Peter White, 81, has developed malignant mesothelioma, a terminal cancer of the tissues surrounding his lungs or his abdomen, according to a High Court writ.
Now Mr White, of Wrenbury Road, Duston, Northampton, is claiming damages from toy firm Me
ttoy Co Ltd, of Swansea, whom he blames for his condition.
The writ says he developed mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos when he worked for the company as a joiner and maintenance man between 1939 and 1980, apart from a break for National Service.
It says that in the course of his work he removed old asbestos sheets used for office partitions, and used new asbestos sheets to form office partitions, which he cut with a circular saw, and he swept up the debris dry.
He also repaired asbestos roofs, by replacing old corrugated sections with new sections which he cut to size with a hand saw, and he removed damaged lagging and replaced it with new asbestos paste, the writ says.
It claims he cut sheets of asbestos with a circular saw to line channels for large melting pots or cauldrons of hot metal to be fitted at premises in Swansea.
Mr White suffered from wheezing for some years, but found his condition deteriorated last summer, and he became increasingly short of breath and suffered pain.
He was told of the diagnosis in December 2006 and the writ says he now spends most of his time in bed.
It says he knows that he will die from the disease.
He accuses the company of negligence and breach of statutory duty and says this caused his illness.
Mesothelioma is a terminal cancer and victims face a painful death as the disease tightens its grip relentlessly.
Mr White's is the latest in a series of actions launched by mesothelioma victims and their relatives from all over the country.
