A former car mechanic from Pudsey, West Yorkshire has secured a significant compensation package from two of his former employers after being diagnosed with a disease caused by asbestos.

Jim Kell, now 66, was diagnosed with mesothelioma at 63, a rare and aggressive condition linked to asbestos exposure. He enlisted specialist solicitors at Irwin Mitchell to investigate how he had come into contact with the harmful material during his working years.

The legal team has now concluded a settlement with two previous employers, though neither admitted liability.

The retired technician described his diagnosis as the worst day of his life, saying everything changed instantaneously. He acknowledged that maintaining a cheerful attitude has helped him cope with the condition. He added that despite enduring surgery and treatment, he considers himself lucky to still be alive and with his family, recognising that others in comparable circumstances have not been as fortunate.

He and his wife Bernadette, who is 55, are now dedicated to warning others about the persistent threat posed by asbestos.

Following his diagnosis, Jim received help from the Yorkshire and Humberside Asbestos Support Group, known as SARAG, and from Mesothelioma UK.

Nicola Handley, a specialist solicitor managing asbestos disease claims at Irwin Mitchell, explained that Jim’s case demonstrates the terrible effects of asbestos, noting that the damage often only becomes apparent many years after someone first encountered the material. She expressed satisfaction that the settlement would provide some security for Jim and his family during this difficult time.

The disease is believed to have stemmed from his early career, which began at a scrapyard and dismantling operation before moving on to vehicle work in Leeds during the 1970s and 1980s, and later to maintenance of military vehicles extending into the 1990s. He regularly worked on brakes and clutches, both of which commonly contained asbestos during that period.

Asbestos was outlawed in the United Kingdom in 1999.

Jim received his diagnosis in March 2023 and underwent an operation to remove part of his right lung, followed by twelve months of immunotherapy treatment.

The illness forced him to stop working, placing considerable financial strain on his household.

Jim expressed hope that by telling his story, he could help illustrate how dangerous asbestos continues to be, and that future generations would benefit from lessons learned from past mistakes.