Boyes Turner's mesothelioma and asbestos claims solicitors were instructed by Stewart to investigate a claim for compensation after he was diagnosed with asbestos related diffuse pleural thickening. Asbestos exposureStewart had been employed for the vast majority of his career at the steel works on Normanby Road in Scunthorpe. He was initially employed by John Lysides and then by British Steel which was then sold to Tata Steel UK Limited. Stewart worked there between 1962 and 1981. He worked in a number of different roles, starting as a production line assistant painting casts, then as a Burner and then finally as a soaker. Stewart described that he worked with asbestos gloves which would rub and fibres would come off in his arm hair. Stewart described asbestos lagging was used to insulate the miles of pipework in the steel works. The lagging became damaged due to wear and tear and also following collision from forklift trucks. Stewart worked in close proximity to laggers removing asbestos lagging and mixing and applying new asbestos lagging to the significant volume of pipework in the steel works.Pleural thickening diagnosisStewart’s claim was complicated by the fact that he had been informed he had pleural thickening in 2007. However, Stewart was not informed that this thickening was affecting his breathing, nor that it was asbestos related. Stewart was first informed that he had asbestos related diffuse pleural thickening and pleural plaques in March 2015. Stewart has a 15% disability attributable to his asbestos related diffuse pleural thickening. He experiences breathlessness when walking up hill and is unable to play golf or swim like he used to. Stewart also suffers with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)/Asthma. This is also causing him a respiratory disability and a reduction in his life expectancy. Stewart chose to settle his claim on a full and final damages basis as a result of his, non-asbestos related condition. The team were pleased to agree a settlement in Stewart’s case of £35,000 for his asbestos related diffuse pleural thickening.If you or a family member has been diagnosed with pleural thickening or any other asbestos related disease, we may be able to help. Contact us by email IDClaims@boyesturner.com for a free initial discussion.