Mesothelioma sufferer wins damages of £400,000

Published on Mon 18 Sep 2006

A carpenter suffering from mesothelioma, the asbestos-related disease, has won damages of £400,000 from his former employer.

Field Fisher Waterhouse, the law firm acting for Amargeet Singh Dahele, said it believed this was one of the highest-ever settlements in such a case.

Dahele claimed to be regularly exposed to asbestos dust and fibres while working on three tower blocks for Thomas Bates. He was required to saw and drill asbestos sheets and was showered with asbestos-laden dust and debris as scaffolding was removed from above him.

The company admitted liability and at court conceded Dahele's claim for nursing care and equipment in the sum of £18,593.26, the cost of private chemotherapy treatment in the sum of £20,000 and in respect of the lost years claim a reduction of 25% rather than the usual 50%.