A woman whose husband died from an asbestos-related disease has won a six-figure sum in damages.

John Bromley worked as a building inspector and surveyor for the local council in Stafford for 37 years. In the 1970s, part of his job was to check that asbestos had been correctly sprayed onto beams to provide fire protection. In addition, he was often present when asbestos was being applied or prepared for use.

It was not until late 2009 that Mr Bromley started suffering from breathing problems. He also developed a persistent cough and began experiencing sickness and pain in his stomach. Hospital tests showed that he was suffering from mesothelioma, a deadly cancer of the lining of the lungs for which there is no cure. He underwent chemotherapy but died a few months later.

Mr Bromley’s wife, Angela, brought a personal injury claim against the council on the ground that it had failed in its duty to protect the health and safety of her husband. The council should have been aware that asbestos is a dangerous and potentially deadly substance and taken the appropriate steps to reduce the risk it posed to its employees.

The claim was not contested and an out-of-court settlement was reached.

Thousands of people in the UK are affected by asbestos-related diseases each year – most often factory workers and labourers. Many have been exposed to asbestos through negligence on the part of their employers and therefore have the right to claim compensation for the personal injuries sustained.