Birmingham Industrial Disease Experts Investigating Exposure To Asbestos At Walsall Factory

The family of a Walsall man who died from mesothelioma – an incurable cancer caused by exposure to asbestos decades ago – are hoping their husband and father’s former colleagues will come forward with information as they search for answers following his death.

John Farmer, died at the age of 84 in August 2013, after a year-long battle with the disease and the HM Coroner for the Black Country returned a conclusion of death by an industrial disease at an inquest on 13 March 2014.

Now, his widow Jill, 75, and his daughters, Linda and Wendy have instructed specialist asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate how and where he was exposed to the material during his working life.

Before his death, John believed he had been exposed to asbestos while working as a die caster at the Aluminium Bronze Company Limited, in Wallows Lane, Walsall, where he worked from 1959 and 1980.

He recalled the foundry building he worked in containing asbestos, as many buildings did between the 1960s and 80s, in the roof structure and also the pipework of the building.

His devastated family and their legal team at Irwin Mitchell would like to hear from any of John’s former colleagues who can provide information on the presence of asbestos at the site, or details on the working conditions and safety measures put in place to prevent workers coming into contact with the hazardous asbestos dust and fibres.

Satinder Bains, a Partner and expert asbestos-related disease lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing the family, said:

Expert Opinion

“We know from experience that many factory buildings contained asbestos in the roofing and pipework and that this material was often left in a poor state of repair, which may have left workers at risk of a number of serious diseases and illnesses, including mesothelioma.

“In the UK more than 2,500 people die every year from mesothelioma and the disease can cause a great deal of pain and suffering for victims like John. His family have been left devastated by his death and they are now looking for answers about how and where he was exposed to the asbestos that caused his mesothelioma to develop.

“We would like to hear from anyone who worked alongside John at Aluminium Bronze Company Limited who can provide details of the presence of asbestos at the factory and the measures, if any, out in place to protect workers from the harmful substance.” Satinder Bains - Partner

John’s daughter Linda, aged 53, said: “It was absolutely terrible for us to see Dad go through so much pain and suffering as he battled mesothelioma. To find out the disease may have been caused by his exposure to asbestos at work has left us with a number of unanswered questions.

“We are now appealing to his former colleagues to help us understand how he was exposed to asbestos at work and what was done to protect him and those who worked alongside him.”

Anyone with information on working conditions at Aluminium Bronze Company Limited in Walsall should contact on 0121 214 5281 or email Satinder.Bains@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.