Compensation for former Esso worker with peritoneal mesothelioma

Specialist asbestos disease solicitor Alison Sayers from our Southampton team recently secured compensation for a former Esso worker who was exposed to asbestos when working at Fawley Refinery in Hampshire.

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. It usually affects the lining of the lungs, but in rare cases, it can affect the peritoneum, which lines the abdomen. This is called peritoneal mesothelioma and it accounts for up to 10% of all mesothelioma diagnoses.

Peritoneal mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer that can cause pain and swelling in the abdomen, indigestion, weight loss and fatigue.

Mr B felt unwell at the start of August 2019 and his health quickly deteriorated. Sadly, he died later that month before the results of his biopsy were known. It was only after his death that his family were told his symptoms were caused by peritoneal mesothelioma.

Exposure to asbestos at Esso’s Fawley refinery

Mr B was exposed to asbestos during his employment with Esso at Fawley Refinery in Hampshire, where he worked from the 1970s to the 1990s. Working as a process operator in the steam plant, his job was to check on the boilers, pumps, oil levels, adjust dials and check for steam leaks.

Fawley Refinery is known for its past use of asbestos. It was used as an insulator to cover various types of plant and miles of pipework and a lot of this was in poor condition.

Asbestos fibres were released into the atmosphere when workers had to clamber over the damaged lagging to carry out their work.

Mr B was also exposed to asbestos when working close to colleagues who were removing the old lagging to repair pipe leaks.

The company did not provide Mr B with a respiratory mask, and it wasn’t until the later years of his employment that he was warned of the dangers of being exposed to asbestos. By this time, it was sadly too late.

How Novum Law’s asbestos solicitors helped

Mr B’s wife contacted Novum Law following his death in August 2019. She instructed us to investigate a claim against Esso.

His family knew that he had only been exposed to asbestos with one employer. They were able to contact a former colleague of Mr B’s who could provide evidence to assist the claim.

Novum Law settled the claim against Esso Petroleum Company Limited and recovered damages for his widow.

Specialist asbestos disease solicitor Alison Sayers explains:

“When the person exposed to asbestos has passed away it can be difficult, but not impossible, to pursue a claim because they are not here to provide evidence about their exposure to asbestos. That’s why it’s vital to use a solicitor with experience in these types of claims. 

“While money cannot ever truly compensate a person for the loss of their loved one, it can at the very least provide some financial security for the future of those left behind.”

If you or a family member has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, Novum Law’s team of specialist asbestos disease solicitors can help on a No Win, No Fee basis. To find out more information, contact us on Freephone: 0800 884 0777, email: info@novumlaw.com or complete our online enquiry form.