Expert Asbestos-Related Disease Lawyers Investigating Asbestos Exposure

The family of a former production foreman who died from mesothelioma, an incurable cancer caused by exposure to asbestos decades ago, is appealing to his former workmates to come forward with crucial information.

Eric Victor Gooch, who lived in Eccleston, Chorley and who was a lifelong Evertonian, died at the age of 81 in August 2015, just a few months after he was diagnosed with the disease.

His two children, Valda Pearson and Barry Gooch, have instructed expert industrial disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate how and where their father came into contact with the asbestos dust that caused his death.

When Eric left school he went to work in a hardware store and then he got an apprenticeship to train as a painter decorator with a firm called Molyneux Limited in Merseyside.

From about 1959 until his retirement in the 1990s Eric worked in the AC-Delco factory on Moorgate Road in Kirkby, Merseyside. AC-Delco was part of General Motors and manufactured car parts in the factory where Eric worked. His family believe it was at AC-Delco where he was exposed to asbestos.

One of Eric’s jobs in the factory was to make autometers and speedometers for cars. His children believe there were asbestos lagged pipes in the factory and that components he handled on the production line may have contained asbestos. 

Valda and Barry, with the backing of their legal team at Irwin Mitchell, are appealing to anyone who worked at the AC-Delco factory who has information about asbestos there to come forward and help them with answers. 

Geraldine Coombs, an expert industrial disease lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, said:

Expert Opinion

“Eric died very soon after his diagnosis with mesothelioma so he was unable to give information himself about his time at the AC-Delco factory in Kirkby and full details about how he came into contact with asbestos at work.

“We would like to speak to anyone who worked at AC Delco between the 1950’s and 1990’s, particularly anyone with information about asbestos.

“Mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer which is almost always caused by asbestos exposure. The dangers of asbestos have been known for a very long time and we hope by issuing this appeal that we can help Eric’s family get the answers they want about his exposure to asbestos.” Geraldine Coombs - Partner

Valda said: “Losing my father through mesothelioma was extremely difficult for all the family.  It is extremely upsetting to know that his death could have been prevented if he had been provided with protection from asbestos dust and that a company he dedicated 30 years of his life to could have caused it.”

Anyone who thinks they may be able to help is asked to contact Geraldine Coombs at Irwin Mitchell on 0161 838 3061 or email Geraldine.coombs@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.