Former Chatham Dockyard worker settles claim for asbestos related disease.

Mr Skinner had suffered from breathlessness for several years and underwent several investigations which confirmed the presence of pleural plaques. In October 2024 Mr Skinner’s respiratory disability was measured at 30%. Mr Skinner’s entire lifestyle has been impacted by his asbestos related disease.

Mr Skinner was exposed to asbestos whilst working for HM Dockyards and HM Forces between 1972/73 and 1982/83, working at Chatham Dockyard. Initially Mr Skinner worked as a Messenger Boy, meaning he entered many of the old buildings on site, which contained asbestos. Asbestos was widespread on the ships and on land. Asbestos debris was regularly present on the floor and in the environment, along with asbestos dust, which Mr Skinner breathed in.

Mr Skinner was often covered in dust which also covered his clothes. He could often taste the dust and would have to regularly cough to clear it from his throat. Mr Skinner was also employed as a Lister Truck Driver and drove all over Chatham Dockyard during this role. Mr Skinner transported asbestos lagged pipes which were around 6 inches thick. Mr Skinner often handled the pipes, disturbing the lagging. Mr Skinner was further exposed to asbestos when working in the lagging department and would remove old asbestos lagging and apply new lagging. Mr Skinner stripped the asbestos lagging, removed asbestos cloth with a Stanley knife and removed asbestos paste with a chisel. Mr Skinner was exposed to large quantities of asbestos during his time working at Chatham Dockyard.

RWK Goodman sent a Letter of Claim to the defendant, the Ministry of Defence. We prepared a detailed witness statement on behalf of Mr Skinner, setting out how he was exposed to asbestos and the impact this had on him. A medical report was obtained, confirming that Mr Skinner’s asbestos related disease had resulted from exposure during his time working for the defendant.

RWK Goodman sought to settle the claim on Mr Skinner’s behalf, but agreeing an appropriate settlement was challenging. RWK Goodman issued a claim in the High Court and continued to push the defendant to settle the claim. The claim successfully settled in February 2025.

Rachel Carman, a Senior Associate in RWK Goodman’s expert Industrial Disease team, represented Mr Skinner and was able to secure this settlement on his behalf.