The inquest into the death of Harry Sutcliffe (82) of Halifax concluded on 11, September 2008. The Coroner recorded a verdict of Industrial Disease. Harry had been diagnosed with mesothelioma in August 2003. Mesothelioma is a form of cancer nearly always caused by asbestos. He had worked for James H Heal & Co at Richmond Works, Boothtown from 1964 to 1976. The company made textile testing equipment. He worked as a lathe turner and progressed to a machine shop chargehand. He was exposed to asbestos in this employment. The company constructed fan ovens for the textile industry. The lids of the ovens contained asbestos insulation sandwiched between sheet metal. Soft asbestos sheets were cut using a guillotine and this produced dust. There were also various pipes in the mill that were lagged with asbestos. Harry was present when the asbestos was mixed so that this lagging could be renewed.
Harry contacted John Pickering & Partners in August 2003. He had been told that he had a terminal illness and that he did not have so much time left to live. Despite this He remained optimistic. The medical evidence suggested that he may expect to live for no more than 2 years. However, he did in fact live until February 2008, when he passed away at Overgate Hospice in Elland. The case was settled on 6 May 2004 for a substantial sum and he received Government Benefits in addition. He also received a further payment from the John Manville Trust of £2290.45. John Manville is a former manufacturer of asbestos. In 1982 they filed for bankruptcy and as a result of this, the Manville Personal Injury Trust was established. The aim was to compensate people injured by asbestos products, which they manufactured and/or supplied without warning the public of the danger of these products.
Mr Sutcliffe stated shortly after the settlement ‘Thank you sincerely for all the effort you have put in on my behalf, my wife and I are deeply grateful for all that has been achieved’
His son said: "The successful claims certainly helped in the latter stages of his illness, not neccessarily the financial benefit but that he felt someone had been held accountable for what had happened"
This case was covered by the Halifax Courier on 12 September. Please see http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/Poisoned-by-asbestos.4487747.jp
About John Pickering and Partners LLP- Specialist mesothelioma compensation solicitors.
John Pickering and Partners LLP is a niche legal practice that has represented Claimants in the leading asbestos "test cases" in the last ten years. The firm represented Sylvia Barker in Barker v Corus (UK) Plc, a case that highlighted the legal tactics of employers and insurers trying to cut back their compensation liabilities to mesothelioma sufferers, and which prompted the amendment of the Compensation Act 2006 to ensure full compensation for mesothelioma claims. The firm represented two of the three Claimants in the Fairchild appeal, in which the insurance industry tried unsuccessfully to block compensation altogether for mesothelioma sufferers unable to identify which of two or more sources of asbestos exposure had caused their illness.
The firm represented Alice Jefferson, a mesothelioma sufferer, whose illness and compensation claim against Cape Asbestos were featured in the important documentary "Alice: A Fight For Life." Shown by Yorkshire Television in July 1982, the programme was an important catalyst for legal change and public awareness of the plight of the victims of asbestos.
If you need advice about an asbestos related illness, contact us now for information about making a claim for compensation
Ruth Davies - Partner
John Pickering and Partners LLP
20 Clare Road
HALIFAX
HX1 2HX
Tel : 01422 345535
Fax: 01422 438500
Email@ rd@johnpickering.co.uk |