Mesothelioma victim awarded compensation

By the time that many people learn that they have developed a devastating illness related to asbestos exposure, they may be retired and workplace illnesses are the last things on their minds. Many victims are also parents and grandparents when they are diagnosed with a disease such as mesothelioma, which means that many people are affected by the tragic news.

Asbestos-related illnesses can take decades to start showing symptoms. It could be 40 years after a person has worked with the toxic fiber when they find out that they may die from the exposure. Many victims are understandably concerned with how this type of diagnosis will affect their loved ones. Suddenly, there are huge medical bills, lost wages and funeral expenses to consider. Instead of relying on family members to deal with these costs, many victims choose to file a lawsuit against a former employer in order to pursue compensation.

One man recently did just that when he filed a lawsuit against an auto manufacturing plant. According to reports, the 66-year-old man had worked at the plant in 1964 where he was exposed to asbestos. Nearly 50 years later, he was diagnosed with mesothelioma, which is a devastating cancer caused by asbestos.

The man has five kids of his own and 11 grandchildren. He says that his quality of life has suffered significantly since the diagnosis and he is very fatigued all the time. In his lawsuit, the man says that the mesothelioma has forever disrupted his life and has affected his ability to participate in the lives of his family members.

As is often the case, the company denied responsibility for negligently exposing workers to the asbestos. However, the two sides were able to reach an out-of-court settlement. Depending on the amount of compensation that the man received, his family will hopefully be able to cope with the financial aspects of the devastating disease.

Source: Chronicle Live, “Gateshead factory worker in asbestos cash pay-out,” May 7, 2013