Families win landmark Asbestos appeal

Two UK families have won landmark compensation appeals following the tragic deaths of loved ones to asbestos exposure.

Dianne Willmore and Enid Costello died recently after contracting the deadly asbestos related disease mesothelioma. Together with their families, they launched appeals for compensation before their untimely deaths and this week compensation was awarded in retrospect.

Mrs Costello died in January 2006, aged 74. Her daughter Karen Sienkiewicz initially lost a county court claim to compensation made on behalf of her late mother's estate, but won in the appeal court.

She was said to have breathed in dust containing asbestos when she was a secretary at a packaging factory in Ellesmere Port. The compensation claim was against her former employer Greif (UK) Ltd.

But Mrs Willmore's case was a legal first. The Welsh mother-of-two died in October 2009 aged 49, a day later a judge ruled that said she was entitled to £240,000 compensation.

Mrs Willmore contracted the cancer after apparently being exposed to asbestos dust while a pupil at Bowring School in Huyton in the 1970s. Her award is the first to be granted to an ex pupil claiming to have been exposed to asbestos whilst at school.

The Court of Appeal ruled compensation should be paid in both cases, but Knowsley Council, challenging Mrs Willmore's claim, and Greif UK fought the rulings in the Supreme Court - where seven justices have now unanimously dismissed their appeals.

Cases of mesothelioma are common throughout the UK.  Lapse health and safety laws in years gone by resulted in exposure to asbestos and no matter how 'light' said exposure was, disease is a definite possibility.

If you or your family has suffered from the tragic effects of asbestos exposure, contact our solicitors today.