Asbestos-Related Disease Experts Investigating Asbestos Exposure At ICI

The family of a Billingham man is appealing to his former colleagues for help after he died from mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lungs caused by exposure to asbestos, after instructing expert industrial disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate his exposure to asbestos.

Jack Masterman died in October 2015 at the age of 89 after a short battle with the disease, which is known to be caused by exposure to asbestos decades previously.

His family is now appealing on Action Mesothelioma Day, a national awareness day for the terminal disease, for help from his former colleagues at ICI’s Billingham plant to come forward with any information they have about the working conditions at the facility, the safety measures in place to protect staff and the warnings they were provided on the dangers of asbestos.

Jack, a grandfather-of-nine and great grandfather-of-eight, spent more than 40 years working at the ICI plant in Billingham, from 1939 until 1980, and his family believe it was during his career with the firm that he was exposed to asbestos.

He started at the company as an apprentice which included part fabrication, welding, pipe fitting and all aspects of plumbing work. In his time with ICI he progressed to become a project engineer.

Now his family, backed by their legal team at Irwin Mitchell, are appealing for his former colleagues to come forward with any information they may have on how and why he was exposed to asbestos.

They are speaking out ahead of Action Mesothelioma Day, which takes place on Friday 1 July, and aims to bring together victims of mesothelioma, as well as those who have lost loved ones to the disease in a bid to increase awareness of the terrible impact asbestos exposure can have.

Expert asbestos-related disease lawyers at the law firm, which has a consulting office in Middlesbrough, have significant experience representing former employees of ICI access justice after developing a wide range of industrial diseases.

Roger Maddocks, a Partner and expert industrial disease lawyer, who represents Jack’s family, said:

Expert Opinion

“Sadly, we regularly see cases like Jack’s, where victims pass away shortly after being diagnosed with the disease. As symptoms present themselves decades after exposure those affected are not always able to recall how and where they were exposed and are often too ill to share details with their families.

“We have represented a number of individuals who developed asbestos-related diseases linked to their employment at ICI and we hope those who recall working with Jack will now come forward and provide us with the information we need to help his family get the answers they want.

“Any information on the warning provided to staff about the dangers of asbestos, the presence of asbestos at the ICI Billingham plant and the safety measures in place, if any, to protect workers from inhaling deadly asbestos dust and fibres will help Jack’s family.” Roger Maddocks - Partner

Jack’s daughter Debra Masterman, 58, said: “We’ve all been left devastated by dad’s death, particularly as mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos and we believe he was exposed during his time at work as he tried to provide for his family.

“Sadly, his health deteriorated rapidly after his diagnosis and he was too ill to tell us a great deal about what he remembered from his ICI days, so we hope someone who remembers him will come forward and help us understand why he was exposed to asbestos.”

Anyone with information on conditions at the ICI plant in Billingham between 1939 and 1980 should contact Roger Maddocks at Irwin Mitchell’s Middlesbrough office on 01642 246915 or email Roger.Maddocks@IrwinMitchell.com.

Our expert mesothelioma solicitors 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.