Mesothelioma Cases

Derrick Lambert died of mesothelioma one year back. He was a Wolverten British locomotive engineer for 48 years.

When Derrick was diagnosed of the disease, he was unaware of what caused it. “We had to write the name of the disease because we did not know what it was”, remembers his wife. Derrick remembers coming home covered in white dust. But he was unaware of the dangers caused by the fine white dust that hung about him. “He had a persistent cough for some time. But we never thought that it had anything to do with his job. It was painful to watch him simply fade away.” Derrick’s wife Clarice was awarded compensation after his death.

When Was Asbestos Used?

In the 1900s, asbestos was used heavily in the locomotive industry. It was present on site as an extensively used insulation. It was used to fireproof lagging carriages and upholstery. Heating systems and insulation used on pipes contained asbestos. Engineers and other workers who came into contact with the insulation were at risk.

Locomotive engineers are also required to perform periodic maintenance of equipment and this exposes them to large amounts of asbestos. The debris left from the work is swept up and it remains in the vicinity for long periods, thus subjecting all workers who come near the area to asbestos dust exposure.

Locomotive engineers, who worked in the period before the 1980s, carry a heavy risk of exposure to asbestos. Before the 1980s, many companies had not started taking the threat seriously and workers too were unaware of the toxicity of the material they were exposed to.

Risks of Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos exposure can lead to a number of diseases. The most dreaded of these is Mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a devastating disease. No amount of compensation can ever bring back a loved one. However, every settlement brings with it a sense of justice. It also gives hope to the thousands of people out there who are battling against huge corporate houses for their rightful compensation.