A Liverpool man has been awarded a significant amount in compensation from oil giant Shell after he was exposed to asbestos dust more than 40 years ago.
68-year-old Bill Jones launched a law suit against the company last year, after he was diagnosed with diffuse pleural thickening in November 2010.
Shell UK initially denied responsibility for the exposure, which occurred when Mr Jones was working on a North Sea rig from 1969-1971.
“The case itself has gone on for a few years and it didn’t help that Shell took a long time to present evidence,” Mr Jones told the Liverpool Echo.
“It took a few days for it to sink in that this is the end of a long journey and it seems so strange that the ending has come so suddenly.
“Any financial settlement had become irrelevant, it was the principle of my case – seeing justice – that was most important to me.
“I now hope people who have read my story and are in a similar situation can get the help and support they need.”
Mr Jones started suffering with severe breathlessness following his retirement and was diagnosed with diffuse pleural thickening soon after; an incurable illness which occurs when asbestos fibres start to embed in the lining of the lungs.
He believes that he inhaled the asbestos dust whilst clearing sacks of Flosal as part of his work on the rig. Flosal is a powdered chemical which was later banned as it contained asbestos.
The case could return to court should Mr Jones’ condition deteriorate further.
Shell has so far made no comment on the case.