Pleural plaques compensation for retired joiner

Archie Dickson, a 75-year-old man from Glasgow, was exposed to asbestos in the mid-1960s when he worked at Barclay Curle & Co Limited as a joiner in their shipyard.

“We were cutting the asbestos sheets with a saw for the new power station and the dust was everywhere but we thought nothing of it at the time.

"We were offered no protection, never given any instructions about how to handle it, we were never told about the damage it could cause."

Pleural plaques discovered 50 years later…

Mr Dickson inhaled large quantities of asbestos dust and particles, which led to him being diagnosed with Pleural Plaques in June 2017, over 50 years later.

“When myself and my wife Elizabeth were first told we were both completely shocked. The way they told us I think they assumed we knew.

“The consultant explained it was a minor asbestos disease and he didn’t think it would lead to anything further but I do worry.

“We know people who have went through something similar and have went on to develop something more serious. My friend died three years ago from an asbestos disease so it is always there at the back of my mind that it could get worse.

“But it is there and we just have to just live with it. There’s nothing we can do to change it now.”

Only three years to raise a pleural plaques claim

Mr Dickson’s consultant advised him that he was eligible to claim compensation from his former employer and his local lawyer put him in touch with specialist solicitors at Digby Brown.

“We were aware there were time limits in place to bring a claim forward so decided we better do it now to see if there’s a possibility for compensation.”

If Mr Dickson had not raised a claim for pleural plaques within three years, he would have lost his right to compensation, not just for pleural plaques, but for any more serious asbestos-related condition he may have gone on to develop.

Digby Brown legal process

Fraser Simpson, Partner and Head of Industrial Disease at Digby Brown, acted on behalf of Mr Dickson.

“I thought Digby Brown were excellent. We had never done anything like this before but they explained everything so carefully and took time with us and gave us time to think things over, very impressed with the service.

“You know, it wasn’t a million pound case, but we were treated so well and no differently, it wasn’t like ‘this is a minor case and doesn’t’ matter.”

Proving pleural plaques caused by work

Our expert asbestos disease solicitors went through Mr Dickson’s work records and arranged for an independent medical consultant to review his medical history.

“They were very professional and thorough building my case, making sure they had all the evidence they needed to prove my employer was at fault.

“There was a possibility that we may have had to go to court in order to settle the case, but the other side made a fair offer before this happened which was a bit of a relief.

“God forbid anything should happen in the future, but if it did, we would speak to someone at Digby Brown and would recommend them to anyone who found themselves in a similar situation.”

By securing provisional compensation for pleural plaques, Mr Dickson has protected his legal right to future compensation if he develops a more serious asbestos disease such as mesothelioma.

If you have been diagnosed with an asbestos related disease, it is essential that you seek legal advice as soon as possible.