Asbestos Compensation for Dock Worker

A former dock worker who is dying of the asbestos-related disease mesothelioma has been awarded substantial compensation after a three day trial in the High Court.

Ian Waite, 62, worked for the Tees and Hartlepool Port Authority, between 1972 and the late 1980s, unloading timber. During this time, he was exposed to asbestos in the ships’ holds because the pipe work was covered with asbestos lagging. Unloading the timber disturbed the asbestos, causing the fibres to become airborne.

Mr Waite has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, a deadly cancer of the lining of the lungs caused by exposure to asbestos. He has undergone a course of chemotherapy treatment but there is no known cure for the disease and victims usually only have a short time to live.

Whilst claims have successfully been brought by dock workers who unloaded consignments of asbestos without being given adequate protection, Mr Waite’s case was unusual because he didn’t handle the dangerous substance directly.

Evidence was presented to the Court that asbestos was present on the pipe work of the ships, a contention that was denied by the defendants. However, the Court judged that Mr Waite had been negligently exposed to asbestos and he was awarded a substantial sum in compensation.

Asbestos-related illnesses are among the most common industrial diseases in the UK. Many mesothelioma sufferers develop the disease years after their initial exposure to asbestos, which can make it difficult to make a claim for compensation against their former employer.