A MAN diagnosed with asbestosis after being exposed to the deadly dust while working as a ship breaker in Newport, feels “justice has been done” after lawyers secured a five-figure settlement from a former employer.

Eighty-five year-old Ken Benney was diagnosed in 2011 after suffering right sided back pain and breathlessness that left him requiring daily care.

Mr Benney, from Newport, worked for John Cashmore Limited (now Joseph Gillott and Sons), at Newport’s Old Town Dock, from 1953 to 1965 and 1969 to 1979, being regularly involved in ship breaking, which included burning through and stripping out asbestos lagging on vessels’ pipe work.

Experts at law firm Irwin Mitchell negotiated a £50,000 insurance settlement which will help cover Mr Benney’s care costs.

His former employer did not admit liability.

“We didn’t really think anything of breathing in the dust because we were never told about the dangers or given any safety gear,” said Mr Benney, whose respiratory capacity has been cut by 30 per cent, and is likely to deteriorate further.

“I worked in a number of different roles, some directly involved with breaking ships and others less so, such as moving bits of the ships using a crane.

“No matter what job I did it was hard to not breathe in the asbestos.

“Dust would get everywhere, even in the cabin of the crane.

“The illness has completely changed my life. I am so grateful to have my family around me because I need so much help around the home and feel so anxious about my health.

“The settlement will be a big help, and will help support my family to look after me.

“It does feel like justice has been done.”

Rajni Bharj, industrial illness expert at Irwin Mitchell, said coping with the illness is a big challenge.

He added: “No amount of money can make up for his illness, but the settlement will at least provide him, and his family, with some financial security.”