A solicitor believes a ruling that saw a former boilermaker whose wife died from asbestos exposure stripped of his damages could affect others.

Brigitte Chandler, of Charles Lucas and Marshall in Swindon claims that an appeal heard in Liverpool could have a negative impact on anyone claiming compensation who had a family member get ill or die from washing the clothes of someone exposed to asbestos before 1965.

The majority decision at the Court of Appeal, that shipbuilder Harland and Wolff could not be held responsible, will affect many existing and future cases of indirect exposure to the dust, especially in Swindon where there are many British Rail workers.

The shipbuilders were found liable for the fatal lung disease contracted by Teresa Maguire at a High Court hearing in Manchester.

She died aged 67 shortly after Mr Justice Morland ruled she was entitled to £82,000.

She was diagnosed with mesothelioma a lung cancer in 2000 and her husband, James, pursued her case when she became too ill.

Mr Maguire, who worked at Harland and Wolff's Liverpool shipyard in the 1960s, suffered no ill-effects from asbestos exposure.

But at a hearing at the Court of Appeal before Christmas, Charles Feeney, representing the shipbuilders, said that at the time of Mr Maguire's exposure 40 years ago, employers were not on the alert about the risk of "secondary exposure" to those like his wife.

Ms Chandler said: "This does not affect any ongoing cases I have on my books at the moment, as they all relate to familial exposure after 1965.

"But there are bound to be railway workers whose family members became ill or died who would be affected.

Former seaman David Parker, 63, of The Broadway, Swindon, is currently pursuing a case after his wife died from an asbestos disease from washing his clothes.

Although her exposure happened after 1965, the results of the Liverpool appeal case has given him some cause for concern.

He said: "The whole thing is worrying."