Asbestos victim sues for £100,000

AN Oldham electrician who says he was exposed to deadly asbestos dust and fibres at work has launched a legal battle for compensation of up to £100,000 against his former bosses.

A writ issued at London’s High Court says that Anthony Eccles (56) already suffers from thickening of the lung membrane after being exposed to deadly asbestos dust and fibres at work and hints that he could develop lung cancer or some other asbestos- related fatal disease such as mesothelioma.

Now he is suing the Co-operative Group for compensation, and is also seeking the right to return to court to ask for more if his conditions deteriorates and he does develop lung cancer, mesothelioma, pleural plaques, or becomes disabled.

Mr Eccles, of Ferguson Way, Watersheddings, suffered from breathlessness and repeated chest infections for many years, and consulted his doctor in 2009. After tests, he was diagnosed with pleural thickening, which affects the lung membrane, in December, 2009, and this is likely to get worse, according to a High Court writ. He is also at risk of developing other asbestos-related conditions.

The writ claims he was exposed to asbestos at work on sites at different places in Manchester, working on old buildings being refurbished. He installed, removed and renewed electrical cabling, working in boiler houses, roof spaces and underground ducts, where pipes were lagged with asbestos.

The lagging was old, in poor condition, dry and crumbly, and he inhaled asbestos fibres released into the atmosphere, it is alleged. Asbestos dust got on to his hands and clothes as he worked on top of ceiling tiles, and he worked alongside colleagues cutting asbestos boards by hand, the writ says.

Mr Eccles says he also worked alongside heating engineers and pipe-fitters removing old asbestos-lagged pipework, which released large amount of dust on to the floor, which he had to walk through.

He says the Co-op failed to warn him of the risks to his health, failed to ventilate his workplace, failed to remove asbestos dust or damp it down, failed to give him breathing apparatus, failed to provide protective clothing, and failed to warn him of the need to clean his clothes thoroughly each time after working near asbestos.