A court in Madrid has ordered Uralita, a Spanish construction materials firm, to pay just under 4 million Euros to local residents who became ill following exposure to asbestos.

This landmark decision is the first of its kind in Spain. Compensation has been awarded to workers but never to members of the public who were exposed to asbestos as a result of living close to industrial sites.

The factory in Barcelona produced cement and compensation has now been awarded to 45 local residents.

This case is extremely similar to June Hancock’s legal battle here in the UK against Turner & Newall. June had lived close to the JW Roberts factory in Armley and contracted mesothelioma as a result of exposure to asbestos used at the factory.

I represented June in her case and her commitment to taking on a huge multinational company remains an inspiration to me. I’m pleased to see those who have suffered in similar circumstances in Spain have been awarded compensation.