Specialist Lawyers Are Investigating Asbestos Exposure After Man Diagnosed With Mesothelioma

A former textile mill maintenance man, who has been diagnosed with the asbestos-related cancer, mesothelioma, is appealing to his former colleagues for help after instructing specialist industrial illness lawyers to investigate whether more could have been done by his former employers to protect him.

Brian Newby, 84 from Skelmanthorpe, Huddersfield, was diagnosed with mesothelioma in November 2016. Mesothelioma is a fatal disease that affects the inner lining of the lungs and is caused by exposure to asbestos decades before symptoms including pain, breathlessness and weight loss, appear.

Brian, a widower, instructed expert industrial disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate how and when he was exposed to asbestos with the initial focus on his former workplaces.

He was employed by Edwin Field & Sons, a textile manufacturer that employed over 100 people, from 1963 to 1986.

After initially working as a flatbed operator, driving flatbed trucks and distributing rugs, Brian was employed as a maintenance man in the company’s mill which was based at Skelmanthorpe from 1964 onwards.

Together, Brian and his legal team at Irwin Mitchell are appealing to his former colleagues at Edwin Field & Sons Limited for information on the working conditions at the Mill.

Brian has recalled to his legal team that around the factory there were a number of pipes which were lagged with asbestos, which would have to be removed for maintenance work and repairs to be carried out. This would create a lot of dust that would linger in the air and get on the workers’ clothes.

In his role as a maintenance man, Brian would be called on to cover the boiler man at times and would help to maintain a Lancashire boiler which was also lagged with asbestos. Brian recalled having to sweep up in the boiler house as the floor would be covered in asbestos dust.

Brian, who was married to his wife Betty for 54 years, said: “My diagnosis came as a complete shock to me and I was angry and frustrated to find out that it was likely caused by my exposure to asbestos during my working life. At no point was I given any training or warned about the dangers of asbestos.

“The disease has already had a significant impact on my day-to-day life. I am grateful to my four grandchildren and daughter-in-law as they help me around the house and take me shopping.  I am concerned about what the future holds for me and my family as my condition inevitably worsens.

“I urge any of my former colleagues at Edwin Field & Sons Limited to contact my legal team at Irwin Mitchell if they feel they can provide any details that can help this investigation and help my lawyers get justice for me and ensure those responsible for my exposure to asbestos are held to account.”

Before being diagnosed with mesothelioma, Brian’s health began deteriorate and he developed pains in his chest. He is now looked after by his daughter-in-law and four grandchildren.

Nicola Handley, expert industrial disease lawyer who is representing Brian said:

Expert Opinion

“We need help from Brian’s former colleagues. We believe that he was exposed to asbestos during the course of his employment with Edwin Field & Sons Limited but we need more information to support his account.

“Mesothelioma is a debilitating and fatal disease. What is worse is that it is caused by exposure to asbestos and that from around the 1950s onwards the majority of employers knew about the associated risks of asbestos but sadly some did not take necessary preventative actions to protect their employees against the risks of asbestos.” Nicola Handley - Senior Associate Solicitor

Anybody who can assist Brian should contact Nicola Handley at Irwin Mitchell on 0113 220 6233 or email Nicola.Handley@irwinmitchell.com.