Grieving Son Appeals To Dad’s Former Colleagues For Help In Battle For Justice

The son of a man who died from asbestos-related cancer, is appealing for anyone who may have worked with his father at a Birmingham factory to help with information about exposure to the deadly substance.

Peter Aldenhoven, 70, from Birmingham, was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma in December 2010 but sadly died just seven months later on 11 July 2011. He had been employed in the battery assembly plant at Joseph Lucas and remembered coming into contact with asbestos whilst working at the Formans Road Factory site from 1964 to 1973.

Peter’s son, Paul Carrington, 45, from Solihull, West Midlands  instructed industrial illness experts at law firm Irwin Mitchell after his dad’s death to help find answers about whether more could have been done to prevent his father’s exposure to asbestos dust. He is now backing the firm’s calls for his father’s former Joseph Lucas Limited colleagues to come forward.

From speaking to one of Peter’s former colleagues, it appears he came into contact with the deadly dust on a constant, daily basis as the battery cases were made from blue asbestos and he had to fill with battery plates and separators. There were miles of pipework in the factory lagged with asbestos lagging. The lagging was old, broken in places and very dry and dusty and the asbestos corrugated roof was old, degrading and dropping asbestos dust.
 
Kim Barrett, a workplace illness expert with Irwin Mitchell, who is representing Peter’s family in their legal battle for justice, commented: “This is a really horrific case. It seems Peter was permanently in contact with asbestos and yet not once was he warned about the dangers, or given any protective equipment.

“His clothes would be contaminated with asbestos dust each day despite wearing a smock coat.

“Sadly, this is not the first time we have been contacted by the family of former Joseph Lucas employees, diagnosed with mesothelioma, an incurable asbestos-related disease.

“This devastating illness claims the lives of its victims and breaks the hearts of those left behind. Each of these employees innocently went to work to earn a living and they were totally unaware that the terrible conditions they endured at work each day would ultimately kill them.”

Commenting on his loss, Peter’s heartbroken son Paul said: “I was completely shell shocked when my dad told me about the diagnosis of mesothelioma. He had always been in great health but his health rapidly deteriorated, to such a degree that in May 2011, he had to be admitted to hospital then later to a hospice.

“My dad was a very outgoing man who had a good sense of humour; he enjoyed his life and had made a lot of great friends throughout his life. It was extremely difficult to see my dad suffer from this terminal disease and to think it was caused solely by exposure to asbestos at his workplace. 

“I would urge any of his old work colleagues to come forward and help myself and the team at Irwin Mitchell receive justice for my dad, who tirelessly worked for years and years with asbestos, unaware of the deadly dangers it has. I also believe he was not provided with the appropriate safety equipment by his employers.”

Anyone who think they can help are asked to contact Kim Barrett at Irwin Mitchell on 0121 214 5211 or email kim.barrett@irwinmitchell.com 

If you or a loved one has been affected by an asbestos related illness, our solicitors can help you to claim compensation. See our Asbestos Claims page for more information.