Newcastle-Based Industrial Disease Lawyers Investigating Asbestos Exposure

The family of a Hebburn man who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, an incurable form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos, is appealing to his former colleagues for help after instructing expert industrial disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate how and where he came into contact with the material.

Ronald Flowdy, 94, was diagnosed with the disease in June 2016 after suffering with shortness of breath and chest pains. Sadly, he passed away on 3 September 2016.

His two children, Angela Tilley and Roy Flowdy, have instructed expert asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate how their father came into contact with asbestos and if more could and should have been done to protect him from the health risks associated with the substance.

They believe their father was exposed to asbestos while he worked for A Reyrolle & Company Limited in Hebburn.

Ronald, who served in the RAF during the Second World War, spent all of his working life at the company, except for the time he spent in the armed forces.

His children are now appealing to his former colleagues to come forward and help with their legal team’s investigation into his asbestos exposure following their father’s death.

Experts at Irwin Mitchell would like information on the presence of asbestos at the Hebburn premises and details of the warnings and protection in place for staff from the 1930s to the 1970s.

Ronald carried out his apprenticeship as an electrical fitter, before becoming a production engineer and senior production engineer at the firm. His final years at

A Reyrolle & Company Limited saw him working in the relay division, heading up the product development workshop.

His son Roy, who also started work at the firm in the 1970s, said the firm manufactured switchgear and motors and that asbestos was commonly used in the electrical manufacturing process from the 1930s until the 1970s.

Roger Maddocks, a Partner and expert asbestos-related disease lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, said:

Expert Opinion

“Asbestos exposure can cause a range of health complications for victims, with mesothelioma being one of the most serious and aggressive diseases that can cause a great deal of pain and suffering for those affected.

“Due to the length of time it takes for symptoms to develop we see a number of cases, like Ronald’s, where victims of the disease are elderly and unable to remember exact details of their exposure to asbestos decades previously.

“We know from experience that asbestos was commonly used in this industry and Ronald’s children are keen to hear from those who worked with their father as they continue to look for answers to explain the health problems their dad is now suffering with.

“We would like to hear from anyone who worked at A Reyolle & Company Limited from the 1930s up until the 1970s in the hope they can provide details on the presence of asbestos and what measures, if any, were in place to protect staff.” Roger Maddocks - Partner

Ronald’s son Roy said: “By the time I took up a job at A Reyolle & Company Limited working practices had changed since my dad started working there. I know that he would have been heavily involved in the manufacturing of switchgear and motors and that asbestos was regularly used during the process.

“His diagnosis of mesothelioma has come as a huge shock to all of us and we hope his former colleagues will come forward and provide any details they have about his exposure to asbestos at work.

Anyone with information about working practices at A Reyolle & Company Limited between the 1930s and 1970s should contact Michael McGowan on 0191 434 0704 or alternatively email michael.mcgowan@irwinmitchell.com.