Expert Lawyers Investigating Asbestos Exposure That Caused Mesothelioma

A former Commercial Manager in Durham, who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, an asbestos-related cancer, is appealing for his former colleagues to help expert lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate whether more could have been done by his former employers to protect him.

Paul Bennett, 63, from Stokesley, Middlesbrough, was previously fit and well until he was diagnosed with mesothelioma, an incurable asbestos-related cancer affecting the lining of the lungs which develops as a result of exposure to harmful dust and fibres decades ago, in February this year.

Father-of-two Paul has instructed industrial illness experts at Irwin Mitchell to investigate where he was exposed to asbestos and why he wasn’t provided with adequate safety equipment to protect him during his employment at various companies.

Together, Paul and his specialist asbestos disease lawyers believe he was exposed to asbestos at numerous places throughout his employment history. They are primarily appealing to his former colleagues at Elementis Pigments, Rockwood Pigments and Huntsman Pigments & Additives at the Berkley Site in Durham.

They are also keen to talk to Paul’s former colleagues from Chemical Process & Developments (Subsequently Venture Chemicals), on Tessa Road in Reading and British Anhydrous Amonia Company Limited, a subsidiary of Ellis & Everard Exports, which subsequently became Univar, on Radford Road, Billericay.

Paul was employed by Huntsman Pigments and Additives, formerly Rockwood Pigments and Elementis Pigments from 2001 up until his retirement last year at the firm’s Birtley site in Mary Avenue, Birtley, Durham.

During Paul’s employment there was a discovery of asbestos on site, which led to extensive precautions being taken including bringing in specialised contractors who were using appropriate protective equipment. Paul’s legal team are keen to speak to his former colleagues about the extent of the asbestos at the site prior to contractors being brought in.

Paul, who has been married to his wife Deborah for 38 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 and 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 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.”

Paul worked for Chemical Process & Developments from 1972 to 1976 as a Trainee Buyer while also gaining experience as a Process Worker. The firm made a variety of chemical products including Dylon dyes, bleach, baby shampoo concentrate for Johnson & Johnson and pesticides.

The factory would be dusty as the vessels and pipework were lagged in asbestos and when maintenance was carried out it would involve the lagging being pulled off the by hand. Paul has recalled to his legal team that he may have been exposed to the harmful dust when it would be swept up off the floor and would sometimes hang in the air.

One final line of appeal is Paul’s former colleagues at Ellis & Everard Exports. Although Paul was employed by Ellis & Everard Exports, which subsequently became Univar, from 1976 to 1998, his legal team are particularly keen to speak to his former colleagues who worked with him at the firm’s base at Radford Road, Billericay, between 1984 to 1994.

Shortly after moving to the Billericay base, Paul recalls that alterations were carried out at the office. These included moving the walls of the existing office and creating three additional offices using a kind of plasterboard, which Paul believes may have had an asbestos content. The plasterboards had to be cut to size which created a lot of dust which would cover people’s desks.

Roger Maddocks, a Partner and industrial disease specialist at Irwin Mitchell who is representing Paul, said: 

Expert Opinion

“We are working with Paul in his fight for justice to find out how he was exposed to asbestos.

“We urge any of his former colleagues to come forward and help us with the investigation by providing any information about the working conditions at Chemical Process & Developments, Ellis & Everard Exports Ltd and Huntsman.

“Mesothelioma is incurable and its debilitating symptoms can only be treated temporarily. Paul and his family are now suffering terribly, simply because he wasn’t adequately protected at work.” Roger Maddocks - Partner

Anyone who worked with Paul and can provide any information is asked to contact Sonia Akram at Irwin Mitchell on 0191 4340719 or email sonia.akram@irwinmitchell.com.