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A retired nurse who had been exposed to asbestos decades earlier when employed in a brickworks has received compensation with help from Thompsons Solicitors.
John Owen, 65, from Pudsey, Leeds, is suffering from mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lungs. There is no cure for the disease.
Mr Owen, a retired nurse , was exposed to asbestos working as a labourer for the Accrington Brick and Tile Company Ltd in Accrington from 1965 to 1969 and for copper company Bolton Metal Groups Ltd.
He started work at the Nori Brickworks on Whalley Road, Accrington and then later for the Enfield Brickworks on Jubilee St, Accrington when he was 22-years-old.
Asbestos was used as insulation
During his time at the brickworks asbestos was used as insulation. He was exposed to the dust on a daily basis but was never given any protection.
In later years Mr Owen retrained as a nurse, a role he continued in until his retirement.
He was diagnosed with the disease in March 2010 after suffering from breathlessness when walking his dog.
Following his diagnosis he contacted asbestos claims specialists Thompsons Solicitors for advice about compensation.
Thompsons Solicitors made claim for compensation
Thompsons undertook extensive investigations and settled the claim out of court against Accrington Brick and Tile Company for substantial damages.
Mr Owen said: “It’s a great relief to know that my case was successful and that my wife will be provided for financially in the future. I have always been fit and healthy so my diagnosis was a terrible shock. I knew I had worked with asbestos during my time as a labourer but never believed it would lead to this. I was never warned about the dangers by my employer.
“Fortunately I feel well at the moment. I’m taking each day as it comes but the future is uncertain.”
Marion Voss from Thompsons Solicitors added: “Mr Owen is sadly one of many victims of asbestos because his employer failed to protect him from the dangers.
“By acting quickly it was possible to settle this compensation claim for mesothelioma during my client’s lifetime so that he and his family know that at least the financial future is secure.”