Family receives six-figure settlement following death of former paper mill worker

A man, who we will refer to as Keith, was employed as an assistant back tenter at the East Lancashire Paper Mill Company Limited from 1997 to 2001. 

Keith's role involved overseeing the first and final stages of the papermaking process, as well as monitoring the machines at the paper mill.  

He had never been provided with a mask or any other respiratory protection. There was also no ventilation or dust extraction in place, and Keith was not warned about the dangers of asbestos dust.  

Over the summer of 2020, Keith started to notice that he was feeling out of breath and had developed a bloated stomach. This was found to be a fluid accumulation in his peritoneum, which was removed through surgery in October later that year.  

On 7 November 2020, Keith was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos that is usually characterised by a swelling of the abdomen.  

Keith had never smoked, did not drink, and had never had any other lung or heart issues. 

In 2020, Keith instructed Steven Dickens, a partner in the specialist asbestos litigation team at Leigh Day to pursue a legal case.  

Keith died in July 2022 from mesothelioma aged 53 and his case was continued by his wife, for the benefit of their young family.  

During investigations, it was identified that a significant amount of asbestos was found during the demolition of the paper mill and the case settled for £685,000.  

The settlement will help to compensate for some of the loss suffered by Keith’s young son, who was deprived of the income and support of his father because of his untimely death from mesothelioma.  

Leigh Day partner Steven Dickens said:  

“This was a very sad case where a greatly loved husband and father died at a young age, despite living a healthy lifestyle.  

“Mesothelioma progresses very quickly and has no cure. I hope this settlement will help to provide for Keith’s family and the damages that they have suffered.”