Joiner's widow seeks asbestos compensation

A Gateshead woman is seeking asbestos compensation with the help of industrial disease lawyers after her partner died from mesothelioma, it has been reported.

The woman's partner died at the age of 64 in September 2010, just a few months after being diagnosed with the deadly asbestos illness.

It is believed that the man came into contact with asbestos while working as a joiner for Vickers Limited Shipbuilding Group.

His employment saw him working close to where asbestos sheeting was being cut to size and drilled.

The inquest into the man's death ruled that he had died as a result of an industrial disease and as such, his partner is likely to be able to make a claim for asbestos compensation on his behalf.

She said, "They thought it was just a chest infection so he went for some tests and scans. I was with him when they told him - it was devastating.

"He wanted me to fight for compensation in his memory and that's what I intend to do. I can't grieve properly because of the legal work."