Family sues over asbestos death

Wednesday 15 August 2018

The family of an airport worker who died of asbestosis is suing his former employer, the States of Jersey, Ports of Jersey, and his insurance company for compensation.

Former aircraft engineer Graham Huelin died of mesothelioma on 20 December 2014 aged 79.

He had worked for Air UK at the airport from 1950 until 1966, during which time it's alleged he came into contact with cancer-causing material asbestos present in the roof, walls and drainpipes of the hangar where he worked.

Documents before the Royal Court stated that one of his main jobs was to replace brake pads. But, the papers claim, “in order to change the brake pads the aircrafts would be jacked up and the wheels removed to gain access to the brake units. When the wheels of the aircrafts were removed, dust would be released. The dust would have come from the brake pads which had become worn down.” It’s claimed he wasn’t provided with any protection.

Pictured: Mr Huelin's family say he was frequently in contact with asbestos when he worked at the airport.

Furthermore, the family allege that “the deceased also came into contact with asbestos tape whilst he was employed at Jersey Airport. He was instructed to cut this to size to wrap it around the pipes in the aircraft engines when he was undertaking heavy duty maintenance on the aircrafts. Once again no protection was provided for this task.”

It’s also claimed Mr Huelin was exposed to asbestos in the hangar where he worked. It’s described as having been in a poor condition, and that wind would often blow off sections of the roof showering those below in dust. Although the authorities were aware there was asbestos in the building, they were said to have done nothing to warn workers of potential dangers.

As a result, his family are now seeking compensation for medical expenses, care of the deceased before he died, loss of earnings, and funeral expenses.

Ports of Jersey are the first of the respondents to answer the claims. The authority, which is responsible for managing the airport, says it wasn't set up until 2015 – almost a year after the death of Mr Huelin - and so cannot be held responsible.

The case comes as an e-petition to secure compensation for those afflicted by asbestos-related illnesses has reached 1,000 signatures - enough to get a response from Ministers. If it reaches 5,000, a debate will be held in the States Assembly on the issue.

The petition followed the efforts of Brian Coutanche, a former construction worker suffering from mesothelioma, who raised the profile of the issue locally before passing away last month.

A group called ‘Jersey Asbestos Awareness’ has now been set up by his daughter, Melissa, and campaigner June Summers-Shaw, who lost her husband to the disease in 2012, in order to continue the campaign.