£12,500 Compensation Secured for Client Diagnosed with Pleural Plaques Following Historical Asbestos Exposure

At Keenan Solicitors, we secured a £12,500 settlement for a client who developed pleural plaques due to historical asbestos exposure in the 1960s while working as a labourer. Although pleural plaques are asymptomatic, they are a clear marker of past asbestos exposure and can form the basis of a legal claim.

This case required careful investigation due to the passage of time, defunct employer, and the latent nature of the diagnosis—but we were able to identify insurers, gather the necessary medical evidence, and achieve a successful outcome.

What Happened?

Our client worked for Johnston Brothers & Wilson in the 1960s, a company involved in the installation of large industrial boilers in settings such as churches and commercial buildings.

• At the time, asbestos was widely used as an insulating material in:
  • Boilers
  • Hot water tanks
  • Pipework

• As a labourer, he was exposed to asbestos dust:
  • While accessing heating systems
  • During application and handling of asbestos-lagging materials
  • Often in confined indoor spaces with poor ventilation

After a few years, our client moved on to other employment where no further exposure occurred.

Diagnosis of Pleural Plaques:

Decades later, our client underwent chest imaging for unrelated medical issues, where:

• The presence of pleural plaques on the lungs was identified.
• He had previously been unaware of their existence, as pleural plaques do not cause symptoms.
• However, the diagnosis confirmed past asbestos exposure, qualifying him to bring a legal claim.
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The Case:

1. Investigating an Historic Employer

Our client contacted Keenan Solicitors, and we began:

• Investigating Johnston Brothers & Wilson, which was no longer trading
• Conducting insurance tracing through historic employer liability databases
• Successfully identifying the insurer on risk during the client’s period of employment

2. Gathering Medical Evidence

We:

• Obtained the client’s chest imaging results and medical notes
• Sought an expert report confirming the diagnosis of pleural plaques consistent with occupational asbestos exposure

3. Legal Action and Negotiation

• We issued proceedings against the identified insurer
• After engaging with the defendant’s legal team and exchanging evidence, we entered settlement negotiations
• We secured a £12,500 settlement for our client without the need for a contested court hearing

The Outcome:

• £12,500 compensation secured for pleural plaques
• Historic insurer traced, despite the company no longer existing
• Claim resolved efficiently, despite the exposure occurring over 50 years ago
• Client relieved and satisfied, with the impact of past workplace exposure recognised and addressed

Have You Been Exposed to Asbestos in the Past?

Even if you’re symptom-free, a diagnosis of pleural plaques can still lead to compensation. We specialise in historical workplace claims and can trace insurers for long-defunct companies.