Expert Asbestos Related Disease Lawyers At Irwin Mitchell Investigating Asbestos Exposure
A retired factory production line worker from Leicester diagnosed with an asbestos-related cancer has instructed Irwin Mitchell to investigate where and why she was exposed to the deadly dust during her working life and is appealing for her former work colleagues to come forward and help with her legal battle.Sandra Bennett (nee Jennings), 66, began to suffer with breathing difficulties and chest pains in August last year and in November was diagnosed with mesothelioma – a terminal cancer of the lung lining caused by exposure to asbestos decades ago.
She has instructed expert industrial disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate her exposure to the hazardous substance, which she believed occurred during her employment at Heating Elements Limited in Wigston Magna between 1963 and 1968.
Sandra, who spent the majority of her life in Leicester, worked on the production line at the engineering factory, where she helped to produce heating elements, circuit boards and parts used in aeroplanes.
She is seeking justice and a settlement which will be used to provide vital care and support for her as she deals with the terminal illness and to provide financial security for her family, which includes her nine grandchildren.
Sandra and her legal team at Irwin Mitchell are hoping her former workmates at Heating Elements Limited will be able to provide crucial information on the working conditions at the factory, which was based in Wigston Magna, and if any measures were implemented to prevent exposure to asbestos.
Virginia Chalmers, a Partner and expert asbestos-related disease lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, said:
Expert Opinion
Mesothelioma is a very aggressive and incurable cancer causes a significant amount of pain and suffering for victims like Sandra who was unknowingly exposed to the deadly substance simply by going to work every day.
“Both she and her family are understandably extremely upset and angry that she has been given this terrible diagnosis at such a relatively young age. They are very worried about what the future holds for Sandra and we would urge her former workmates to come forward with the information we need to secure justice for Sandra and her family.
“Her employers should have been well aware of the dangers asbestos posed to workers and measures should have put in place to protect members of staff from the deadly substance.” Virginia Chalmers - Partner
Sandra’s son Ray, 45, from Leicester, said: “The news of Mum’s diagnosis was absolutely devastating. We found out just before Christmas and it really shook the whole family as we had no idea it was coming and it hit us hard.
“My mother can’t go out anymore because she simply does not have the strength and suffers from shortness of breath and is in constant pain. It is very hard for the family to see her like this, but we know we have to remain a strong unit and support her.
“My mum had such fond memories of her time at Heating Elements Limited as she worked alongside her mother, as well as my dad, who was a machine operator, but now we are all angry by the failures of the company to protect her.
“Hopefully her former workmates will come forward and provide the information our legal team at Irwin Mitchell need to secure justice for my mother.”
Anyone with information on the working conditions at Heating Elements Limited or the measures put in place to prevent exposure to asbestos should contact Virginia Chalmers at Irwin Mitchell on 0117 926 1514 or email Virginia.Chalmers@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.