A RETIRED maintenance man, who blames his devastating lung cancer on exposure to asbestos at a factory, has launched a High Court damages claim.
Andrew Smith, 64, worked for Johnson and Johnson and its successor Systagenix Wound Management Limited for 40 years between 1970 and 2010.
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He worked as a maintenance fitter at a plant in Earby until 2000 when he transferred to a factory in Gargrave, according to a writ issued by his lawyers.
His legal team says Mr Smith, of Longroyd Road, Earby showed the first signs of malignant mesothelioma in late 2012.
The condition is a cancer of the lining of the lungs, commonly linked to asbestos, and is notorious for being incurable and leaving sufferers in agony.
The writ claims that Mr Smith was exposed to asbestos whilst maintaining factory boilers between 1975 and late 1980s or early 1990s.
He is suing Systagenix, who his lawyers say inherited the responsibilities of Johnson and Johnson following a shift in his employment.
And his legal team says his claim against the company is worth ‘£50,000 or more’.
Systagenix’s defence to the claim was not available from the court and the contents of the writ have yet to be tested in evidence before a judge.
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