£142,279 DMPS payment for man in New Zealand

Paul Howard was exposed to asbestos whilst undertaking an apprenticeship with HG Puley (Romford) Limited in Essex in the late 1950s/early 1960s. Part of his work involved making fire doors which he had to machine and sand and to which he would affix flashing strip.

At this time many fire doors contained asbestos materials in order to meet the "60 Minute" fireproofing standard set by the British Standards Institute. Mr Howard was exposed to the airborne waste dust of those asbestos materials whilst carrying out his work.

Mr Howard was diagnosed with mesothelioma in New Zealand in December 2015 after experiencing weight loss and breathlessness for six months. His doctor informed him and his family that he may qualify for compensation in the UK and recommended that he contact the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL).

Andrew Morgan, a Partner in our Asbestos Team, is an APIL Fellow and an APIL Accredited Occupational and Asbestos Disease Specialist. Mr Howard instructed Andrew to pursue a claim for compensation against HG Puley (Romford) Limited in January 2016. It emerged that the company had dissolved in 1985 and no insurers were identified through the Employer's Liability Tracing Office (ELTO). Andrew Morgan helped Mr Howard to apply to the Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme (DMPS) and DMPS payment was awarded to Mr Howard in March 2016, within four months of instruction.

Andrew said:

"Mr Howard's story reminds us how quickly DMPS applications can resolved to provide financial help to people with mesothelioma when there is no employer left to sue. This is a particularly important source of compensation to consider when the exposure occurred so long ago, in the 1950s and '60s"

Mr Howard's son said:

"Both my Dad and I appreciate the speed and urgency you have shown dealing with his DMPS claim. Dad has been worrying about it so to have regular, positive updates for him has helped to ease the mind. I, myself, was unsure how easy this would be to undertake but you've been most helpful in walking me through it. Thank you."

Contact us

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

Alternatively

• You can speak to our asbestos disease lawyers on freephone 0800 358 3848
• email us: personalinjury@fieldfisher.com
• Complete the short online enquiry form

All enquiries are completely free of charge and we will investigate all funding options for you including no win no fee.