Company expose St Alban’s family to asbestos risk

Asbestos has affected thousands of people and damages have run in to the millions of pounds for those who have sought compensation. All in all, asbestos as a legal action has been one of the most significant in the UK, and across the world.

To this day, we are still seeing new cases and stories crop up which is a combination of a lack of knowledge about the locations of asbestos; a lack of safeguarding for buildings where asbestos has been used; and because the symptoms of asbestos related illnesses often take years to appear.

In this recent story, a family of four and two workmen in St Albans were put at risk by a Hertfordshire based home improvement company – Ace of Hearts Home Improvement Limited as they attempted to remove asbestos containing material from the domestic property improperly.

Soffits that surrounded the underside of guttering at both the back and front of the house containing asbestos had not been dismantled safely. This meant that the family and workers were put at risk of exposure to asbestos fibres.

In case you’re not aware, asbestos is usually fairly harmless until it is disturbed. It is the disturbed fibres that can cause serious damage to your health.

Asbestos was used in a lot of building projects and automotive parts throughout the last few decades. Thousands of workers are killed each year – an average of some 20 trades people per week. Asbestos related injuries are still common today with it being used in building materials even up to the year 2000.

When material that contains asbestos is damaged it can become very dangerous. As fibres are released into the air they can be inhaled and stick to the person’s lungs. This can cause serious damage to a person’s lungs as well as life threatening diseases. It does not affect people straight away, so once it has been diagnosed, it is generally too late.

Asbestos can cause:

Health and Safety Executive investigation in to this incident

It was discovered that the company Ace of Hearts Home Improvements Limited were not licensed to remove asbestos. The company was fined £100,000 and ordered to pay £2,118.50 in costs.

Can I claim?

Asbestos claims have increased over the years against employers. If you have been exposed to asbestos you might be able to make a claim for compensation. Our Group Action Lawyers specialise in large action medical claims and have been dealing with high profile group cases for years. We urge you to contact us if you think you have a claim and we can get you the compensation that you deserve.

Source: www.gov.uk/2016/company-expose-family-to-risk-of-asbestos