Law Firm Irwin Mitchell Investigating Exposure To Asbestos

A former British Aerospace engineer who helped to build a prototype for Concorde is appealing to his former colleagues to come forward with crucial information on working conditions at the Brabazon hangar, the birthplace of Concorde, after he was diagnosed with mesothelioma.

Stuart Cullen, 85, a father-of-two and grandfather-of-four, was diagnosed with the disease, which is a cancer of the lung lining caused by exposure to asbestos, in December 2014 after suffering with shortness of breath.

He has now instructed expert asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate how and where he was exposed to the deadly substance during his working life and what measures, if any, were in place to protect him from deadly asbestos dust and fibres.

Stuart, who lives with his wife Teresa, 78, in Bristol, worked for British Aerospace between 1962 and 1990 as a fitter at the Brabazon hangar in Filton, Bristol, where he worked on the BAC 1-11, a short-range jet that operated in the 1960s and 70s, and on the Concorde project.

He said he often worked alone when fitting parts to the aircraft and also recalls working on a contract for the US Air Force on the F1-11 aircraft.

Stuart and his legal team are now appealing for his ex-workmates from British Aerospace who worked at the Brabazon hangar to get in touch to provide crucial information about how he was exposed to asbestos.

His legal team would also like to hear from Stuart’s former colleagues on the working conditions at the hangar, as well as any protective equipment or warnings provided by British Aerospace to prevent workers from inhaling asbestos dust and fibres, which can cause a number of serious illnesses decades after exposure.

Leanne Leighton,  an expert asbestos-related disease lawyer at Irwin Mitchell’s Bristol office, said: 

“Stuart’s diagnosis came as a complete shock to him, his wife Teresa and his entire family. They are understandably devastated by the news and want to know how he was exposed to asbestos during his working life.

“Mesothelioma is a very aggressive, and unfortunately incurable disease, which causes a great deal of pain and suffering for victims like Stuart, as well as the families of those impacted by diseases such as mesothelioma who have to watch their loved ones suffering.

“We would like to hear from anyone who was employed by British Aerospace at the Brabazon hangar, those who recognise Stuart or anyone who worked on the same projects as him between 1962 and 1990, so we can help secure justice for Stuart and his family.”

Stuart said: “The diagnosis I received last year knocked me and my family for six and we are struggling to come to terms with the news and what the future holds for us. I have been extremely fit and healthy throughout my life, but the mesothelioma has had a huge impact on my life and I constantly feel tired and breathless.

“I am worried about what the future holds for Teresa and our family and I can’t help but feel extremely angry and upset that I will miss out on time with my children and grandchildren as my condition worsens.”

Anyone who worked at British Aerospace’s Brabazon hangar in Filton, Bristol, and has information on working conditions there, the presence of asbestos and the protective measures implemented to protect workers should contact Leanne Leighton on 0117 926 1530 or email Leanne.Leighton@IrwinMitchell.com.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, our expert mesothelioma solicitors could help you claim compensation. See our Asbestos-Related Disease Claims Guide for more information.