March 2nd, 2007

A widow from County Durham has been awarded compensation of ninety thousand GBP for the loss of her husband to an asbestos related disease. Arthur Haslam passed away in 2004 at the age of eighty-six. He died from a form of cancer known as mesothelioma, which is directly linked to exposure to airborne asbestos dust and fibers, and can affect the lungs, heart, or abdominal cavities.

The decedent’s widow, May Haslam, aged eighty-five, was pleased about the award, which she won after filing a lawsuit through a firm of solicitors in the UK. She stated: "The amount is far more than I dreamt I would ever receive. However, no amount of money can adequately compensate for the loss of my husband or what he had to endure. Arthur had been an active man until he began to suffer nasty chest problems in 2003. His sudden death was very painful and traumatic."

Mr. Haslam worked for an aircraft manufacturer called AV Roe when he was exposed to the deadly asbestos, a known carcinogenic that can also result in a range of other serious health problems. As part of the case a number of his former colleagues testified and provided witness statements.

Mrs. Haslam added: "I'm grateful to the help from my husband's former workmates. Their support was invaluable. They came forward with vital evidence that enabled us to prove that Arthur's death was linked to asbestos exposure. This would've supported the claim had it gone to court."