16.12.2014

Specialist Asbestos Lawyers Issue Court Proceedings

Specialist workplace illness lawyers have issued legal proceedings against Middlesbrough Borough Council in a bid to secure the widow of a former Billingham mechanic who died from an asbestos-related cancer justice for his death.

James Parker, died on 6 April 2014, aged 79, after a short battle with mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lungs, which is caused by exposure to hazardous asbestos dust.

Before his death, James and his wife Catherine instructed law firm Irwin Mitchell to investigate his exposure to asbestos while working on council-owned vehicles at depots on Stockton Road, between Thornaby and Middlesbrough, Norton High Street, Norton and Cowpen Lane, Billingham between 1969 and 1998.

James also believed he was exposed to asbestos while working at the Stockton Road depot as the underside of the roof had been sprayed with asbestos, which he recalled would often flake off and fall to the floor or float in the air.

The firm has now launched legal proceedings against the local authority after a number of James’ former colleagues came forward with information concerning his exposure to asbestos and the absence of measures in place to prevent workers inhaling the hazardous substance.

James believed he was exposed to asbestos at each of the depots as dust was created as he and his colleagues serviced the brakes and clutches of local authority refuse lorries.

Roger Maddocks, a Partner and experts asbestos-related disease lawyer at Irwin Mitchell’s Newcastle office, said: 

Expert Opinion

Mr Parker’s family have been completely devastated by their loss and hope to seek justice after losing him so suddenly.

“Mesothelioma is an aggressive illness which causes so much distress for victims like James and their families who worked in industrial settings, where we know workers are regularly exposed to asbestos.

“Thankfully, a number of James’ former colleagues came forward to provide vital information about the working conditions at the Middlesbrough Borough Council depots. We have now issued court proceedings and hope that we can finally find some answers for James’ family about his exposure so they can have the justice they deserve.” Roger Maddocks - Partner

Catherine, 68, said: “It was a huge shock to watch James deteriorate so quickly after he was diagnosed with mesothelioma. It has been a real struggle to come to terms with him not being with me after 46 years of marriage.  

“As a family we are devastated that he was diagnosed with this terminal illness after being exposed to asbestos through simply going to work. We are thankful to James’ former colleagues for coming forward with the information our legal team required.

“We hope that by issuing court proceedings we will be able to secure justice for James and honour his memory after losing him in such a terrible way.”