Family win payout for dad's asbestos-related death

The family of a former Kirklees Council worker who died from cancer caused by exposure to asbestos through his job have received more than £1m in compensation.

Rick Oakes, from York, died in 2024 aged 67, having been diagnosed with mesothelioma two years earlier.

Law firm Irwin Mitchell established the dad-of-four's exposure to asbestos and subsequent illness was linked to his work as a joiner in schools in Kirklees years earlier.

Kirklees Council, which accepted a breach of duty, said it took its health and safety responsibilities "extremely seriously", adding: "Our practices have changed significantly as working practices have evolved."

After raising more than £20,000 for charities Mesothelioma UK, SARAG, St Leonard's Hospice and Marie Curie UK, Rick's widow, Rachel, said she wants to use his case to raise awareness of the dangers of asbestos in public buildings.

"People need to be aware that if they are working in these industries - schools, hospitals, plumbing - that they may be exposed to it, and if they are it's devastating," said the 51-year-old, who described her late husband as her "best friend".

"He worked so, so hard and he was at a time in his life where he was kicking back and enjoying life and it was just taken away."

Rachel said her late husband, who was originally from Heckmondwike, would dust himself down after shifts before taking the bus home, adding: "Little would he have known that all these years later that was going to take his life away.

"It should never have happened."

Irwin Mitchell partner and solicitor Nicola Handley said she had represented teachers, court staff and nurses exposed to asbestos through their work in old buildings.

"A lot of people think that asbestos is a historical problem caused by heavy industry, Rick's case really does prove that's not the case," she said.

"Rick was exposed to asbestos simply by going to work and by going into a public building, to a school, a building some people would have thought was safe."

Rachel added: "I've lost a husband and a best friend, the children have lost their father and since Rick died we've had grand children [and] they are never going to have a Pops."

Kirklees Council said it now adheres to "the highest modern standards of safety in managing and monitoring asbestos in our buildings as part of a robust asbestos management plan".

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.