Widow of Asbestos Victim Gains Settlement

The widow of former scaffolder Bill Byrne, who was exposed to asbestos and died of lung cancer, has won her battle for compensation. Mr Byrne, who died in 2002 aged 71, had worked for Lyndon Scaffolding and Mills Scaffolding in the 1950s and 1960s. Mr Byrne's brother and workmate had also died of lung cancer, due to asbestos exposure, seven years before his own death. Mr Byrne, his brother and others were regularly sent by their employers to put up scaffolding around power stations where asbestos was present.

 

In order to win the case, lawyers for Mrs Byrne had to show that, on the balance of probabilities, Mr Byrne's cancer was caused by asbestos exposure. This was difficult because there are other well-known causes of lung cancer, such as smoking. Medical evidence was presented, however, which showed that Mr Byrne's chances of developing lung cancer were significantly increased by his exposure to asbestos.

 

Mrs Byrne's case was also helped by evidence provided by those who had worked alongside her husband. Former colleagues explained how at the end of a day’s work it was normal for them to be covered in asbestos dust. No protective clothing or facemasks were provided and no warnings were given about the health implications of asbestos.

 

An undisclosed five-figure sum was agreed upon.

 

.