Specialist Industrial Disease Lawyers At Irwin Mitchell Investigating Asbestos Exposure

A widow whose husband spent 25 years working as a teacher is appealing to his former colleagues for help in her battle for justice after an inquest confirmed he died from mesothelioma, a terminal cancer of the lining of the lungs caused by exposure to asbestos decades ago.

Steven Johnson, from Leeds, West Yorkshire started to suffer from symptoms in late 2015/early 2016.  Steven knew something was wrong and after receiving a full body scan as part of a biobank health scheme, he was told there was something wrong and a biopsy confirmed a diagnosis of mesothelioma. 

Before his death Steven instructed expert asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell’s Leeds office to help investigate when and where he was exposed to asbestos during his occupational history.  Steven spent the majority of his working life as a teacher and investigations focused on the schools that he worked in. 

Steven sadly died 6th September, 2016, and his widow is now continuing his legal case on his behalf and appealing to his former colleagues to help with Irwin Mitchell’s investigation.

During his employment with Leeds City Council as a teacher from 1973 to 1998, Steven recalled working in various schools where refurbishment works were being undertaken whilst they were required to carry on teaching.  

These schools (all located in Leeds) were St John Bosco High, later known as Cardinal Heenan High, Farnley Park High and Parklands Girls High School. Steven recalled that the schools were very dusty places and considered that he would have been exposed to asbestos whilst the building and maintenance works were being undertaken. Steven now regrettably joins the growing number of former school employees who are being diagnosed with the terminal cancer are dying. The latest figures available showed that over 300 school teachers have now died of mesothelioma since 1980, with 177 deaths since just 2001.

Nicola Handley, an expert asbestos-related disease lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Steven’s widow, said: 

Expert Opinion

“Mesothelioma is an aggressive and incurable cancer which has a significant impact on the lifestyle of those affected by it in their final months.

“The disease is usually associated with heavy industry, but we are seeing a growing number of school teachers being diagnosed with the disease due to the amount of public buildings such as schools that contained asbestos when built many years ago. Often the harmful asbestos is disturbed when these buildings are re-furbished.

“Steven’s widow June and his family have understandably been left devastated by his diagnosis and death want answers as to why and how he was exposed to asbestos.” Nicola Handley - Senior Associate Solicitor

June said: “I feel that the public should know about the hidden dangers that could lead to mesothelioma and other terrible industrial diseases. I was also a teacher and Steven and I both thought we were in a safe job, but now I find that we were both among a small but growing number of former school employees who find themselves affected by this terminal condition.

“No warnings, training or information was provided about the risks and dangers of potential asbestos exposure in schools and the regular maintenance work that was being undertaken to their structure and equipment contained within them. 

“I hope Steven’s former colleagues will come forward with the crucial information that my lawyers require to bring Steven’s former employers to justice.”

An Inquest was held on Tuesday 13th December 2016 and the Coroner gave a verdict of Industrial Disease.  

It was also noted during the Inquest that Steven had exposure to asbestos above that expected in the general population and the only way that exposure could have occurred was due to the lengthy period of time working in classrooms containing asbestos. 

Nicola added: 

Expert Opinion

“At Irwin Mitchell we have long campaigned for a risk register of asbestos contained within our public buildings such as town halls and schools so that it can be safely removed in a controlled way, starting with the most “at-risk” material. Many local authorities told a recent BBC report that they didn’t even know whether their schools contained asbestos. More needs to be done to prevent the situation getting any worse than it already is.” Nicola Handley - Senior Associate Solicitor

Anyone with information about the working conditions Steven was exposed to during his time working at St John Bosco High/Cardinal Heenan High, Farnley Park High and Parklands Girls High should contact Nicola Handley on 0113 220 6233 or email Nicola.Handley@IrwinMitchell.com.