Oliver Collett

I’ve acted in several high-profile and sensitive occupational disease cases, many of which have involved helping families investigate how a loved one came to be exposed to harmful dust decades earlier. A recent example reported by the BBC involved Paul Gray and Stuart Johnson, stonemasons from Shipley and Bradford, who developed silicosis after years of working with stone and inhaling silica dust, which has been described as the “new asbestos”.

Paul and Stuart’s family secured settlements following their deaths, and the case helped raise wider awareness of the risks faced by stonemasons and others working with stone across West Yorkshire.

Alongside that, I’ve supported clients and families in cases involving former industrial workers, engineers, mechanics, joiners and colliery workers, including appeals for witnesses where evidence from former colleagues has been vital. These cases often require careful reconstruction of working conditions many years after the exposure occurred. They involve tracing employers and insurers, obtaining expert evidence, and presenting the claim in a way that reflects the full impact of the disease on the individual and their family.

The outcomes I have helped achieve include substantial compensation settlements, recovery of hospice care costs, and support for families seeking answers after bereavement.

I’m proud of this work because it combines technical litigation with compassionate client care: securing justice where possible, helping clients access treatment and support, and ensuring families feel listened to and guided through an extremely difficult process.

The work I do is focused on achieving the best possible outcome for each client and their family. That can include pursuing compensation to fund:

• Private treatment
• Care
• Hospice support
• Adaptations
• Loss of earnings
• Financial provision for dependants.

Just as importantly, I aim to make the process as straightforward and reassuring as possible, taking on the legal stresses so my clients can focus on their health, their family and the time that matters most to them.

At our first meeting, my priority is to put you at ease and explain the process clearly and sensitively. I understand that taking legal action can feel daunting, particularly when you or a loved one is dealing with a serious illness, so I’ll take time to listen, answer your questions and remove as much anxiety as possible.

I’m always happy to visit you at home, so we can meet somewhere comfortable and convenient for you. If you choose to work with me, I’ll explain the initial steps, what information we may need, and how I can support you and your family throughout the claim.