A former power station worker has secured compensation after he developed the asbestos-related disease mesothelioma.

The 77-year-old man worked at a power station in the North East between 1964 and 1991. He first worked as a cleaner, then as a fitter’s mate and later went on to work as a driver. During the period when he was employed as a fitter’s mate, one of his jobs was to pull asbestos lagging off walls and pipes. He received no warnings about the potential dangers involved in handling asbestos and no protective equipment was provided, even though the risks attached to working with asbestos were known about at the time.

The diagnosis of mesothelioma, a particularly virulent form of cancer that attacks the lining of the lungs, came as a big shock to the man. He was unaware that asbestos exposure could cause a deadly cancer decades later.

When asbestos fibres enter the body, they can cause healthy cells to mutate into cancerous cells. These can lie dormant for many years before a victim shows any signs of illness. By the time mesothelioma is diagnosed, the survival rate is poor, with around 75 per cent of sufferers dying within one year of diagnosis. It is therefore vital that compensation is paid to those affected at the earliest possible time.

After bringing a personal injury claim against his former employer, the man has received an undisclosed amount in compensation, which will ensure his wife has financial security in the future.