By Safira Ali

Last updated 14:03, Thursday, 14 August 2008

THE widow of a former BNFL employee has won a six figure sum in compensation after her husband died from asbestos-related disease.

Tragedy: Ronald Rumney died from an asbestos-related disease decades after working with asbestos at Sellafield

Ronald Rumney, 71, of Egremont, died from malignant mesothelioma, a cancer of the tissues surrounding his lungs or abdomen last year.

He developed the related cancer after being exposed to the dust while working as an electrician for BNFL at Sellafield.

Mr Rumney worked for BNFL for 40 years after training to be an electrician with the company between 1952 and 1957. He returned to work at Sellafield in 1960 until he retired in 1994.

He then developed muscle pain, malaise, breathlessness and weakness in March 2007, and underwent painful investigations before he was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma.

Mr Rumney, who left behind four children, four grandchildren and a great granddaughter, suffered great anguish when he was told the diagnosis, and that the disease was caused by past asbestos exposure.

His condition deteriorated rapidly, and he died on May 8 2007, twelve and a half years earlier than he should have done, the High Court writ said.

His wife Norma, of Windrigg Close, instructed asbestos claims experts Thompsons Solicitors to take up the claim.

Norma, who also worked at Sellafield as a researcher and was married to Ronald for 50 years, said he would be satisfied the case has now been settled.

She said: “When Ronald was told he had mesothelioma and had only weeks to live we were devastated. He knew he had been exposed to asbestos at Sellafield and was determined that justice be done.

“Unfortunately his tumour was so aggressive he died shortly afterwards and I vowed to continue the fight.

“Before Ronald was diagnosed he was a fit and healthy man and enjoyed life to the full. We thought he had flu; mesothelioma was the last thing we expected.

“He lived only three weeks after diagnosis. I am still trying to come to terms with it.

“Ronald would have been very satisfied with the result. He wanted to make sure BNFL took responsibility for his condition. He felt very strongly about that.

“I’d like to thank all of his colleagues who came forward as witnesses to help us with the case. They helped prove how Ronald was exposed to asbestos at Sellafield.”

A Sellafield spokesman said: “Tighter controls on the use of asbestos first came into operation in the late 1960s, and at Sellafield guidelines on working with asbestos were in place.

“However, asbestos was used regularly at the site in the 1950s, and the extent of its dangers have only become known fairly recently. This has left a legacy for Sellafield, and the many other industries in which it was commonly used historically.

“While it would not be appropriate for us to comment on an individual case, we do sympathise with anyone who has suffered from an asbestos related illness.”