RMT WINS FOR MEMBERS

SHIPPING MEMBER WINS ASBESTOS CLAIM A Yorkshire-based RMT member exposed to asbestos in his workplace over a 25 year period and went on to develop the asbestos related disease Mesothelioma, has been awarded over £143,000 compensation against his employer. The member, who was in the Merchant Navy for his entire career, was exposed to asbestos when lagging was removed from pipes and repairs had to be carried out by engineers. The ship had lagged steam pipes which ran from the engine rooms and boiler rooms all over the ship, through the alleyways, and into the cabins. The steam pipes also went into all the working rooms, including the Galley where he worked. When the lagging was removed, it would create a haze of dust around the area where the repair was being carried out. It was during the annual dry docking that the member believed he suffered the most exposure to asbestos. When the ship came in to dry dock various trades would carry out repairs and the ship was extremely dusty during that period. The member remained on ship during that time, carrying out his duties. At the end of the period he was also involved in sweeping up the dusty ship. It was open knowledge that asbestos was in use on the ship but at the time the workers were unaware of the health dangers that it posed. After the member contracted Mesothelioma and sought compensation, the company’s insurers refused to negotiate a settlement, so it was necessary for the union’s lawyers to commence court proceedings. As a result the member was awarded £143,873. Helen Tomlin, asbestos team supervisor for Yorkshire region at Thompsons, was the solicitor who dealt with the case. Ms Tomlin said that Mesothelioma was a devastating terminal disease caused by exposure to asbestos. “This was a particularly difficult case and I would like to thank the union for supporting the member throughout its duration. “I am pleased that we got a settlement within the member’s lifetime for him and his family and also to show that employers can be held to account,” she said. HGV DRIVER INJURED BY OVERSTACKING AN HGV driver in Northampton received £12,000 in compensation after suffering strain injuries due to his lorry being regularly overstacked. Night workers would invariably improperly stack or stack the contents of his lorry too high resulting in the contents falling over on the way to the store. This meant that the member had to lift and manoeuvre boxes when he reached his destination. As a result the member suffered strain injury to his neck and severe headaches over a period of time, leading to psychological injuries. RMT lawyers commenced court proceedings against the employer’s insurers after they refused to negotiate a settlement. As a result the member was awarded £12,000. RAIL MAINTENANCE WORKER WIN COMPENSATION An RMT rail maintenance worker was injured while carrying out routine maintenance on the railway at Wintersett, Wakefield. As he was walking up the side cess the cover on the drain catch collapsed and his left leg fell into it, causing him an injury in the process. After negotiations with the employer the member was awarded £2,600. MEMBER COMPENSATED AFTER FALL A London Underground fleet maintenance worker was injured at Hammersmith Depot while working for Metronet. The union member slipped on some grease on access steps while he was entering a road pit. He fell approximately 5 foot, receiving injuries to his head, leg and back. Metronet’s insurers refused to negotiate a settlement so RMT lawyers commenced court proceedings. As a result the member was awarded £10,000. MEMBER AWARDED £62,000 A Cumbrian rail worker was injured when he slipped while changing insulators on an overhead line. As he was working on the line the Acrow jack slipped, causing him to fall and break his leg. The union member was awarded £65,000 as result of court proceedings initiated by RMT lawyers when the other side’s insurers refused to negotiate a settlement. RMT WINS FOR MEMBERS RMT takes up members’ legal cases free of charge, and, unlike commercial “no win/no fee” solicitors, takes no commission on successful claims. KILLER: Protesters outside the House of Lords demand compensation for deaths from asbestos related cancer RMT helpline 0800 3763706 :: february 2010 :: RMTnews 21