Specialist Asbestos Lawyers Appeal To Former Colleagues For Information

The elderly widow of a former Leeds-based maintenance man is appealing to her husband’s former colleagues to come forward with information on their working conditions, after being diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease.

Mrs Annie Place, known to friends and family as Nancy, who is 85 and currently living in Pudsey, has instructed specialist asbestos experts at law firm Irwin Mitchell to investigate her case as it is believed that Nancy may have been exposed to asbestos through washing her husband’s work clothing decades ago.

Exposure to asbestos can lead to people, such as Nancy, developing mesothelioma in later life. Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the lungs caused by inhaling asbestos dust but it takes decades for the symptoms to appear.

Rowland, who sadly passed away 11 years ago from lung cancer, married Nancy in 1951 when he was working as a french polisher and shop fitter for various employers. Rowland, known as Rowly to his friends, then worked as a maintenance man for Executex, also known as Black & Luper, a tailoring factory in Leeds on Kirkstall Road, from 1962 until 1971. 

Following this, Rowland worked as a machine operator at Howson Aligraphy, which over the years was also known as Eastman Colour, DuPont and Vickers, from 1971 to 1989.

Nancy’s expert solicitors at Irwin Mitchell are looking to speak to some of Rowland’s former colleagues, from any of his former employers, to find out about his working conditions and to try and establish where he may have come into contact with asbestos.

Ian Toft, an expert in asbestos related disease cases at Irwin Mitchell, who is acting for Nancy, said: 

Expert Opinion

“We would like to hear from Rowland’s former colleagues as they may have additional information about the presence of asbestos and working conditions that could help in Nancy’s legal battle. She has understandably been left devastated by not only losing Rowland, but also her own recent mesothelioma diagnosis.

“Mesothelioma is an asbestos-related disease for which there is sadly no cure. Despite employers being well aware of the risks associated with the material since the 1930s, we are still regularly contacted by families who have lost loved ones because they were exposed to asbestos without the necessary protective equipment or clothing.” Ian Toft - Partner

Nancy, a grandmother of two, said: “When I was told my diagnosis, I was distraught, but knowing the cause of my illness may be due to Rowly’s former employers is a particularly bitter pill to swallow. I lost him due to lung problems 11 years ago and now I’m suffering from similar issues.

“I’m hoping his former colleagues will get in touch as they may have extra information that could help in my battle for justice.  Anyone at all who worked with Rowland, or any of the employers mentioned, could hold useful information for my solicitors to complete their investigation.”

Anyone who thinks they may be able to help should contact Ian Toft on 0113 218 6453 or email Ian.Toft@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.