Millions of pounds unclaimed in compensation for Wigan asbestos factory illness and deaths

Turner and Newall went into administration in 2001 after being financially crippled by legal claims against it as a result of hundreds of workers being exposed to asbestos while working in its factories.

It was also banned from producing or importing asbestos by the European Union.

A £100m compensation scheme was established by the administrators for workers who were exposed to the substance while working for the company, which had factories in Hindley Green and Rochdale.

At various times in its existence, the business in Leigh Road was also called Turner Brothers Asbestos and TBA Belting.

Wigan-based national law firm Stephensons is now urging families who think they may be affected to come forward to claim the compensation.

Exposure to asbestos can lead to serious lung diseases such as mesothelioma – which can be potentially fatal, often several decades after exposure to asbestos.

A significant amount of the compensation has already been claimed but millions still remains to be claimed by former workers or their families.

Case Study – Wigan family awarded £93,000 following mother’s death

Susan Bellamy (not her real name) worked for Turner Brothers Asbestos Company between 1965 and 1971 in Hindley Green, Wigan.

She worked as a winder in the factor where a lot of asbestos was present and worked closely with the people weaving asbestos, which caused a large amount of dust.

She also had to clean her machine with a hand brush, and this meant brushing out asbestos dust which then got into the atmosphere and inhaled. Throughout her time working there she was unaware of the dangers of working with asbestos.

From 2015 Mrs Bellamy became breathless and her condition gradually deteriorated. By 2017 she was only able to walk 50 yards. In May 2017 she was diagnosed with mesothelioma.

Her breathlessness worsened, she developed pain, fatigue and increasing physical weakness. She had to be admitted to a hospice as she had become severely disabled and required personal care.

In November 2018, Mrs Bellamy sadly passed away at the age of 85. Her cause of death was given as mesothelioma, asbestosis and asbestos exposure with a conclusion of industrial disease.

Stephensons assisted Mrs Bellamy’s family to apply to the T and N Asbestos Trustee Company’s compensation scheme. A medical expert confirmed that on the balance of probabilities, Mrs Bellamy’s exposure to asbestos whilst working for the Turner Brothers Asbestos Company Limited was sufficient to materially increase her risk of developing mesothelioma.

Mrs Bellamy’s family were awarded just over £93,000 in compensation.

Mrs Bellamy’s son Jack (also not his real name), said: “It was incredibly difficult to watch my mother’s condition deteriorate as it did. Had she known the risk she was exposing herself to all those years ago, she more than likely would not have done so.

“It’s worrying to think how many others may have been exposed in the same way and that some of them and their families may never have made the connection with Turner and Newall.