Waiting Andy Burnham quote

By Teri Jones

FAMILIES of asbestos victims have won a ruling enabling them to claim compensation.

Sufferers of the asbestos related cancer -- malignant mesothelioma -- who worked with toxic dust at more than one workplace had to prove which had caused the illness before compensation could be paid.

In a ground-breaking verdict, the original Fairchild case ruling was overturned in the House of Lords last Thursday, opening the way for thousands of families to claim compensation for their loved ones. It has been estimated claims could total £8 billion.

Patricia Topping, of Pennington Road in Leigh, is among those affected by the new decision. She and her four children have been fighting for compensation for her husband Dennis, who died in November last year having been diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma in 1997.

Dennis, who was 65 when he died, was a boilerman and during his career had worked at industrial giants -- Turner Brothers and Courtaulds. Both jobs involved contact with asbestos, which doctors believe is likely to have led to the later development of cancer.

Following this ruling the family will be entitled to compensation for Dennis' death without having to prove which workplace was to blame.

Mrs Topping said: "Although we are glad about this ruling it still doesn't help Dennis now, he could have done with that money when he was living. It's a win and it's not. My daughter believes it was like he was murdered."

Anyone concerned about compensation entitlement should contact the Greater Manchester Asbestos Victims Support Group on 0161 953 4037.