Expert Lawyers Investigating Asbestos Exposure That Caused Mesothelioma

The devastated family of a skilled carpenter are appealing to those who worked alongside him for information after he died from mesothelioma, a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos, often decades before the disease develops.

Brian Sugrue was diagnosed with mesothelioma in January 2015 and died just 12 months later at the age of 70.

Now his widow Ann and their legal team at Cambridge law firm Irwin Mitchell are appealing for those who worked alongside Brian at Huntingdon-based building company Stockley & Dighton between 1975 and 1978.

Ann, from Newmarket, believes Brian was exposed to asbestos during his time at the company, where he spent time working on a number of new homes. They believe he would have been required to cut asbestos soffits to size before installing them.

They believe cutting the soffits to size and fitting them to the outside of the homes he was working on would have led to asbestos dust and fibres being released into the working atmosphere.

He also worked at a number of sites across London during his working life, carrying out shopfitting, renovation and conversion work.

Ann, 65, who was married to Brian for 44 years, said he was a very independent man and his brother Albert, who worked alongside him as a plumber on some jobs, said Brian was an extremely skilled carpenter and that he would regularly come into contact during the jobs he was asked to do.

Rosemary Giles, a Partner and expert asbestos-related disease lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, representing Ann, said:

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“Ann has been left devastated by Brian’s death earlier this year and she is desperate for answers about how and where he came into contact with the asbestos that caused him to develop mesothelioma.

“We know from our experience how heartbreaking it can be for the friends and family of those diagnosed with mesothelioma, and it has been no different for Ann and the rest of the family. We want to hear from anyone who recalls working with Brian, particularly during his time at Stockley & Dighton, in the hope that the information they can provide will help Ann get the answers she wants.

“We would like to hear from anyone who worked with Brian, those with information on the presence of asbestos at the sites he worked at, the safety measures in place to prevent exposure to asbestos and if employees were warned of the dangers asbestos posed to their health.” Rosemary Giles - Partner

Ann said: “Brian was a very independent man, which made it extremely difficult for him to rely on other people when the disease started to cause his health to suffer.

“Sadly, we don’t know a great deal about his working life and how exactly he came into contact with the asbestos that ultimately took him away from us, so we’re hoping the tradesmen he worked with will come forward and help us.

“We just want to know how he was exposed to asbestos and to ensure any failures to protect him are identified.”

Anyone with information about the working conditions at company Stockley & Dighton should contact Rosemary Giles at Irwin Mitchell on 01223 791810 or email Rosemary.Giles@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.