Family Claim for Mother’s Asbestos Exposure
Posted: 15th March 2016
Posted in: Asbestos Exposure Mesothelioma 
Mesothelioma rates are increasing year on year, and a recent case has demonstrated the wide-reaching harm that asbestos can cause.
Paula Briggs died in April 2014 at the age of 79. She was diagnosed with mesothelioma after complaining of shortness of breath.
This condition is commonly contracted by men who worked in industries such as construction, building, demolition, electronics and motor mechanics and were exposed to a great deal of asbestos. When asbestos is disturbed, the fibres fill the air and can be breathed into the lungs. The fibres can cause an inflammation of the lining of the lung which can lead to the development of mesothelioma many years later. Sadly, this is a highly aggressive and incurable form of cancer.
Unlike many mesothelioma sufferers, Mrs Briggs did not come into direct contact with asbestos herself. Tragically, she was exposed to the dangerous substance when her husband returned home from work every night. Mr Briggs worked in a factory in Cleckheaton and would carry the asbestos dust home on his work clothes, hair and skin.
Mrs Briggs family are now seeking damages from their father’s former employer and claim that the employer was or should have been aware of the risk that they were putting employees and their employees’ families at.
Paul Cowan, the family’s lawyer, has said, “The deceased would sort the clothing from the laundry basket, shaking off the dust from the work clothing and, in particular, removing the dust which had gathered in the trouser turn-ups and in the various pockets. . . She would have to sweep up the dust off the kitchen floor, porch and pantry which had been shed from her husband’s footwear, clothing and person.”
This case has demonstrated that asbestos harm extends far further than the workers who came into direct contact with it.
Making a Claim for an Asbestos-Related Disease
Sadly, there are many diseases connected to exposure to asbestos. These conditions include pleural plaques, asbestosis and pleural thickening. Asbestos exposure can also contribute to the development of lung cancer. If a patient is already suffering from an asbestos-related condition, it may be possible to connect the lung cancer to asbestos.
Employers have a duty to make sure that employees, and the people they come into contact with, are protected from the harms of asbestos. If the company has behaved negligently, they may be liable for the damage caused.
Unfortunately, as in the case of Mrs Briggs, many people suffering from asbestos-related diseases die before they can make a claim against those responsible.
It is possible for the spouse or children of the deceased to make a claim on their behalf. Contact our trusted personal injury team today to find out how we can help.
Asbestos Personal Injury Lawyer
An asbestos-related disease can be devastating for a family. If you have lost a loved one to such a condition, contact us to claim compensation for your loss.
« 20% of England’s radiotherapy machines past scrappage date
What is Mesothelioma and can you claim compensation for getting it? »