Following the largest known outbreak of occupational lung disease in the world, MG Rover has paid work injury compensation to a group of 79 former employees who brought personal injury claims for compensation.
The former employees are said to have contracted the disease through fluids used during metalworking at Powertrain Ltd, a subdivision of MG Rover responsible for building engines. The fluids lead to breathing problems for many workers at the Longbridge plant.
The disease was first discovered in 2004, and was shown to affect about 12% of the workforce.
The victory for the former workers follows a seven-year-long battle for personal injury compensation. The 79 workers who brought claims for compensation have agreed to an out-of-court settlement worth around £1m in total. Individual settlements ranged from £500 to £180,000 for the claimants.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) between 2004 and 2006 showed that the alveolitis disease was caused by mist from metalworking fluids which had not been maintained sufficiently, allowing the build-up and continued growth of bacteria and other potentially harmful substances. For years employees had complained about the levels of mist and a stinking “ammonia-type” smell.
Noel Davis a Former employee told the BBC that they put them right in the midst of the mist, and that’s what caused him to have asthma. Mr Davis said, he felt his employers put them in harm’s way.”
If you have suffered illness or disease at work as a result of your employers exposing you to hazardous substances in your workplace, you may be entitled to personal injury compensation.