Widow of 32-year-old Meso Victim Wins Suit

December 18, 2006 - The widow of a 32-year-old British man who developed mesothelioma due to second-hand exposure has succeeded in securing compensation from those responsible for his disease.

The website, Injurywatch.uk, reports that Barry Welch, who died of mesothelioma in April 2005, is believed to have been exposed to asbestos via his stepfather, who came home from work each day with his clothes covered with asbestos dust.  Welch’s stepfather Roger Bugby worked as a scaffolder at Kingsnorth Power Station from 1977 to 1979, said attorneys for Welch’s widow, Claire.  Unaware of any dangers, the young boy would climb onto his stepfather’s lap when he arrived home at the end of the day, therefore breathing in whatever asbestos remained on Bugby’s clothes.

Mr. Welch began his fight for compensation when he was first diagnosed with the disease, which is aggressive and difficult to treat.  Mrs. Welch continued the fight following her husband’s death, which came just 11 months after his initial diagnosis.

During a coroner’s inquest, Dr Clive Muatero, consultant oncologist at Leicester Royal Infirmary, said it "would be reasonable" to assume that the mesothelioma was caused by the childhood asbestos exposure.

"No amount of compensation can make up for the loss of Barry. However, he would have been pleased that we successfully fought for justice on his behalf," Mrs. Welch said in a statement to the media.