In a landmark case, the High Court has awarded St Joseph's Hospice in Hackney, east London, more than £10,000 for the care it provided to James Wilson, who died of mesothelioma, an asbestos related cancer, in 2007.

Mr Wilson worked for Foster Wheeler Ltd in the 1950's as a boiler erector, at Dartford Power Station.

There, he was exposed to asbestos without being warned of the dangers or being provided with respiratory protection.

As Mr Wilson's health deteriorated following his diagnosis, his family was unable to care for him and he spent the last few days of his life at St Joseph's Hospice, which provided care to make him as comfortable as possible.

Although hospices do not charge for their services and there is no obligation for patients to contribute to the costs, the High Court confirmed that where the care was the result of someone else's wrong doing and care was needed to relieve suffering, hospices should be allowed to recover their costs.

As a result of this case, hospices can now have their costs included in a claim for the important care they provide.

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