THE FAMILY of a man who died from asbestos exposure while building houses in Penhill has received £122,500 in compensation from two building companies.

Lifelong bricklayer Frederick Dodson of Westwood Road developed mesothelioma, an asbestos related cancer, in 2011 after years of involvement in the construction of homes and factories across Swindon.

He died in April 2013 at the age of 84 as a result of the disease, which was caused by ongoing exposure to the material during his working life.

While Melvyn Dodson, the sixth of Frederick’s seven children, said he welcomed the success of the compensation claim, it would never be adequate compensation for his father’s death.

“It doesn’t repay the loss of my dad,” he said. “I think he always believed that it was curable, but of course it isn’t.

“He had wanted to work until he was 99. He did manage to keep working until he was 83.

“It’s hard to explain because I am pleased the case was won, mainly because it would have made him happy. Once he was diagnosed he just really wanted to make people aware of it and encourage more people to come forward.

“It can’t ever replace what we lost.”

Frederick worked for Hawksley Construction of Hucclecote, Gloucestershire, whose main contract was to build the Penhill housing estate in Swindon - including his own home.

Hundreds of these properties were built using pre-constructed asbestos walls, and construction also involved putting asbestos rope around chimneys. Asbestos was released into the atmosphere when pre-existing asbestos walls were cut.

Later, he went to work for Wilcon Construction, building the Plessey Factory in Cheney Manor Industrial Estate, where again he was exposed to asbestos.

The family’s solicitor, Brigitte Chandler, a leading industrial disease lawyer and partner with Swindon law firm, Charles Lucas & Marshall, who has represented hundreds of people suffering from asbestos exposure over the last 30 years, helped the family win the case.

“Unfortunately all types of asbestos was regularly used in the building industry in the 1950s and 1960s when Mr Dodson was working as a builder,” she said.

“People who worked with asbestos and who develop symptoms should seek urgent medical advice.”

During his work Frederick was given no masks or protective clothing.

“At the Plessey factory at Cheney Manor, the factory was heated with steam pipes lagged with asbestos,” said Brigitte.

“The roof and walls outside also had asbestos sheets. Roofing contractors would cut the sheets as Mr Dodson was working nearby. Again, he never received any masks, warnings or protective clothing.”

Swindon and South West Asbestos Group is a regional charity which provides support groups and a free advice service to people suffering from asbestos disease and their families.

For more details and to find out how they could support you, call Swindon and South West Asbestos Group, call 01793 532995 or email info@asbestosgroup.co.uk or visit www.asbestosgroup.co.uk.