January 23, 2025

Six-figure settlement for and justice for widow of former Wright’s Insulations driver.

Posted in Mesothelioma

Our expert mesothelioma solicitors  were instructed by Pauline following the death of her husband, Paul, from mesothelioma.

Paul and Pauline had emigrated to Australia in the late-1980s and had lived there ever since. They had been married for over 50 years. Paul was a keen gardener and tended to their large gardens on their property on the Gold Coast.

Before they emigrated to Australia, Paul had worked for Wright’s Insulations in Greater Manchester in the late-1960s, as a delivery driver, delivering products containing asbestos to building sites. He would deliver all over the local area in his flatbed van. Unbeknownst to him, he was exposed to significant asbestos when loading and unloading these products.

Pauline’s case was technical and complex, owing to the fact that when Paul died, the Australian authorities did not refer to his death to the Coroner (as is usual practice with a mesothelioma death here in the UK). We therefore instructed a private pathologist to review pathological material and provide an opinion on the cause of Paul’s mesothelioma. The pathologist confirmed Paul’s diagnosis of mesothelioma and, following further medical evidence from respiratory physicians, that his mesothelioma was caused by exposure to asbestos. Given that Paul had only been exposed to asbestos with Wright’s Insulations, a case was brought against them.

Following several months of liaising with Australian medics, our evidence was finalised and put forward to the Wright’s Insulations solicitors. We applied for Letters of Administration to allow Pauline to bring the case on Paul’s behalf and the Defendant reserved their position on liability until they were provided with our final evidence which included further medical reports and witness statements.

As is common in cases such as this, we carefully considered what services Pauline would require now that she had lost her husband, who was a very handy man and tended to their large gardens, pool and house. Pauline could not maintain the significant physical upkeep to the house and therefore future costs were claimed, for things like property maintenance, due to the fact that it was something Paul would have done.

The Defendant’s solicitors were keen to attempt to settle the case without the need to issue court proceedings, and a settlement was negotiated with them for a significant six-figure sum.

Mrs Bonnett had this to say:

I recently had experience with RWK Goodman of Oxford in connection with a claim regarding my late husband. My matter was handled by David Hughes and Team who were extremely efficient and very sensitive in the handling of this matter. It was made quite difficult by the fact I now live in Australia. However, he was able to procure me a very substantial sum which will greatly help me with my future needs and the running of my home as my husband would have wanted. I am extremely grateful to David and his Team and would recommend them unconditionally. Pauline Bonnett

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