Many people believe that airline pilots only need to fear plane crashes and terrorist attacks, but that may not always be the case. A British Airways pilot who had died due to ill health reportedly claimed before his death that his ailment was caused by toxic fumes that entered his cockpit.
In a Daily Mail news report, the pilot has been identified as Richard Westgate. His twin brother, Guy Westgate, alleges the doctors were unable to cure and treat his sick brother properly because they didn’t believe his account of toxic fumes.
The Story of the Accident
Richard died in 2012 at the age of 43. Before his passing, he suffered from various symptoms, including mental confusion and insomnia. He also had vision problems and severe headaches. According to his twin brother Guy who is also a BA pilot, Richard worked with scientists to find out if his medical issues involved toxic chemical exposure aboard the airplanes he piloted.
Richard believed that his medical condition was caused by toxic cabin air, as he spent much of his time in airplane cabins. Even before his passing, Richard told his lawyers to file suit against BA for health and safety violations.
In response, BA has denied these claims and has issued a statement that the BA passengers and crew remain safe from toxic fumes. The coroner has also issued a statement saying that there will be no more further investigations on this death. This was an aviation accident that was pretty serious causing an investigation.
Have You Been Subjected to Toxic Fumes?
If you have any reason to believe that you have been exposed to toxic substances in your workplace, the first person you need to consult is your doctor. Your doctor can examine you to see if there’s any evidence to support your suspicions. A good doctor can usually definitively determine if your physical conditions have been caused by toxic or chemical exposure.
If your doctor confirms your assertion that toxic exposure did cause your ill health, you may be referred to a specialist in toxic exposure.
Your next step is to report this to your employer as quickly as possible. Your employer may then take steps to discover the cause of the toxic exposure so that other workers won’t be in danger anymore. You may also be able to file a workers’ compensation claim, so that you can get financial assistance to help cover your medical expenses and lost wages.
Legal Options
You may also want to consult with a personal injury lawyer who specializes in toxic exposure cases. In a few cases, you may have to file a claim against a third party (other than your employer) who may have acted negligently to cause the toxic exposure.
Your San Diego personal injury lawyer may offer a free consultation and together you can explore all your rights and legal options. Any settlement or damages you get as a result of a civil suit can also help with your medical expenses.
Personal Injury Lawyers San Diego
1081 Camino Del Rio S. #111, San Diego, CA, 92108
619 880 2407