July 18th, 2007

A man from the UK has won compensation of over one hundred thousand pounds (over two hundred thousand dollars) after developing cancer as a result of exposure to asbestos. The man, sixty-seven year-old Ken McDonald, was awarded the money after being diagnosed with mesothelioma, a form of cancer directly linked to asbestos exposure.

McDonald worked at a shipyard in the Barrow area in the UK in the 1960s, and according to reports this is where he was exposed to the deadly carcinogenic. He worked as an electrician's assistant, and was working on the UK's first nuclear submarine.

After being awarded the compensation McDonald stated: "I am relieved to have received this compensation but I would rather have my health back. At least now I know that my wife and family will be provided for. I'm hoping I'm going to live a little bit longer than they said I'm going to."

He also added: "When I was diagnosed with mesothelioma I was not surprised but it was a tremendous shock. Usually when you're diagnosed with this illness they give you between two and twelve months. You've just got to get on with it and take each day as it comes."