A caretaker and decorator have been awarded a total of £430,000 in compensation after being exposed to asbestos fibres in the former Clwyd County Council area.
A freedom of information request revealed the level of exposure, according to reports.
However, there are fears that this is only the tip of the iceberg, as it’s estimated that hundreds more people in the region and elsewhere in Wales are suffering with asbestosis or mesothelioma.
Flintshire Council was asked to pay out compensation to the workers on behalf of the former Clwyd County Council area, which also included Denbighshire and Wrexham.
Since 2010 there have been two recorded cases of asbestos exposure in the Clwyd County Council area.
In the year 2012/13, a painter and decorator was awarded £256,000 after being exposed to the potentially deadly substance whilst working on council buildings.
Then last year, a further £181,000 was awarded to the caretaker who was exposed in his job at a local school. No details were revealed with regards to when or where the exposures had taken place.
There have been no cases recorded in the counties of North West Wales since 2010.
Flintshire Council told local newspaper the Daily Post: “The very nature of asbestos related illnesses means that the original exposure to asbestos dust/fibres will have occurred many years ago (typically 25 to 30 years).
“There have been two insurance claims received by Flintshire resulting in payments during the past five years.
“Both claims are in respect of people who worked for the former Clwyd County Council and both claims have been paid by the insurers on risk at the time of the exposure.
“Flintshire is involved only because of its role as the lead authority for dealing with the administration of outstanding liabilities of the former Clwyd County Council.”
If you or a member of your family has suffered as a result of asbestos exposure at work, you may too be entitled to make a claim for compensation. If you’d like to speak to a member of our team, please give us a call on 0800 028 2060 or contact us online here. You can also request a call at a time convenient for you here.