Alfred first experienced symptoms of mesothelioma in the form of shortness of breath, which he initially believed to be the result of a severe chest infection. Following a period as an inpatient at St Mary’s Hospital, regular pleural drainage and a biopsy at Southampton Hospital, he was diagnosed with mesothelioma.

Since receiving his diagnosis, Alfred has shown considerable resilience in facing the challenges of his illness, while also coming to terms with the devastating loss of his wife.

Alfred was exposed to asbestos during his employment with B.H.P. Electrical Company (Slough) Limited while working at Slough Power Station, Wolverton Mill and on a range of other general factory tasks.

At Slough Power Station, Alfred’s duties included renewing lighting systems within the service ducts, where there was an extensive network of steam pipes lagged with asbestos. In the course of his work, he regularly brushed against and struck asbestos-lagged pipes. He also worked in the boiler room, where he encountered old asbestos lagging that had become extremely crumbly.

At Wolverton Mill, Alfred worked on gaskets made from asbestos. The site also contained a number of other asbestos materials, including a corrugated asbestos roof and asbestos sheeting. The installation of the corrugated roof took place during Alfred’s time there and created a particularly dusty environment. He also installed lighting within the asbestos roof, while carpenters drilled and cut asbestos sheeting nearby.

Rachel Carman, a specialist mesothelioma solicitor at RWK Goodman, took immediate action on Alfred’s behalf. Supported by her colleague George Bell from the firm’s specialist Respiratory Disease team, she prepared a detailed witness statement setting out the circumstances in which Alfred had been exposed to dangerous asbestos dust. Rachel also instructed a medical expert, whose report confirmed that Alfred’s mesothelioma had been caused by his asbestos exposure during his employment with B.H.P. Electrical Company (Slough) Limited.

Rachel and George worked tirelessly to secure a substantial six-figure settlement for Alfred, together with the defendant’s agreement to fund any future private treatment he may require for his mesothelioma.