A SOUTHAMPTON engineer has secured a six-figure settlement after joining the Royal Navy and developing a serious skin condition that cost him his career.
Thomas Sharpe, who was an air engineer technician in the Fleet Air Arm, began to experience symptoms of dermatitis just seven months after enlisting.
He was temporarily downgraded from his role on health grounds and medically discharged three years later.
Thomas, 31, instructed military injury experts at Irwin Mitchell to investigate whether his dermatitis was caused by conditions he faced in the navy.
Following legal submissions, Irwin Mitchell secured a six-figure sum from the Ministry of Defence.
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The payout will ensure he has access to the specialist treatment he needs whilst allowing him to move forward with his life. The MoD denied liability.
He was represented by Chelsea Towner, a specialist military injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell.
She said: "The last five years have been tough for Thomas, who has lost out on future career opportunities in a job he loved due to his skin condition.
"Irritant contact dermatitis is often caused by frequent exposure to a particular substance. A number of those affected will be exposed to the irritant at work, which we believe is the case with Thomas.
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"Dermatitis is a particularly unpleasant condition that can lead to infection in serious cases.
"It affects people both physically and psychologically. While we can’t change what Thomas has been through we’re pleased to have helped secure him a settlement that will hopefully assist him in moving on with his life as best he can."
Thomas joined the navy in 2013 and was discharged less than four years later. He now works as an engineer for a train company.
He said: "I was so excited when I joined the navy as it had always been a career I’d looked up to. My skin became really bad and I didn’t know it was a result of the materials I was coming into contact with at work.
"Shortly after I was diagnosed I was downgraded from my role and then medically discharged two years later. I was devastated.
"Since then, it’s been a struggle some days to see where my future lies.
"While I miss the navy, I’m determined to move forward with my life and not let my condition define me or stop me from doing what I want."
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