Louisa Saville represented Norma Hill, who was diagnosed with mesothelioma in late 2022 after becoming unwell whilst attending a family wedding. Initially it was unclear where her asbestos exposure had occurred as she had spent most of her life caring for her family. All potential sources of asbestos exposure were considered, her own work history and that of her late husband. After discussing her past in detail it became clear that she was exposed to asbestos when she worked for Milford Astor Limited in Salford as a clerical worker in her 20s.

Milford Astor Limited was no longer trading and we were unable to trace the employers’ liability insurers. Therefore, we submitted a claim under the Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme. This was a scheme established in 2008 to compensate victims of mesothelioma where it was not possible to trace either their former employers or the relevant employers’ liability cover. Our application was successful, and Norma received a payout of damages during her lifetime.