Family of deceased man allegedly exposed to asbestos settles action for more than €370,000

Judge approves assessment of damages by Personal Injuries Assessment Board

The judge said the widow sought to recover damages against the ESB for the loss of her husband and the claim was made on her own behalf and on behalf of her children and grandchildren. File photograph: Aidan Crawley/The Irish Times
The judge said the widow sought to recover damages against the ESB for the loss of her husband and the claim was made on her own behalf and on behalf of her children and grandchildren. File photograph: Aidan Crawley/The Irish Times

The family of a man who was allegedly exposed to asbestos during the course of his work with the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) and later died has settled a High Court action for more than €370,000.

Co Tipperary publican James Noonan had worked for a time with the ESB and it was claimed that during the course of that employment he had been exposed to asbestos fibres. He later developed cancer and died three years ago aged 69.

In the High Court on Monday, Mr Justice Garrett Simons approved the assessment of damages in the case by the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (Piab).

Mr Noonan’s widow, Patricia Noonan, of Ballingarry, Roscrea, Co Tipperary, had sued the ESB over the death of her husband on June 7th, 2019.

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In an affidavit to the court, Ms Noonan said her husband was a retired employee of the ESB. She claimed that during the course of his employment there he was repeatedly exposed to asbestos fibres that caused him to suffer terminal malignant mesothelioma that caused his death.

Pain in left lung

Mr Noonan was a father of three adult children and had four grandchildren.

It was claimed that he developed a pain in his left lung in August 2018 and he was referred for further investigation. A terminal malignant mesothelioma diagnosis was made and it was her case that Mr Noonan’s lung cancer was related to his alleged previous asbestos exposure from his time working for the ESB.

The judge said Ms Noonan sought to recover damages against the ESB for the loss of her husband and the claim was made on her own behalf and on behalf of her children and grandchildren.