Expert Industrial Disease Lawyers Investigating Cause Of Asbestosis

The widow of a former Midlands power station worker has instructed expert industrial disease lawyers to investigate his exposure to asbestos during his working life after he died from asbestosis.

Kenneth Thorpe, died on 27 October 2012, aged 73, after suffering with the disease, which was caused by breathing in asbestos dust and fibres as he worked at power stations decades ago.

Now Kenneth’s widow, Edna, from Atherstone, Warwickshire has instructed industrial disease specialists at law firm Irwin Mitchell to investigate how and why Kenneth was exposed to asbestos dust.

She is calling for his former workmates at the Hams Hall Power Station, where he worked between 1958 and 1969, to help provide information about the working conditions at the facility, which was operated by the Central Electricity Generating Board (CEGB).

Edna, 74, believes Kenneth may have been exposed to asbestos while working at the power station as asbestos was regularly used to lag pipework, with laggers often mixing paste alongside other workers.

Iain Shoolbred, an expert industrial disease lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, leading the case, said: 

Expert Opinion

“Through our work representing the sufferers of asbestos-related disease we are well aware of the common use of asbestos in power stations and the number of employees who were exposed to the hazardous substance during their working life decades ago.

“We would like to hear from Kenneth’s former work colleagues at Hams Hall Power Station, who may be able to provide the crucial information which may help provide Edna with the answers she needs and help us hold those responsible for Kenneth’s exposure to asbestos to account.

“Anyone who has information on the working conditions he was exposed to, or the measures, if any, in place to prevent employees’ exposure to asbestos should contact us as soon as possible.” Iain Shoolbred - Senior Associate Solicitor

Edna, a grandmother-of-4 who was married to Kenneth for 56 years, said: “I hope Kenneth’s former colleagues will come forward with the information the legal team at Irwin Mitchell require to achieve justice in Kenneth’s name.

“No amount of money will make up for losing him in such a terrible way, which was the result of his exposure to asbestos at work, we hope those responsible for failing to protect him will be held to account.

“I would urge anyone who worked with Kenneth at the Hams Hall Power Station to come forward with any information they have on his exposure to asbestos and the working conditions there.”

Anyone with information on working conditions at the power station should contact Iain Shoolbred on 0121 214 5446 or email Iain.Schoolbred@IrwinMitchell.com  

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.