Somerset Widow Receives Compensation for Husbands Death

A Somerset woman is to receive £290,000 in compensation from Bristol Water following her husband’s death from cancer – caused by contact with asbestos at the company’s pumping stations.

Jean Bean of Shepton Mallet, Somerset, won her claim after her husband, David, died last year at the age of 73.

David Bean had worked for Bristol Water plc in Bridegwater Road, Bristol as an electrical engineer from 1953 – 1992. His job was maintaining pumping stations and dealing with maintenance and installation of plant and equipment.

Mrs Bean’s solicitor, Brigitte Chandler of Swindon law firm Charles Lucas & Marshall and one of the UK’s leading experts in asbestos-related claims, says the financial settlement will compensate Mrs Bean for loss of income resulting from her husband’s death.

“Mr Bean visited pumping stations all over the Western area,” said Ms Chandler. “They contained large boilers, often the size of houses, which were covered with asbestos cement lagging.

“Mr Bean would have been in contact with the asbestos as he walked around the pumping station.

“He was never given protective masks or clothing and continued to be exposed to asbestos until he left the company in 1992.”

“Mr Bean was healthy until September 2010 when he developed chest pains, coughing and breathlessness and was diagnosed with mesothelioma”.

Asbestos continues to be a problem faced by all trades in their day to day work. If you need help or advice then please contact Proactive Asbestos Control Ltd.