A Sheffield man, 38, has received £20,000 as an out of court settlement after contracting legionnaires disease when working for Sheffield fencing manufacturer, Estate Wire at their site on Birley Vale Close.
His solicitor at Wake Smith & Tofields is now urging businesses in South Yorkshire to fully appreciate their responsibilities after the hearing also highlighted two other potential victims who are thought to have been affected by the disease.
The man affected worked at Estate Wire in 2005 for just three weeks before coming down with symptoms. He was subcontracted to work at Estate Wire (Arcellormittal Sheffield Limited) where he contracted legionnaires disease.
A five day fever, chest pains and other flu symptoms had the gentleman bed bound for weeks and unable to work.
In a HSE report two other potential cases of legionnaires were identified; both were found to be neighbours of the factory. One is thought to be a 79 year old man who resided, at the time, on Birley Vale Avenue and the second a 48 year old from a nearby road, who suffered blurred vision, nausea and headaches.
Martin Harvey, Partner at Wake Smith & Tofields said; "There is a lack of awareness of legionnaires disease and knowledge of the symptoms is worse still. Given the industrial background to the city and the number of factories in operation today, many with cooling towers installed, it is imperative that awareness is improved.
"Legionnaires disease is regularly associated with dodgy timeshares in Spain but the worrying reality is that it is also a disease which is right on our doorstep in South Yorkshire, as this case proves."
The case accused Estate Wire of breaching their responsibilities to adequately control employees against exposure to hazardous substances. An out of court agreement has now been made: Estate Wire have paid the damages and the gentleman's legal fees in full.
Anyone concerned about legionnaires disease should contact the Industrial Diseases team at Wake Smith at [email protected] or call 0114 266 6660.
