Oil refinery work leads to loss of much loved husband | Fieldfisher
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Case Study

Oil refinery work leads to loss of much loved husband

Andrew Morgan
Following National Service with the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers, Londoner Laurie Kimpton spent 12 years from 1970 onwards working on an oil refinery in the South of England. He then moved into the petroleum industry, before retiring in 1996.

In early 2017, Mr Kimpton noticed problems with his digestion and developed a sore throat. X-rays identified fluid on his lungs, for which he was given antibiotics, but his condition deteriorated. He was eventually diagnosed with mesothelioma caused by asbestos exposure.

In a statement, Mr Kimpton described how he had been exposed to asbestos working at the refinery and specifically with enormous pieces of equipment lagged with asbestos. When this equipment developed faults, pipefitters would remove the overlaying lagging to inspect the pipes and flanges. Mr Kimpton was there when they did this, his job being to ensure the pipefitters cleared up any debris they generated. He was never given any warnings nor protective equipment when doing his job.

Sadly, Mr Kimpton died of his condition in August 2017. Andrew was able to continue with the claim on behalf of Mrs Kimpton.

Following inquest, Andrew commissioned a medical report, but meanwhile the insurers disputed the diagnosis of mesothelioma and refused to admit liability or offer interim payment. Andrew therefore issued court proceedings, after which the insurers did offer an interim payment, but no admission of liability.

Shortly before the initial hearing, the insurers offered £155,287 which Mrs Kimpton was happy to accept.

My Kimpton's family commented: “Thank you for all your help. I know that Laurie would be pleased that you managed to get justice for him and his family”

Contact us

For further information about mesothelioma compensation claims, please call Andrew Morgan on 0330 460 6737 or email andrew.morgan@fieldfisher.com.

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