Asbestos-Related Disease Lawyers Investigating Exposure To Asbestos

A Newcastle man is appealing to his former colleagues for help after he was diagnosed with mesothelioma, an incurable form of cancer, caused by exposure to asbestos decades ago.

Brian Coffey, 67, from Walkergate, Newcastle has instructed expert asbestos-related disease lawyers to investigate how and where he was exposed to the deadly material during his working life after he was diagnosed with mesothelioma in April 2015.

He believes he came into contact with the deadly dust and fibres while employed by Morley Coachworks in Byker, Newcastle, between 1985 and 1986 and the Prescription Pricing Authority (PPA) in the city, where he worked from 1987 to 1994.

Brian recalls his colleagues at Morley Coachworks working on brake and clutch linings, which were made from asbestos, and that he would regularly sweep the floor at the end of the day.

He told his legal team at Irwin Mitchell that he worked as a porter in the basement of the Prescription Pricing Authority and that the pipework was lagged with asbestos. He also recalled the lagging being removed by contractors who were wearing protective equipment.

Brian and his legal team are now calling on his former colleagues to come forward with further information about the presence of asbestos and what measures were put in place to protect staff at Morley Coachworks or the Prescription Pricing Authority coming into contact with the hazardous material.

Roger Maddocks, a Partner and specialist asbestos-related disease lawyer, said: 

Expert Opinion

“Exposure to asbestos can cause a wide range of serious conditions decades after exposure to the material, including mesothelioma, which is sadly an incurable cancer of the lung lining.

“Victims like Brian often struggle to recall the exact details of their exposure to asbestos, but understandably want answers as to how and why they were exposed to the material responsible for their illness.

“We hope that his former colleagues from Morley Coachworks or the Prescription Pricing Authority who remember Brian will come forward with the information we need to get him and his wife the answers they deserve. We would like to hear from anyone who worked at, or has information about the conditions at Morley Coachworks in the mid 1980’s.

“We would also like to hear from anyone who carried out the removal of asbestos lagging at the PPA facility on Bridge Street in Newcastle.” Roger Maddocks - Partner

Brian, who has been married to his wife Patricia for almost 45 years, said: “My mesothelioma diagnosis absolutely knocked us for six and I’m worried about what the future holds for me and Patricia as my condition gets worse.

“I suffer a lot of pain in my chest and stomach and struggle to do a lot of things for myself as I’m constantly struggling for breath. To find out my mesothelioma may have been caused by my exposure to asbestos while working simply added insult to injury.

“I want to know where I was exposed to the material and if my former employers could have prevented my exposure by taking the appropriate safety measures. Nothing will change my situation, but I hope my former colleagues will come forward with the information my legal team needs to get the answers I’m looking for.”

Anyone with information on the presence of asbestos at Morley Coachworks or the Prescription Pricing Authority should contact Kirstie Devine on 0191 279 0136 or email Kirstie.Devine@IrwinMitchell.com

Our expert mesothelioma claims team will provide you with free initial advice on your compensation claim if you or a loved on has been diagnosed with mesothelioma caused by asbestos exposure. See our Asbestos-Related Disease Claims Guide for more information.