A former painter and decorator recently received an undisclosed substantial sum in compensation after developing an asbestos-related disease.

Stephen McKeown, 64, from the Wirral was diagnosed with the asbestos-related condition pleural thickening in 2007. Pleural thickening can be caused by asbestos leaving sufferers breathless and unable to carry out everyday tasks.

Stephen, who is married with two sons and three grandchildren, was exposed to asbestos working as a painter and decorator for Lever Brothers, now known as Unilevers, between 1962 and 1966 and again from 1970 to 2002. He served his apprenticeship at the Port Sunlight plant and worked as a maintenance painter alongside laggers removing asbestos. He was also exposed to asbestos between 1968 and 1970 working as a shipyard painter for Cammell Laird.

According to his lawyers, Thompsons, during both jobs he was never warned about the dangers of asbestos and was not given any protection.

Following his diagnosis, he contacted Merseyside Asbestos Victims Support Group (MAVSG) and approached asbestos claims experts Thompsons Solicitors for legal advice. Thompsons successfully proved legal liability against both employers and settled the claim out of court