Handyman receives compensation within three months
Posted on 17 July 2024
Catriona Ratcliffe represented John.
John was employed as a handyman by Samuel Williams & Sons Ltd (a subsidiary of William Hudson Group Ltd) where he worked from 1953 to 1982.
Samuel Williams & Sons Ltd received shipments of oil and liquid chemicals for storage and distribution. Pipes lagged with asbestos were used to move the liquids between tanks and vehicles and the pipelines were changed frequently.
John assisted contractors with the removal of old asbestos lagging from pipes and the application of new asbestos lagging. He was also involved in the construction and demolition of buildings on site which had been constructed using corrugated asbestos cement sheets and asbestos insulation boards. With each task, asbestos dust was dispersed into the air around him and settled on his clothes and skin.
In 2021 John was fit and healthy for his age and enjoyed an active social and family life. Unfortunately, in early 2022 John developed a cough and shortness of breath. Following medical investigations, John was given the devastating diagnosis of mesothelioma in July 2022.
Catriona prepared detailed witness evidence. As a result, Samuel Williams & Sons Ltd admitted liability for the claim without the need to commence court proceedings.
John’s case settled for a six-figure lump sum, plus payment of any future private medical expenses. This speedy settlement was obtained within three months of John instructing Catriona.
Sadly, John died shortly after his case settled.
His daughter-in-law gave the following Trustpilot review
“I would like to say a massive thank you to Catriona Ratcliffe. She was the solicitor acting on behalf of my father-in-law. I can honestly say she was amazing from start to finish. Patient, kind and thorough and extremely professional. She made my father-in-law feel very comfortable in what was a very upsetting situation. She explained everything to him in great detail and kept him updated every step of the way. She did an outstanding job, and he received an out of court settlement, an acceptable amount and the whole process took three months from start to pay out. Would highly recommend Catriona. Thank you.”