May 22nd, 2007

A man from the UK has won nearly one million pounds (nearly two million dollars) in damages after he was diagnosed with the asbestos related cancer, mesothelioma. Fifty-nine year-old Raymond Shanks, a grandfather, is from Tyneside in England. The award is said to be one of the biggest of its kind in England.

Mr. Shanks was diagnosed with the cancer in 2055, shortly after his twenty-eight year-old son died from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The grandfather has been supporting his two grandchildren since his son – their father – died.

Mr. Shanks worked as an electrician for a four year period from 1965 for the Swan Hunter Group's Wallsend Shipyard. He was actually diagnosed with the cancer in Australia, where he had retired in 1982 with his wife and family. However, after his diagnosis in 2005 he returned to the UK.

After suing the Swan Hunter Group Mr. Shanks, who is not expected to live beyond 2009, was awarded £948,565 GBP for pain and suffering, medical expenses, relocation costs, and loss of earnings.