UK Widow Awarded Settlement in Mesothelioma Death

Evening Courier
February 5, 2007

THE widow of a man who was robbed of nine years of his life after being exposed to asbestos has won a substantial five-figure payout from Calderdale Council.

John Michael Holdsworth died aged 71 in June 2006 from mesothelioma and was employed by the authority between 1969 and 1989.

As a maintenance engineer he worked at swimming pools across Calderdale where asbestos was present on boilers and pipes.

He and his colleagues removed asbestos but were not adequately protected from the killer dust by their employer.

Calderdale Council admitted exposing Mr Holdsworth to asbestos and agreed an out-of-court settlement last month with his widow Ariel Holdsworth.

Medical evidence suggested if he had not died from the disease he would have lived a further nine years.

It is not known how many former council employees are at risk and Mrs Holdsworth, 64, who used to handle her husband's workclothes, has the constant worry of not knowing if she will become another victim.

"His overalls were covered in dust and it is a worry," she said.

"You just don't know. It can be years before it strikes as Michael's case proved.

"I brought the case because I felt somebody had to own up and say 'yes, it was our fault'.

"Asbestos is a killer but the workers didn't know that."

Mr Holdsworth developed flu symptoms in December 2004 and gradually deteriorated, and while mesothelioma was suspected he was not given a definitive diagnosis. An inquest concluded he died from the disease.

Mr and Mrs Holdsworth used to live in Rastrick and she still attends Field Lane Community Centre, where she is a life president and Mr Holdsworth was treasurer.

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