Expert Asbestos-Related Disease Lawyers Issue Court Proceedings as County Durham Man Battles for Answers
A former maintenance fitter from County Durham who is suffering from an asbestos-related cancer has taken an important step towards getting the answers he needs after lawyers at Irwin Mitchell issued court proceedings against his former employers on his behalf.
David Bennett, 63, who is now retired and lives in Croxdale, was diagnosed with mesothelioma in March 2016. Mesothelioma is a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos decades ago.
David instructed a team of expert asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate how and where he was exposed to asbestos dust and fibres and whether more could have been done to protect him. Now his legal team have issued formal court proceedings against his former employers after they refused to admit liability for his illness.
With the backing of Irwin Mitchell, David is appealing for former colleagues who worked with him during 1969 and 1975, at Smart and Brown (Engineers) Limited and Smart and Brown Lighting Limited, which were subsidiaries of Thorn Domestic Appliances Ltd, a company which was subsequently sold to Electrolux PLC.
The company was a major employer in the Spennymoor, County Durham area during 1969 to 1975, employing around 5,000 people. The firm manufactured domestic appliances, including washing machines, fridges and freezers.
Roger Maddocks, a Partner and expert industrial disease lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, said:
Expert Opinion
“Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive form of cancer that’s caused by exposure to asbestos dust decades ago and it can cause a great deal of pain and suffering for victims like David.
“All too often we see a case like David’s where workers spent time working environments where they were exposed to asbestos dust and were not made aware, by their employers, of the dangers of asbestos dust. It can take decades for symptoms to develop and often it is then difficult for victims to recall in detail how and where they were exposed.
“We are committed to getting answers for David, and are assisting him by investigating conditions at his former employers. We have been left with no choice but to issue legal proceedings in the High Court in the hope David, and his wife, Patricia, will get the answers they want.” Roger Maddocks - Partner
David, who has been married to Patricia for 39 years, said: “My mesothelioma diagnosis really did knock me back, and now I am worried about what the future holds for me and Patricia as my condition gets worse. Finding out that my mesothelioma may have been caused by exposure to asbestos while I was working simply added insult to injury.
“My former employers never warned the staff of the dangers of asbestos dust.
“I instructed my legal team to investigate where exactly I was exposed to asbestos and if my former employers could have prevented my exposure to it by taking the appropriate safety measures. If you do have any information that could aid this investigation, please do get in touch.”
Anyone with information should contact Sonia Akram 0191 279 0719 or email Roger.Maddocks@IrwinMitchell.com.
Our expert personal injury claims team will provide you with free initial advice on your compensation claim if you or a loved one has suffered due to asbestos related diseases. See our Asbestos Claims page for more information.