Worker Diagnosed With Asbestos Related Lung Cancer

A former British Aerospace employee who worked as a Project Engineer in the 1970's and 80's is calling for help from colleagues after being diagnosed with a fatal asbestos related lung cancer.

It is thought that 66 year old Clive Leaney, now living in Cambridgeshire, was exposed to asbestos while working at the company's Stevenage plant from 1978 to 1980 and then again at the BAE Public Limited Company/British Aerospace facility in Hatfield during the 1980's.

Helen Ashton, an Associate Solicitor at law firm Irwin Mitchell is representing Mr Leaney and his wife. She said: "In June 2009 Mr Leaney started to struggle with his breathing and, tragically, was diagnosed with Mesothelioma at Papworth Hospital in August the same year.  It is believed he contracted the fatal illness following exposure to substantial amounts of the deadly dust during his time at British Aerospace."

Mr Leaney said: "This diagnosis has come as a massive shock to my wife and me. We went on a cruise shortly after the symptoms began and, in just a matter of weeks I was struggling to walk any distance and was confined to my cabin. I couldn’t wait to get home and visit my GP, who referred me to the hospital. It wasn't long before I was diagnosed with mesothelioma.

"I came across asbestos regularly while I worked at both of the Aerospace sites, in Stevenage and Hatfield. It was in the ducting I had to crawl through, the asbestos sheets that were cut in the factory and around and about when computer communications equipment was being installed. We were never offered protection or educated on the dangers of the stuff."

Miss Ashton said: "Mesothelioma is an extremely aggressive lung cancer which is fatal in the majority of cases. It causes great suffering to the victim and their families.

"We are trying to trace former colleagues of Mr Leaney who have information concerning the working practices undertaken at the British Aerospace Dynamics Group/British Aircraft Corporation and BAE Public Limited Company/British Aerospace factories between 1978 and 1990 to come forward and help us with our enquiries."

Anybody with any relevant information about any of these companies should contact Helen Ashton on 01142 744545 or email helen.ashton@irwinmitchell.com