Former Colleagues Urged To Come Forward

The widow of a man from Sutton Coldfield, who died at the age of 71 from an incurable asbestos related cancer, is appealing for his former work colleagues to come forward and help with an investigation into working conditions at Four Oaks Construction Limited and identify the company’s employers’ liability insurers.

Kenneth Beresford, who lived in Peterborough at the time of his death, died from malignant mesothelioma of the pleura, a rare type of cancer of the outer lining of the lungs and the chest wall, which is invariably caused by exposure to asbestos.

It is alleged that Mr Beresford was exposed to the deadly asbestos dust and fibres when he worked at Four Oaks Construction Limited, a small builders based in Sutton Coldfield, from 1985 to 1997.  Mr Beresford undertook refurbishment work on a number of projects, including the conversion of a chain of high street clothes shops called Thrifty.

Mr Beresford’s widow, Joan Beresford said “Kenneth’s work included stripping out the interior of the shop and making changes and improvements to the interior.  His work included removing and breaking up asbestos sheets and ceiling tiles.

“It is extremely distressing to think that Kenneth contracted this dreadful terminal illness as a result of nothing more than just going to work.”

Denis O’Gorman, an industrial illness expert at Irwin Mitchell, said: “Mesothelioma takes many years to develop.  The company was dissolved in 1996 which means the company no longer exists and therefore there are no assets or any money to pay any damages to mesothelioma victims.  It is therefore important to identify the insurers so that Mrs Beresford can receive the compensation due to her. 

“I urge anybody who worked with Mr Beresford, or has information about the company, to come forward and contact me to help us with our investigation.”

Anybody who worked with Mr Beresford or has any information about Four Oaks Construction Limited from 1985 to 1997 should contact Denis O’Gorman at Irwin Mitchell on 0370 1500 100.