Derby asbestos victim's family look set for pay-out

THE family of a man who died after claiming he was exposed to asbestos are one step closer to getting compensation after an appeal in the Evening Telegraph.

Walter George Cotton claimed he was among several people exposed to asbestos while working as a locomotive engineer, in Siddals Road, Derby.

He died in April last year after spending two years suffering from crippling chest and shoulder pain caused by asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma.

Mr Cotton, 86, formerly of Leacroft Road, Osmaston, began legal action to get compensation in August 2007 but the process stalled because his solicitor struggled to find witnesses who saw him work with asbestos.

Following an appeal in the Evening Telegraph, four people came forward who were prepared to give statements.

Jane Jasper, Mr Cotton's daughter, said: "My brother and I said we would carry on the action for our mother, Daphne's benefit.

"She is not very mobile now. And the money would be very useful especially now that my father is gone.

"It's great news that they have come forward."

Mr Cotton worked for London Midland and Scottish Railway Company and British Railways, between 1935 and 1957.

He had claimed that when he stripped down engines it caused clouds of asbestos dust to rise into the air, covering surrounding surfaces and the men working nearby.

It is during this work that he believed asbestos inhalation occurred.

His case is being brought against the Government claims department because British Railways was nationalised when Mr Cotton, was an employee.

Mrs Jasper, of Bridgnorth, Shropshire, accepted that British Railways, like many other companies, did not know the danger of asbestos.

But she said that no-one should have to suffer as her father did.

She said: "He was in a lot of pain in his chest and in his shoulder for two years.

"Mesothelioma is difficult to pick up and he was only diagnosed in August 2007.''

The family's solicitor Kim Barrett said finding witnesses was a major step forward. She said: "It was thanks to the Evening Telegraph article that the witnesses came forward.

"We have a good case now. A substantial amount of compensation is possible.

"Larger pay-outs tend to happen when the widow of the deceased is still alive as is the case here."

Progress in Mr Cotton's case comes as Derby Coroner's Court heard details of another case of asbestos poisoning resulting from working for British Railways in Derby.

David Ball made a successful claim for compensation after contracting mesothelioma while working as a vehicle builder at the Litchurch Lane site.

Mr Ball, of Langdale Drive, Breadsall, worked with asbestos during the 1940s, 50s and 60s. He died on December 3, last year.

The coroner for Derby and South Derbyshire, Dr Robert Hunter, recorded a verdict of death due to industrial disease.

An inquest into Mr Cotton's death in April last year recorded the same verdict.