Asbestos cancer sufferer receives life-prolonging treatment through legal victory

Gary, a former foundry worker from Brighton, has been diagnosed with terminal mesothelioma, a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos, and is now receiving life-prolonging immunotherapy treatment thanks to a legal case led by our Asbestos team, here at Wolferstans Solicitors.

With the help of Liz Makin, a specialist asbestos solicitor, Gary was able to identify the source of his asbestos exposure and make a claim against his former employer’s insurance company, who admitted liability.

Gary now lives in New Zealand, where the necessary treatment for his cancer is not publicly funded. However, our team worked with his doctors to secure the evidence required for Gary's treatment and an interim payment of £50,000 was made to Gary within a few months, which allowed him to begin receiving the necessary life-prolonging treatment. Further payments totalling £80,000 have since been received. Payment for the treatment is in addition to compensation due for the rest of the claim.

Fortunately, recent scans have shown that Gary's treatment has been successful, and doctors have recommended longer gaps between cycles. In Gary’s future settlement, Wolferstans will request that funds for this ongoing treatment be provided, even after the settlement of the rest of the claim is reached.

Gary’s case is unusual, as he is the primary carer for his two grandsons. His settlement will include additional compensation for them, for the care he will not be able to give them during his illness and after his death. For now, the treatment he is receiving means that he’s having quality time with them, staying in better health for longer, which means a great deal to them all. Gary is further comforted by knowing his family will be taken care of financially, even after he is gone.

Liz Makin, his lead lawyer, said: "We are delighted to have been able to secure early interim payments for Gary, which have enabled him to access life-prolonging treatment not available in New Zealand through their state health care system. We are now working towards achieving a settlement that will secure his and his family's future. He and his wife are a lovely couple and it’s always a pleasure to have an early morning call with them in New Zealand."

Our team's expertise in this complex cross-border case has allowed Gary to access the treatment he needed to prolong his life and to provide for his family's future. Gary's story highlights the importance of seeking legal advice for workplace-related illnesses and injuries, and how the right legal support can make all the difference in fighting for justice and securing a better future.

If you, or someone you know, have suffered an injury or loss and require legal support, we encourage you to contact us for a free initial consultation. Our No Win, No Fee approach means that there is no risk to you and that you will only pay if your case is successful. In mesothelioma claims such as Gary’s, there will be no deduction from compensation at all.

Don't let your personal injury claim go unheard. Contact us today and let us fight for the justice and compensation that you deserve.