£50,000 interim payment secured for mesothelioma sufferer.

Mr K worked for Leonard Garbutts Ltd , Herbert Mather & Sons and Sir Lindsay Parkinsons, where he was regularly exposed to Asbestolux while working as a carpenter and joiner. His career spanned the 1950s and 60s, a time when asbestos was widely used in construction, often without any warnings or protective measures. Unfortunately, decades later Mr K was diagnosed with mesothelioma – an aggressive cancer caused by asbestos exposure.

Before fully qualifying as a carpenter, Mr K spent a year as a trainee mechanic in a Leeds garage. As a young man he was given more menial tasks including sweeping floors , cleaning dust and replacing brake pads. At the time brake linings were made with asbestos, and every task generated clouds of deadly fibres. Old, brittle brake pads had to be chipped away, while new ones arrived in dusty boxes, requiring chamfering and filing before fitting. He was not warned of the danger despite being exposed.

After leaving the garage, Mr K began his apprenticeship as a joiner with Leonard Garbutts Ltd in Aberford, a large firm employing around 300 workers. The company specialised in constructing, housing estates and agricultural and industrial buildings. As a carpenter, Mr K’s daily work involved handling Asbestolux boards- cutting them down , drilling them into place, fitting soffits above his head , causing asbestos dust to fall directly onto him. He also fitted roofs using corrugated asbestos sheets, which had to be cut with a hacksaw before being nailed into place, creating even more airborne asbestos.

Despite heavy exposure no protective gear was provided and no warnings were given about the risks of working with asbestos. It was simply a part of the job.

In the late 1950s he moved to Herbert Mather & Son, where he carried out similar work, this time installing Asbestolux soffits in 600 houses in Cookridge in Leeds. His final move in the 1960s was to Sir Lindsay Parkinsons, where he worked on housing projects in Garfourth. Even as a foreman, he was surrounded by asbestos, cutting soffits and working alongside tradesmen sawing asbestos sheets daily.

Decades after unknowingly inhaling asbestos dust Mr K was diagnosed with mesothelioma following an MRI scan and biopsy.

Understanding the urgency of his situation, our team secured an interim payment of £50,000 while gathering further medical evidence. This payment provided vital financial support while his case progressed.

If you worked as a carpenter or joiner in the 1950s, 60s or 70s, you may have been exposed to asbestos- either directly or by working alongside others who were cutting and handling it.

Mesothelioma and other asbestos related diseases can take decades to appear, meaning many people are only now discovering the consequence of their past work. If you have recently been diagnosed and need advice on claiming compensation, contact us today. We have extensive experience securing justice for those affected by asbestos exposure and can help you get the support you deserve.