Mesothelioma widow, June Bickle of the UK, has been awarded compensation by the High Court in a case against the company Filtrona. Her husband, Alan Bickle died on January 30, 2009 after developing mesothelioma from work related asbestos exposure. Alan Bickle was employed for some thirty years by Fitrona, a manufacturer of cigarette filters, as a turner and grinder in their Jarrow factory.

June and Alan met in a Newcastle nightclub ten years ago. They enjoyed many years together before marrying in June of 2008 after Alan was diagnosed with mesothelioma. Alan died at 58 in Saint Claire’s Hospice, Jarrow. “Alan was simply the best,” says June, “What made it worse is that Alan is thought to be the only employee at Filtrona to die of mesothelioma. The asbestos had lain dormant in his lungs for years. It’s all so cruel.”

Mesothelioma is one of the many fatal and chronic conditions caused by asbestos. Inhaled asbestos fibers begin a cancerous mutation in the cells of the lung lining and lining of other major abdominal cavities. As in Alan Bickle’s case, signs and symptoms may take decades to develop in the patient’s body. The prognosis is much shorter, however, averaging eighteen months after diagnosis.

Initially Filtrona denied that Alan Bickle had been exposed to asbestos at their Bede Industrial Estate factory. Asbestos was proved the cause of his mesothelioma and death by a coroner’s inquest. Filtrona dropped their denial just before a High Court hearing.

June Bickle has received a ₤50,000 interim payment until the High Court decides on full payment. “This was never about the money,” said June “It’s important that the use of asbestos is highlighted. The company denied it, and that made me really mad.”

Newcastle solicitors Irwin Mitchell managed the case. Their associate and industrial illness specialist Roger Maddocks said, “We have been able to negotiate a settlement for Mrs. Bickle, but this case has never been about the money for her. She simply wanted to prove that her husband was taken from her because he was negligently exposed to asbestos while at work.”

The use of asbestos in the workplace continues around the world, particularly in developing countries. The World Health Organization estimated 90,000 cases of mesothelioma worldwide in 2009. With the number of asbestos related diseases on the rise globally, Filtrona’s example could be just one of the many to come.