Lancashire boarding school fined 100K for industrial disease

A Lancashire boarding school has been forced to pay £100,000 to a stone mason who developed Silicosis after working at the impressive site for 12 years.

Stonyhurst College near Clitheroe was originally founded in 1593 and its annual boarding fees for UK and students from abroad top the £30,000 per annum mark.

When the 55 year old stone mason from West Derby began working on the ancient 200 year old college building in 1999 he was an active man tasked with the job of repairing and weatherproofing the walls.

By June 2011, the grandfather had been diagnosed with the serious lung condition and in a further blow, was made redundant by Stonyhurst just four months later.

Preston Crown Court heard from the Health and Safety Executive that the man was exposed to silica dust from the stones he worked with.  His exposure to the dust may have been up to '80 times more than the daily limit' according to a BBC News report.

Although the school has admitted a health and safety breach and are remorseful, the stonemason now struggles to play with his own grandchildren and will suffer breathing difficulties for the rest of his life it is reported.

Stonyhurst has issued a statement saying, "It has indicated its remorse in open court.  We have accepted the judgement of the court".

If you think you have suffered at the hands of an industrial disease and need our support to make a claim, call our lawyers now on 0845 603 0708.

Industrial disease specialists

Hyde & Tameside Solicitors