Falmouth Docks - Asbestosis

Falmouth Docks & Asbestosis

The Falmouth Docks company was founded in the mid 19th Century and since then they have played a huge part in Falmouth’s economy, continuing right until the present day. Although important right from the outset, the size and prominence of Falmouth docks grew rapidly during the First World War and their expansion continued long after the war had ended.

In the 21st Century Falmouth continues to be a major part of the local economy and the national maritime industry, it is now the largest ship repair complex in the entire UK – a proud boast indeed for a country with such a rich seafaring history.

However, while much of Falmouth docks history is one of success and prosperity, it has also left a far darker legacy for some of the men and women who helped forge its success. Ship repair and asbestos almost went hand in hand as recently as the 1980’s and 1990’s due to the minerals outstanding insulation and fire resistant properties – it was almost too good to be true in terms of its usefulness and sadly that is exactly how things have unfolded as the health risks of asbestos exposure have become fully known.

While each case must be assessed on its own merits, generally speaking if you or someone you know was exposed to asbestos and have developed a chest condition because of it then as long as some or all of your exposure occurred after 1965 you may be entitled to compensation. Although asbestos was widely used after the mid 1960’s, the UK Courts have ruled that by 1965 sufficient evidence and research existed to warn employers of its dangers and place a responsibility on them to protect their workers. Sadly, at Falmouth docks and throughout the UK, very little was done at that time and we are now seeing asbestos related diseases developing as a result.

Contact Russell Worth Solicitors to see if we can help, its free to talk to us and you are under no obligation to pursue a case. Remember, we only ever accept cases on strict no win no fee basis.