Expert Asbestos-Related Disease Lawyers Investigating Exposure To Deadly Dust

The devastated family of a former London Transport worker is appealing to his former colleagues to help them find answers as to how and where he was exposed to asbestos after his death from mesothelioma – a cancer of the lining of the lungs.

Expert industrial disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell are investigating how Anthony Barber, who was known to his friends and colleagues as Tony, was exposed to the deadly dust decades ago, which caused him to develop the terminal cancer.

Sadly, Tony passed away in February 2014 before he was able to provide full details on how he may have come into contact with asbestos.

Now, his family are appealing to his former colleagues at London Transport to come forward with information on the presence of asbestos at the firm’s Aldenham Works factory, in Elstree, and what measures were in place to protect workers from being exposed to asbestos.

Tony worked at the facility from 1952 until 1986 in a number of roles, including as a messenger when the facility was being constructed, a coach builder, repairing and overhauling buses and then as an office worker at the site.

His widow Maureen and their sons Garry, Howard, Haydn and Christian believe that Tony may have been exposed to asbestos during the construction of the facility. Before Aldenham Works opened as a bus overhauling facility, it was used for the construction of the Handley Page Halifax bombers and featured a temporary roof made of asbestos.

Tony’s family believe he would have been present during the deconstruction of this roof and the demolition may have led to him being exposed to asbestos.

They and their legal team at Irwin Mitchell would like to hear from anyone who was involved in the demolition of the old facility and construction of the London Transport workshop, as well as those that worked alongside Tony.

Information on the presence of asbestos at the site and the measures put in place to protect workers like Tony from the material could be crucial in getting his family the answers they need concerning his exposure to asbestos.

Virginia Chalmers, a Partner and expert asbestos-related disease lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, said: 

Expert Opinion

“Mesothelioma is an extremely aggressive and sadly incurable form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos decades ago.

“Unfortunately, we were unable to get details from Tony of his exposure to the substance before he passed away and his family have understandably been left desperate for answers about how he developed mesothelioma.

“We would like to hear from anyone who worked on the construction of London Transport’s Aldenham Works factory in the early 1950s and anyone who worked for the company between 1952 and 1986 who can provide details on the presence of asbestos and the measures in place to protect workers from exposure to the deadly dust and fibres.” Virginia Chalmers - Partner

Maureen, who was married to Tony for nearly 53 years, said: “It was absolutely heartbreaking to watch Tony deteriorate so quickly after he was diagnosed with mesothelioma. To find that he may have been exposed to the material while working for London Transport, where he spent more than 35 years of his working life, added insult to injury.

“We know that nothing can ever bring Tony back, but myself and our sons are determined to find answers as to how he came into contact with asbestos. Hopefully, those who remember Tony from the Aldenham factory will come forward with the information we need to ensure justice is done in his name.”

Anyone with information on the presence of asbestos at London Transport site in Elstree should contact Nicole Ross on 0117 926 1509 or email Nicole.Ross@IrwinMitchell.com.