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Asbestos Pipes

Former oil refinery worker secures compensation following asbestos-related cancer diagnosis

A former oil refinery plumber and pipefitter has secured a six-figure settlement and an agreement for the cost of his future medical treatment to be paid after he was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a cancer caused by asbestos.

Posted on 28 January 2025

Paul Dexter started work at the Coryton Refinery on the Thames Estuary in Essex in 1970. He was aged 18 and trained as a pipefitter alongside his father, who worked at the same refinery.

After roughly a year, Paul began working at the Shell Haven Refinery - also on the Thames Estuary - where he worked for another year.

Paul worked at both refineries again between 1972 and 1980 in between other jobs at different sites across London and Essex. As was usual at the time, Paul was contracted by several different companies while working at the refineries.

Paul’s day-to-day work was similar at both refineries, which he remembers were full of pipes insulated with asbestos due to its heat-resistant properties.

Paul was required to remove asbestos from the pipes so that maintenance and repairs could be undertaken. The work dispersed large amounts of asbestos dust and debris which, as he was a trainee, Paul was also required to sweep up. He says he was never warned about the dangers of working with asbestos and was not given any protective equipment for this work.

Paul Dexter, aged 19

In August 2022 aged 70, Paul began noticing that he could no longer carry out tasks that he used to be able to do with ease, such as running around with his grandchildren. After a series of investigations, he was diagnosed with mesothelioma. 

Paul instructed law firm Leigh Day to investigate a potential legal claim against his previous employers and the owners of the refineries. Eventually, after court proceedings were begun, judgment was obtained in Paul’s favour after the first court hearing. 

Paul was then successful in recovering compensation as well as an agreement from his previous employers that they would pay for future medical treatment of his mesothelioma. He also secured a contribution to his compensation from an owner of the Coryton Refinery.

Paul said:

“I was recommended by a close friend of mine who knew of Leigh Day’s reputation. They came to my home and after 10 minutes of talking to Vijay and Leah I was assured that I was in safe hands. I was always confident they would get me the best result possible.

The compensation claim was always secondary to the medical claim, and they were able to secure funds for my future treatment in the private sector. 

I cannot thank Leigh Day enough for all there help for providing financial security for my wife and the medical care I may need in the future.” 

Leigh Day partner Vijay Ganapathy, who represents Paul, said:

“I am overjoyed with the outcome in Paul’s case.  To him, this was never about the money but ensuring that the costs of any vital treatment he needed were covered.  Some defendants can, unfortunately, be difficult about this so I am delighted that agreement on this has been reached, especially given that this widens Paul’s treatment options beyond what is available on the NHS.” 

Paul and others diagnosed with mesothelioma spoke of their experience after developing mesothelioma and obtaining legal assistance. You can listen to their stories here

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Vijay Ganapathy
Asbestos and mesothelioma Industrial disease Spinal injury

Vijay Ganapathy

Vijay is a partner who specialises in industrial disease and complex injury cases.

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