Asbestos widow wins compensation payout

A Worcestershire woman whose carpenter husband died after being exposed to asbestos dust at a jail is to receive a six-figure payout from the Home Office. Barry Price, 67, died in 2002 from asbestos-related disease mesothelioma, which he contracted through his job at Hewell Grange Prison in Redditch. His widow Gladys agreed an out-of-court settlement over the death. Her solicitors said Mr Price paid the ultimate price for Home Office neglect. The Home Office has not yet commented.

Mr Price, who worked at the open prison for nearly 30 years from 1973, was regularly exposed to asbestos dust but was not made aware of the dangers. A solicitor from the law firm said: "This was a particularly sad case where public sector employers simply failed to protect Mr Price with disastrous and fatal consequences." At the time he worked for them Mr Price's employers knew, or should have known, of the dangers of working with asbestos and the serious risks of being exposed to asbestos dust.

The law was already in place to protect Mr Price and his employers, the Home Office, should have provided masks, clothing and equipment to remove the dust but they neglected to do so. "This compensation will help Mr Price's family recover the income and pension they have lost due to Barry Price's untimely death." Mrs Price, from Headless Cross in Redditch, said: "Barry was a lovely man and a wonderful father to his son and daughter and we miss him."

Claiming compensation

If you have been in contact with asbestos as a carpenter and have been recently diagnosed with an asbestos disease, you may be entitled to compensation. You may well have worked along side people who have lined ceilings and walls with asbestos. It is likely that you have worked for several companies, most of which have ceased trading, however as long as we can trace the insurance company of one or more company, you could make a claim for asbestos compensation.