James Ford Died Within Two Months Of Being Diagnosed With Cancer

The widow of an ex ICI Wilton supervisor is appealing to his former colleagues for information about working conditions at the firm’s plant in Cleveland after his sudden death from the asbestos-related cancer, mesothelioma.

Eileen Ford lost her husband of 53 years, James Ford in August last year, less than two months after he was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a terminal cancer caused by exposure to harmful asbestos dust decades before.

Eileen instructed expert asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell after James, who was known to his friends and family as ‘Jim’ or ‘Jimmy’, told her that he had been exposed to the deadly substance during his employment at ICI Wilton in Cleveland.

Jim worked for the company from 1974 to 1992, starting as a Packer and Fork Lift Truck Driver, before becoming a Process Operator and ultimately held the position of Shift Production Supervisor.

During his employment, Jim worked across numerous plants, including the Polythene Plant and Polypropylene Plants 2, 3 and 5, in which Jim believed the pumps, valves and pipework systems to all be lagged with asbestos. 

Eileen, mother of Julie and Stephen, said: “I urge any of Jim’s former colleagues to come forward with any details of the working conditions at the ICI Wilton plants during the time of Jim’s employment there.

“Jim was sports mad. He played football until he was 60 and regularly played golf, tennis and bowls but his illness took hold so quickly, there was very little time to get answers or justice for him while he was alive.

“Jim was convinced that asbestos was present in the plants he worked on at ICI Wilton. He would often return home covered in dust which we now believe was asbestos dust. So if anyone who used to work with Jim, or at the ICI Wilton plants between 1974 and 1992, can provide information that would be helpful to the legal team at Irwin Mitchell, it would mean a lot to me and my family”.

Jim first began to feel unwell in April this year, and was diagnosed with mesothelioma on 28th June. It was decided at the time that his health had deteriorated to a level where he was deemed not strong enough to endure chemotherapy, and on 25th July Jim was admitted to Teesside Hospice, where he stayed until he passed away on 25th August.

Roger Maddocks, a Partner and expert industrial disease lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, said: 

Expert Opinion

“Unfortunately, we often see cases like Jim’s where victims were unaware they were battling mesothelioma until the very end of their lives.

“Mesothelioma is an extremely aggressive, unforgiving, and sadly terminal cancer caused by asbestos exposure decades before symptoms develop. All too often we see a case like this where workers spent time working in environments where they were exposed to asbestos dust and were not made aware, by their employers, of the dangers of asbestos dust.

“Anyone with information about working conditions at the ICI Wilton plants in Teesside, particularly anyone who may remember working with Jim, should contact us as soon as possible.”
Roger Maddocks - Partner

Anyone with information please contact Michael McGowan on 0191 279 0104 or email Michael.McGowan@IrwinMitchell.com.

If you or a loved one has been affected by an asbestos related illness, our asbestos solicitors can help you to claim compensation. Read our Asbestos-Related Disease Claims Guide for more information.