Settlement secured for family of former British Rail worker following asbestos-related death

Timothy Barry worked for British Rail as an accounts manager from 1966 to 1968. His job involved delivering wages to British Rail’s Temple Mills site in London.
 
In order to hand over wage packets to the accounts offices, Timothy had to walk through railway sheds and past workers who were stripping asbestos products from railway carriages that were being repaired and renovated.
 
In early 2019, Timothy was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lungs, the main cause of which is exposure to asbestos.
 
He contacted the asbestos team at Leigh Day who found a witness who worked at the Temple Mills site in the period 1966 and 1968. The witness detailed the asbestos works undertaken in the railway sheds during this time and recalled seeing someone calling to deliver the weekly wages.
 
In January 2020, the Department for Transport admitted liability. Timothy died aged 75, two weeks later, but a six-figure settlement was secured for his family.
 
Claire Spearpoint, asbestos claims solicitor at Leigh Day, said:
 
“Timothy did not work directly with asbestos but died as a result of coming into contact with it at British Rail’s Temple Mills site, highlighting just how dangerous asbestos is.
 
“Although this settlement doesn’t make up for the loss of Timothy, we are pleased that a settlement has been secured to help support his family.”