Christine Harris Is Calling Upon Husband Gordon’s Former Colleagues To Help Shed Light On How He Was Exposed To Deadly Dust

The widow of a construction worker who helped build Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge is appealing to his former colleagues for information following his death from asbestos-related cancer.

Christine Harris, from Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, instructed expert asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate after husband Gordon’s death from mesothelioma, an asbestos-related cancer of the lining of the lungs, on August 23 last year, when he was aged 73.

Christine believes Gordon was exposed to asbestos while working on the Addenbrooke’s Hospital project between 1966 and 1967. Mesothelioma, a terminal illness, takes decades to develop following exposure to the harmful fibres.

Gordon, a father of two, was employed as a pipe fitter and worked on the construction of the hospital fitting iron piping in the service ducts. During the course of his work, he encountered other workers lagging the pipes with asbestos. The mixing of the asbestos powder created substantial quantities of dust which fell to the floor where he worked.

Irwin Mitchell is appealing to other sub-contractors who worked on the construction of the building, to provide them with information about the working conditions and materials used in the build.

Christine said: “Gordon’s diagnosis was a terrible shock to our family and we’re still reeling from his loss.

“Gordon was such a warm person. He loved bird watching and playing snooker but undoubtedly, he loved nothing more than spending time with friends and our daughters and two grandchildren all whom miss him terribly.

“We all have so many questions about how he came to be exposed to asbestos and, while it cannot change what happened to him, I just hope the answers will give me some peace.”

Gordon was diagnosed with the terminal illness on June 7, 2015 and underwent surgery two months later. He died in August the following year.

Expert Opinion

“Mesothelioma is an extremely aggressive, and sadly, incurable, form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos dust fibres. It is responsible for the deaths of more than 2,500 people in the UK every year.

“We are investigating Gordon’s exposure during his time working on the construction of Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge and we hope that anyone who worked on the premises during 1966 and 1967 will come forward with further information.” Ian Bailey - Partner

Anyone with information regarding the construction work at Addenbrooke’s Hospital between 1966 and 1967 should contact Ian Bailey on 0207 421 4754 or email Ian.Bailey@IrwinMitchell.com

Read more about the work of Irwin Mitchell's Asbestos-Related Disease Team here