Industrial Disease Experts Instructed To Secure Justice

The heartbroken daughter of a former British Leyland machinist is launching an appeal to her mum’s ex-colleagues after she died just 24 hours after being diagnosed with an asbestos-related cancer.

June Wright, from Tamworth in Staffordshire, was 74 when she was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a cancer in the lining of the lungs, on August 5, 2013.  She died just one day later.

During an inquest at Birmingham Coroners Court on March 31, 2014, Assistant Coroner Heidi Connor recorded a verdict of death caused by mesothelioma likely to have been caused by exposure to asbestos.

June’s daughter Lindsay Wright has instructed specialist industrial disease experts at Irwin Mitchell to investigate June’s former employers which include Valor, The S U Carburetter Co Limited, and The British Motor Corporation Limited / British Leyland.  June’s lawyers are seeking information about the presence of asbestos at the factories where June worked to see whether more could have been done to protect her.

June worked for Valor during the late 1950s as a machinist at Wood Lane in Erdington.  Valor manufactured fire heaters including gas fires which  probably contained asbestos components.

June then worked for the S U Caruburetter Co Limited in Bordesley Green, Birmingham throughout the 1960s.  She was one of many who worked on the lathes machining parts for carburetters.  There were boilers and pipes throughout the factory where she worked which were lagged with asbestos insulation.  June was exposed to asbestos during this period of employment as a result.

June moved on to work for the British Motor Corporation Limited / British Leyland from the late 1960s to 1980.  She worked at the Druids Lane site in Ward End.  June operated machines to build components for tractors and automobiles.  There were large boilers and pipes within the factory which were lagged with asbestos some of which were often in a poor state.  June was also exposed to asbestos during this period of employment.

Expert Opinion

“Lindsay has been left devastated at the loss of her mother. It was a complete shock to be told that her mother had a fatal asbestos illness the day before she passed away. It simply did not give Lindsay or the wider family any time to take in what had happened.

“We are keen to speak to anyone who worked at the companies mentioned during the period when June was employed. Any information from fellow colleagues or friends who worked alongside June could prove vital in securing the information we need to secure justice for June’s family.” Iain Shoolbred - Senior Associate Solicitor

Lindsay Wright commented: “Nothing will ever bring back my mum.  She was a hard worker her whole life and brought me up all by herself whilst holding down a number of jobs at any given time.  The dangers of asbestos were known about back then and it is only right that my mum’s past employers are held to account for their negligent actions.  Any help would be of huge support to me and my mum’s wider family.

“Not only will this help our case, but it may also be a light for other families who have lost loved ones as a result of asbestos exposure at these companies, who are reluctant to come forward.”

Anyone who thinks that they can help should contact Iain Shoolbred at Irwin Mitchell on 0121 214 5446 or email Iain.Shoolbread@IrwinMitchell.com

Our expert asbestos lawyers will provide you with free initial advice on your compensation claim if you or a loved one has suffered due to contracting mesothelioma. See our Mesothelioma Claims page for more information.