Man seeks payout after mesothelioma diagnosis

A man who was recently diagnosed with the asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma is seeking compensation.

Steven Barford began suffering from breathing difficulties in July last year and was subsequently told he had two years to live, the Derby Evening Telegraph reports.

The 54-year-old is appealing for his former workmates at British Celanese, now Celanese Acetate, to come forward and give information about the conditions they were exposed to.

According to Mr Barford, he was given gloves but no other clothing or protection when he was employed by the company as a pipe fitter's mate, a role which involved taking asbestos lagging off pipes.

He commented: "There's an urgency about the claim because I don't know how long I've got."

If Mr Barford is successful in his claim, he says he will divide the money between his daughter and two sons.

A condition that affects the lining of the lungs or abdomen, mesothelioma affects around five times as many men as it does women.