Science Teacher’s Widow Wins Asbestos Death Compensation

The widow of a school teacher who died from mesothelioma as a result of exposure to asbestos in a school’s science laboratories has been awarded compensation.

The unnamed man worked as a chemistry teacher at a school in East Sussex for 34 years. He was exposed to asbestos in the equipment he used when carrying out scientific experiments and demonstrations.

It can take a long time for the symptoms of mesothelioma to develop – usually a minimum of 30 years. There is no known cure for the disease and sufferers often die soon after their diagnosis. In this case, the teacher died within five months of being diagnosed and just one year after he had retired.

The council involved agreed to pay compensation of £290,000 to the man’s widow.

Asbestos was used in many different types of building between the 1950s and the 1980s. Asbestos-containing materials that are in good condition and not disturbed do not pose a risk to health. The material becomes dangerous when it is damaged and the asbestos fibres become airborne. Over three-quarters of existing schools are thought to contain asbestos, which was widely used for insulation and fireproofing.

The Association of Teachers and Lecturers reports that between 1980 and 2000, 182 people working in education are known to have died from mesothelioma. The Association fears this is the ‘tip of the iceberg’ and has called for a national survey of all schools to discover the extent of asbestos use in school buildings.

If you or someone you know has been affected by mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related disease caused by exposure in the workplace, it is important to seek advice as soon as possible. San Chima is experienced in handling such claims.

Adams Solicitors London
May 2009