Seven sisters have won a four-year compensation battle after their sibling was killed by cancer linked to asbestos dust which was present on her father's overalls.
The Plymouth Herald reported that Beverley McKnight, of Kings Tamerton, died from mesothelioma aged 46 after inhaling the deadly substance decades ago.
One of her sisters, Anne Mure, 52, from Challaborough, said that she met a tragic end to her life.
"When I sit and think what she went through and how much easier her life could have been if she had that compensation, it's shocking," she added.
Alison Richardson, another of Ms McKnight's sisters, said that her father used to come home from the dockyards in his work clothes, hugging his family as he came through the door.
She went on to say that mesothelioma was a "death sentence", adding that she was devastated with the loss of her sister.
The Health and Safety Executive recently said that working on or near damaged asbestos-containing materials or breathing in high levels of fibres can expose people to diseases.