A man who spent over a year cutting asbestos sheets without protective gear has received a six-figure compensation award.
David Lawrence, diagnosed with mesothelioma—a type of incurable cancer—after exposure to deadly fibers at a former builders’ merchant, expressed his dismay. The 79-year-old from Maldon, Essex, stated, “It was wrong that our former employers knowingly put us all in danger.”
Lorna Webster, the solicitor handling his case, emphasized that “no amount of compensation” could restore Mr. Lawrence’s previously good health.
In 1961, Mr. Lawrence worked in the cutting area at John Sadd & Sons in Maldon, slicing asbestos sheeting into strips for builders to use as soffits under house guttering. His solicitor noted that he was not provided with any protective equipment to prevent inhalation of asbestos dust.
Due to his diagnosis, Mr. Lawrence struggled to leave his house and had to abandon his hobbies. “It is unfair that people who worked hard like me were put in such danger by our employers,” he said. He urged anyone who has worked in similar environments to seek medical and legal help, even if the company is no longer in business.
John Sadd & Sons, established in 1729 in the coastal town, closed its doors in 1994.
Mr. Lawrence has received support from the London Asbestos Support Awareness Group (LASAG), although the exact amount of his compensation remains undisclosed.
Mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the lining covering the outer surface of some of the body’s organs, typically linked to asbestos exposure and currently incurable, though treatments can alleviate symptoms.
The insurance company responsible for the compensation payout was contacted for comment by the BBC.
For more Essex news, follow on Facebook, Instagram, and X. Have a story? Email [email protected] or WhatsApp at 0800 169 1830.