£200,000 for a former apprentice carpenter joiner with sarcomatoid mesothelioma. Settled within 10 months of instructions.

Bob’s mesothelioma was discovered by chance after he was undergoing treatment for a skin cancer on his shoulder. His treatment required a CT scan which identified a pleural mass and pleural effusion. A biopsy followed, which confirmed his diagnosis of sarcomatoid mesothelioma. Bob was diagnosed with mesothelioma in November 2022, but it was considered by the medical experts instructed in his case, that he was likely to have first suffered symptoms of his mesothelioma in July 2021. At the time of his initial symptoms, it was suggested that gallstones were the potential cause.

Following his diagnosis, Bob was treated with dual immunotherapy with Nivolumab and Ipilimumab on the NHS. He was not showing any signs of disease progression and his immunotherapy treatment was proceeding well. However, 5 months into his treatment he was admitted to hospital with confusion and had developed toxicities as a result of his immunotherapy. It was also discovered that he had a small cerebral metastasis (the mesothelioma had spread to his brain). Bob underwent cyberknife radiotherapy and unfortunately was no longer able to continue with his immunotherapy treatment.

Unfortunately, Bob’s spread of the disease to his brain continued to grow and 5 months later he underwent surgery to remove the tumour from his brain. This was due to suffering with ongoing symptoms of pain, confusion, and discomfort as a result of the spread of the disease. Due to the complexities with his condition Bob is unlikely to be suitable for radiotherapy or further immunotherapy.

Bob was exposed to asbestos when working as an apprentice carpenter and joiner for Higgs & Hill Ltd in the 1960s. This was a large building firm at the time, which is an ongoing active company now known as Raven Mount Services Ltd.

Bob described exposure to asbestos when working alongside others cutting asbestos in the joinery shop and when working alongside other trades on site. Bob worked on contracts including the Royal Festival Hall, BBC White City and the Birds Eye factory at Walton-on-Thames.

Annabelle Neilson in our expert Mesothelioma claims team successfully obtained an admission of liability within 5 months of her instructions, including an interim payment of £50,000. Bob wished to settle his claim in his lifetime and within days of informing his expert mesothelioma solicitor of his impending surgery and wish to settle prior to this occurring, settlement was negotiated and agreed with the Defendant at £200,000.

Bob was therefore able to undergo his surgery secure in the knowledge that his claim was settled. Happily, Bob underwent his surgery which was successful, and he is progressing well.

Annabelle Neilson commented “It was a pleasure to act for Bob and to swiftly settle his claim considering his impending surgery. Bob wanted the security and comfort of knowing that his family was provided for regardless of the outcome of his surgery".