Industrial Disease Experts Appeal For Former Workers To Help With Mesothelioma Case

The widow of a former construction worker, who died of an asbestos-related cancer last year, is appealing for his former colleagues to come forward and provide any information which will support her search for answers regarding his death.

Graham Stocks, who lived in Worksop, died aged 77 in January 2014, around five months after being diagnosed mesothelioma – a cancer of the lining of the lung caused by asbestos exposure decades ago.

His widow Betty has now instructed specialist industrial illness lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to help her gain answers regarding how Graham was exposed to asbestos and is appealing to former colleagues to come forward and help with their enquiries.

Graham worked for various construction companies between 1952 and 1981, including Morris and Oldfield Builders, General Refractories Ltd, Dernie & Bell Sons & Co Ltd, J.J. & A.R. Jackson Ltd, F.P.A. Finnegan Ltd, George Wimpey & Co Ltd J.T.Bell & Sons Ltd and P. Hassall Ltd on projects based in Worksop and Sheffield, as well as one job based in Newcastle.

Betty recalls his work often involved multiple roofing projects which may have involved asbestos sheeting and other work which saw him come into contact with pipes which were likely to have been lagged with asbestos.

Laura Haigh, industrial disease expert at law firm Irwin Mitchell, representing Betty, said: “Mesothelioma is an aggressive and incurable cancer and has devastating consequences for sufferers and their loved ones. Sadly, despite employers knowing how dangerous it is, many in the past did not do enough to manage the risks of asbestos exposure to protect their employees.

“Because the illness is linked to exposure to asbestos decades ago it can sometimes be difficult to find information on the working conditions the victims have endured.

“In Graham’s case, he worked for numerous different employers across the region and we would urge anyone who worked with him at any of the companies across Worksop, Sheffield and Newcastle to get in touch, as they might be able to provide vital information that may assist with our investigations.”

Betty said: “The shock of how quickly the illness affected Graham so soon after he was diagnosed still upsets me, but I am determined to find answers and seek justice for him more than ever.

“I am only able to pass on the information Graham told me when he was alive about the working conditions, but hopefully people who he worked with might be able to help to provide more information so that we can determine what caused his terrible illness.”

Anyone with any information about the working conditions Graham’s former employers should contact Laura Haigh at Irwin Mitchell on 0114 274 4420 or email laura.haigh@irwinmitchell.com.