Glasgow-Based Asbestos-Related Disease Lawyers Investigating Exposure To Deadly Dust

The devastated family of a former carpet factory worker have appealed to their mother’s former colleagues for help with their legal battle after she died from mesothelioma – a cancer of the lining of the lungs caused by exposure to asbestos decades ago.

Frances Hamilton died in May 2014 from mesothelioma, aged 75, after a short battle with the incurable disease, which is caused by inhaling asbestos dust and fibres, usually during the victim’s working life.

Before her death Frances told specialist asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell Scotland that she believed she may have been exposed to the deadly substance while working at the Templeton carpet mill and factory in Bridgeton, Glasgow, where she was employed from the late 1950s to the late 1960s. She also worked at Wrights Insulation from 1967 for several years, alongside her mother.

She recalled coming into contact with asbestos fibres on a daily basis during both jobs, as she sewed boiler covers for steam locomotive engines, which were manufactured from asbestos and would be wrapped around boilers. She also worked with machinery with pipes lagged with asbestos, which were constantly being maintained by other workers. Mrs Hamilton believed this may have caused asbestos dust to be released in the air.

Her son, Mark MacLellan, 48, has instructed Irwin Mitchell Scotland to investigate the conditions that his mother was exposed to and what measures, if any, were put in place to prevent workers being exposed to asbestos.

Frances told her family she worked in an “extremely dusty” environment and was provided with no overalls or gloves to protect her from coming into contact with the hazardous substance.

Laura McCallum, a specialist asbestos-related disease lawyer, at Irwin Mitchell Scotland in Glasgow is leading the case, she said: “Mesothelioma is an extremely aggressive disease and causes a great deal of pain and suffering for victims like Frances.

“Employers knew the risks of asbestos when she began working in the 1950s and should have provided her with protection to prevent exposure to the dust. We would like to hear from employees who worked at the Templeton carpet factory and mill and Wrights Insulation (between 1955 and 1975) on the working conditions that they were exposed to and what protective equipment, if any, was provided by their employers.

“This information will be crucial in helping Frances’ family secure justice for their mother and grandmother and we hope anyone who worked with Frances will come forward with the information we need to ensure those responsible for her exposure to asbestos are held to account.”

Frances’ son, Mark MacLellan, from Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, said: “My mother was devastated when she lost her mum to mesothelioma, so for her to suffer from the same disease was absolutely devastating.

“To find out the disease was caused by her exposure to asbestos simply by going to work every day is even more upsetting for the family.

“It was absolutely awful to see my mother and my childrens’ grandmother go through so much pain and suffering in her final months and we hope any former colleagues who worked at the carpet factory will be able to provide our legal team with the information they require to achieve justice in mum’s name.

“No amount of money will bring her back or fill the hole her death left in the family, but we hope taking legal action will ensure other families don’t end up going through the same as we have.”

Anyone with information about working conditions at the Templeton carpet factory and mill and Wrights Insulation should contact Laura McCallum at Irwin Mitchell Scotland on 0141 300 4083 or email Laura.McCallum@IrwinMitchellScotland.com

Our personal injury solicitors in Scotland specialise in a number of serious injury and illness claims, if you or a loved one have been affected call us on 0808 250 7641 for a free initial consultation.

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.