The family of a former metal tester has been awarded compensation after his death from an asbestos-related disease.

Derek Billingham had worked for Lloyds British Inspection Services Ltd. (Lloyds) between 1968 and 1970, carrying out inspections of industrial sites. He spent three months working at Cottam Power Station in Nottinghamshire, where he would test the strength of steel girders by throwing a chain around them and attaching weights to it. Each time he did this, a shower of asbestos dust would fall on him. Despite the risks associated with asbestos, he was never issued with protective clothing and was not warned about the dangers of working with the substance.

In December 2007, Mr Billingham was diagnosed with mesothelioma, an incurable cancer of the lining of the lungs which is caused by inhalation of asbestos fibres. He died in August 2008, aged just 59.

Mr Billingham’s family brought claims against Lloyds and two other companies he had worked for in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The other two claims were resolved prior to the court hearing, but Lloyds continued to deny liability for Mr Billingham’s injuries. In the High Court, however, Mr Justice Bean found that Mr Billingham’s family was entitled to £82,000 in compensation. Lloyds will have to pay £38,000 of this, given that an out-of-court settlement of £44,000 had been agreed with one of the other companies involved.

The Health and Safety Executive website provides information on working with asbestos.