A gardener who was diagnosed with an asbestos related cancer and told he
has only months to live has been awarded £205,000, with the help of
UNISON.
The UKÕs largest public sector union helped Mr Gaffney claim the
compensation after he was exposed to asbestos while working for the
University of Liverpool during the 1980s.
The 57-year-old, from Liverpool, took his lunch breaks in the boiler room at
the university, which had asbestos insulation.
The father of two and granddad to five was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a
rare cancer of the lining of the lungs, in February 2008.
There is no cure for the disease and he has been told he has only months to
live.
Following his diagnosis, Mr Gaffney contacted UNISON. The unionÕs solicitors,
Thompsons, pursued the claim for twelve months in the High Court, in
London.
Mr Gaffney said:
ÒI am pleased that we have won, but this is still a death sentence.
ÒThere is nothing more doctors can do for me now and IÕve got five grandkids
that I will never see grow up.
ÒI am just taking every day as it comes. You get depressed, but you have to
put it to the back of your mind, you canÕt let it get you down.
ÒLast year they gave me ten months to live and I donÕt know how much
longer IÕve got now, but hopefully the operation will have extended it a bit.
ÒAs far as we were concerned we were safe, but I have since learnt about the
dangers of asbestos, including the fact that it can be in your system for fifty
years.
ÒI hope this case helps create awareness of the risks for others.Ó
Dave Prentis, UNISONÕs General Secretary, said:
ÒWhilst we are delighted with the settlement awarded to Mr Gaffney, the
money can never replace the years he will lose with his family.
ÒIt is a disgrace that he was exposed to these dangers.
ÒMany people are still suffering the consequences of being exposed to
asbestos in the workplace.Ó
Janine Carey from Thompsons Solicitors said: ÒAfter decades of dedicating
himself to work at the University of Liverpool our client was devastated when
he was diagnosed with mesothelioma,.
ÒHe had no idea that eating his lunch in the asbestos polluted environment of
the University boiler room would eventually cause a fatal illness.
ÒIt is only right he is compensated for the devastating effects of his
employerÕs negligence.
ÒHis union was instrumental in ensuring that he received specialist legal
advice which enabled his claim to be resolved successfully during his
lifetime.Ó
Ends