Skip to main contentAccess keys help

[an error occurred while processing this directive]
BBC News
watch One-Minute World News
Last Updated: Monday, 18 October, 2004, 06:37 GMT 07:37 UK
Widow wins asbestos death damages
A woman whose husband died after working with asbestos has been awarded damages in an out of court settlement.

John King of Biggleswade, Beds, spent almost 10 years with the old Eastern Electricity Board in Norwich - often near pipes lagged with asbestos.

In January 2003 he was diagnosed with mesothelioma, an asbestos-related cancer, and died a year later aged 57.

On Monday his widow, Christine, agreed a settlement with EDF Energy - Eastern Electricity Board's successors.

Mr King began work with the Eastern Electricity Board as an apprentice at its Duke Street site in Norwich in 1959.

'Terrible dangers'

He later worked as an electrician at the company's Marl Cross depot until 1968.

His lawyer Simon Davis, of Kester Cunningham John, said throughout his employment he was never given any form of protection or warned of the dangers to which he was being exposed.

"The grim legacy of asbestos lingers on even 35 years after John left those conditions behind," he said.

"There are many others who worked in very similar conditions, and in fact I've spoke to several of my client's former workmates during preparations for this case who recall vividly what we now know were terrible dangers.

'It's a tragedy which is still being played out after all this time."

He added the case against EDF Energy was only the firm's responsibility as it was the statutory successor to Eastern Electricity.


SEE ALSO:
Government is sued over asbestos
28 Sep 04  |  Merseyside
Remembrance of asbestos sufferers
26 Sep 04  |  Wiltshire


RELATED BBC LINKS:


PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia
UK | Business | Entertainment | Science/Nature | Technology | Health
Have Your Say | In Pictures | Week at a Glance | Country Profiles | In Depth | Programmes
AmericasAfricaEuropeMiddle EastSouth AsiaAsia Pacific