Pay-out for asbestos death family

The family of a former railway worker who died from asbestos-related cancer has won a pay-out of almost £100,000.

Dudley Maasz was exposed to the deadly material while working for Great Western Railways in Oxford in the 1940s, the family's solicitor said.

He was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2005 and died in July 2006 aged 74.

BRB (Residuary) Limited, formerly British Rail, agreed to settle the claim out of court and pay the family £98,000 plus costs.

'Outgoing chap'

After he left Great Western Railways, Mr Maasz worked at Oxford University Press in Walton Street and then for Morris Motors in Cowley.

The family's solicitor, Brigitte Chandler of Wantage law firm Charles Lucas & Marshall, brought the claim against BRB (Residuary) Limited, the name given for British Rail.

"We were able to establish that Mr Maasz death was caused by asbestos during his employment at the Oxford works," said Brigitte Chandler.

"Boilers of locomotives were coated with thick asbestos and asbestos was also used over the pipes and cylinders of the engines.

"As a cleaner and fireman, Mr Maasz would have been exposed to this."

Norman Maasz said his brother was in a lot of pain before his death

Mr Maasz's older brother Norman, who lives in Kidlington, described him as an "outgoing, friendly chap".

He said about four years ago his brother began complaining of pain in his side and shoulder, he was later diagnosed with mesothelioma.

"He used to sleep a lot, the pain got worse and worse and eventually he was in bed most of the time," Norman said.

"One day I looked at him and thought - my goodness - he was half the size, he'd been eaten away, I felt so sorry for him."

No one from BRB was available for comment.