Lawyers Helping Former Weaver In Battle For Justice

A woman diagnosed with asbestos-related cancer nearly 50 years after she worked at a Leigh cotton mill has instructed specialist lawyers in her battle for justice.

Brenda Smith, from Leigh, in Wigan worked at Brook Mill, on Chapel Street in Leigh between 1956 and 1957 winding asbestos fibres onto bobbins which were later woven into cloth. Whilst at work, her and her colleagues would be working from a mass of asbestos fibres (known as a copse) which would often flake off and create a lot of dust over them.

The 77-year-old started to suffer from breathlessness in March 2013 and tests at the Department of Respiratory Medicine at the Wrightington and Wigan and Leigh Infirmary confirmed she had lung cancer.

Brenda, who currently struggles with chronic breathlessness, has now instructed expert asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell’s Manchester office to help investigate the working conditions at Brook Mill, on Chapel Street in Leigh. She is hoping to seek justice from her former employers for failing to prevent her exposure to the hazardous substance decades ago.

Expert Opinion

“Lung cancer is an disease which can have a significant impact on patient’s lifestyles.

“Brenda and her family have understandably been left angry and upset by her diagnosis and have concerns about what the future will hold. The family want answers as to why more wasn’t done by her employers to protect her from the harmful dust of asbestos.”
Dominic Hemsi - Partner

Brenda said: “I was given no warnings, training or information about the risks and dangers of asbestos exposure and had I known I would have taken the necessary precautions.

“Often whilst I was at work myself and my colleagues would be completely covered in dust and fibres after filling the bobbins. We would have to use a hoover pipe to suck up all the fibres, but it wouldn’t take long until everything was covered again. We were never given any safety equipment to cover our noses and mouth to prevent us from breathing in the dust.

“I hope my former colleagues will come forward with the crucial information my legal team requires to bring my former employers to justice.”

Anyone with any information about the working conditions at any of the above sites where Brenda worked is asked to contact Dominic Hemsi at MPH Solicitors (part of Irwin Mitchell) on Dominic.hemsi@mphsolicitors.co.uk or call 0161 259 1517.

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