A dad who is battling cancer claims it was caused by exposure to chemicals while working in the photography industry.
John Morgan, 69, worked in the synthetic chemicals department at the Kodak factory in Kirkby between 1969 and 1986. Now, following a battle with his former employer the granddad has received a five-figure payout after he was diagnosed with bladder cancer.
John started as an apprentice when he was just 16, before becoming responsible for assisting in the production of large batches of chemicals. He said he had always lived an active and healthy life and enjoyed playing football and cricket, seeing friends and family and travelling overseas.
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The dad-of-two and granddad-of-four battled prostate cancer in 2008. But in 2017 he noted a number of worrying symptoms which suggested the cancer may have returned.
A cystoscopy at Aintree Hospital revealed he was suffering from multiple tumours on his bladder - a condition he later learned can be linked to exposure to carcinogenic materials. An investigation into his work history by industrial disease specialists Simpson Millar said there was a possible link between his cancer to his time at Kodak.
John said it was "extremely hard" to come to terms with the knowledge that more could have been done to protect him. He said: “I spent much of my working life at Kodak, and I really enjoyed both my job, and spending time with my colleagues.
"It’s therefore extremely hard to come to terms with. I remember being given PPE, and we received training on when to wear what, but it wasn’t always the right gear for the job, and it didn’t always protect us."
Following a compensation claim, Kodak accepted John had been exposed to the chemicals at work. But they disputed it was the exposure to the carcinogenic chemicals had caused the cancer.
Following advice from a urologist and an oncologist who supported John and Simpson Millar in a claim, Kodak's insurers agreed to settle out of court. John has since received £45,000 from Kodak.
John added: “The ongoing treatment that I receive as a result of the cancer impacts my life hugely, and the lives of my loved ones. My wife and I loved to travel, but now we are far more limited on where we can go and for how long.
"I hope by speaking out about my experience others who may find themselves in a similar boat know that it is possible to hold their ex-employers to account."
Kirstie Bork, an Industrial Disease specialist solicitor at Simpson Millar who represented John in his battle for answers, said: “Bladder cancer is a terrible disease which causes a lot of discomfort, and the symptoms will likely affect Mr Morgan in some way or another for the rest of his life.
“He is delighted to have now brought the matter to a close and is hoping that by speaking out others will also know that there is help out there. The compensation he has received will of course never make up for the pain and suffering he has endured, but it will provide some financial peace of mind for the future.”
Ms Bork added: “Work-related ill health and occupational disease affects hundreds of thousands of people in the UK. According to the HSE, there are around 12,000 lung disease deaths every year that are linked to past exposures at work, and around 1.7 million workers are suffering from work-related ill health.
“It is imperative that lessons are learnt from cases such as Mr Morgan’s, so that other workers are protected and do not have to suffer unnecessarily in the future.”
The ECHO approached Kodak for comment.
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