 Family of Windsor Woman Awarded Damages After Asbestos Death
 Brigitte Chandler The family of a Windsor woman, who died as a result of her coming into contact with asbestos when she worked as a machine operator in Slough, have been awarded substantial damages.
June Harry, who lived in Carter Close, Windsor worked for Cooper Mechanical Joints between 1950 –1953. The company made gaskets for cars and Mrs Harry was one of a number of operators working in the assembly area who had to cut strips of asbestos and press them into shape.
Although the Company is no longer in operation the family's solicitor, Brigitte Chandler of law firm Charles Lucas & Marshall and a specialist in asbestos claims, was able to establish sufficient evidence to make a claim on behalf of Mrs Harry's family.
"Many people believe that if a company is no longer in existence they cannot bring a claim but that is not correct" she says. "Companies have employer liability insurance to cover these claims and an experienced industrial disease lawyer will know where to look for them.
"Asbestos was widely used in this company - there were between 800 - 900 employees working there. It is quite possible other members of the workforce may have or develop asbestos related problems in the future and it is well worthwhile pursuing a claim."
"It is a very specialised area and anyone who believes they may have a disease linked to asbestos exposure at work should consult an experienced industrial disease lawyer."
Cooper Mechanical Joints were represented by T & N Asbestos Trustee Company which agreed to pay out £39,380 in damages. The family also received compensation from the John Manville Trust fund in the USA.
Mrs Harry developed a cough in November 2005 and was given a chest x-ray. This revealed pleural fluid and a further CT scan showed she was suffering from mesothelioma, a cancer of the lung caused by asbestos exposure. She died in May 2006.
"Mrs Harry was not provided with any masks, wore ordinary overalls and had no special washing facilities," says Brigitte Chandler. There were no warnings given to her about the dangers."
Brigitte Chandler is one of the founding members of the regional charity, the Swindon & South West Asbestos Group, set up to help asbestos sufferers and their families. The charity will send out booklets, DSS forms and information about the Trust, free of charge. They also have support groups for asbestos sufferers and their families. For further information contact 01793 496395 or write to PO Box 2729 Swindon, SN1 4ZW.
For more information contact Brigitte Chandler on 01793 511055 or brigitte.chandler@clmlaw.co.uk
Brigitte Chandler (contact details):
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