this in his 1904 report. It is of no comfort to those who contract mesothelioma and their families but it does mean that substantial compensation is payable if the employer or their insurer can be traced.”