Family Instruct Lawyers To Seek Information From Father-Of-Three’s Former Colleagues

The children of a former lift engineer who died from asbestos cancer are appealing to their dad’s former workmates for information on how he encountered the substance that claimed his life.

Derek Watkins, from the Fairfield Estate in South Wigston, Leicester died from mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lung associated with exposure to asbestos, often decades previously.

Following their dad’s death aged 86, Derek’s son Paul Watkins, 55 and daughter Carole Sneath, 61 instructed specialist asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate their father’s illness and if it could be linked to his work history.

Ahead of this year’s Action Mesothelioma Day on 7 July, the children have now joined with their legal team to appeal for any of their dad’s former workmates to come forward with details on the conditions he would have worked under.

They are keen to trace anyone who worked with Derek at Oakland Elevators from 1963 to 1971 and at the Express Lift Company, from 1974 to 1988. Derek was largely employed in the East Midlands region, but worked on jobs as far afield as London.

Expert Opinion

“It’s a sad fact of our work that we’re often instructed by families whose lives have been devastated by asbestos, usually many years after initial exposure has taken place.

“Our role often involves supporting the families left behind to pick up the pieces and we’re doing all we can to help Paul and Carole in their search for answers concerning their Dad’s contact with asbestos.

“The family are now asking for anyone who worked with Derek to come forward with information on his working life that may aid our investigations. Any detail could prove vital and help Paul and Carole with the closure they deserve in the wake of their dad’s death.” Nick Woods, Asbestos-Related Disease expert

Derek worked for Oakland Elevators based in Oadby, Leicester. While primarily based in the East Midlands, Paul and Carole say he worked on other projects outside the area. In 1974, Derek moved to work for the Express Lift Company based in Northampton and remained with the firm until 1988.

Derek told the family that elevators were often lined with asbestos to offer protection in case of fire and as a lift engineer, Derek’s family believe he may have come into contact with the substance. Derek said asbestos was once used on everything, from fire insulation on the shafts, to the brakes and electrical control panels, all of which he encountered in his maintenance role.

Derek was a Leicester man and lived and worked in the region all his life. A widower since losing his second wife Erminia in 2010, Derek was a keen photographer and in his younger years developed his own camera films at home. He liked visiting pubs with his friends and enjoyed doing DIY around the house. He enjoyed the cars he owned and took pride in keeping them clean and well maintained. He also enjoyed holidays in his touring caravan.

Derek was a committed family man and enjoyed a good relationship with both Paul and Carole and the family remained close up until his death. He has a total of six grandchildren, namely Melissa, Joshua, Jacob, Katie, Lee and Jennifer.

Derek started to experience symptoms including breathlessness in 2021. After undergoing tests, he was diagnosed with mesothelioma in April 2021. Derek died in April 2022 with Paul and Carole by his side.

Paul and Carole said: “Dad’s diagnosis and death came as such a shock and more than a year on, it’s still so hard to believe he’s gone.

“No sooner had dad been given his terrible mesothelioma diagnosis, than he began to develop dementia. This left dad in no state to pursue answers regarding his asbestos exposure and we all had too much else to think about, as both conditions made any treatment options really difficult.

“Dad had to face the death of his second wife, Erminia, and had really battled back to lead an active life and that diagnosis was the final straw for him. He didn’t deserve to suffer like that at the end of his life and while he couldn’t find the answers himself, it’s something we can do in his memory.

“If anyone who knew and worked with dad could come forward it could be a big help to us in finding out more concerning his work history and bring some closure after a difficult time for us all.”

Anyone with information that could help Paul and Carole is asked to contact Nick Woods at Irwin Mitchell on 0114 274 4292 or email nick.woods@irwinmitchell.com

Held every year, Action Mesothelioma Day brings together victims of the disease, those who have loved ones affected, healthcare professionals, support groups and those working to understand mesothelioma and find a cure. The day aims to ensure the public are also aware of the terrible impact mesothelioma can have on sufferers and their carers.

Find out more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in handling asbestos-related disease cases