Mesothelioma

Leading Newcastle law firm Irwin Mitchell is looking for former colleagues of a Newcastle woman who died of Mesothelioma in March.

Jean Longstaff (nee Butterfield), 72, from Fawdon, was diagnosed with Mesothelioma caused by exposure to asbestos in December 2007 after first noticing symptoms in Spring 2007. She sadly died on March 30th, 2008.

Mrs Longstaff was exposed to asbestos while working at John Taylor Dunford & Co's factory on the Quayside in Newcastle in the 1950s.

She was employed by John Taylor Dunford at their factory on the Quayside in Newcastle for around four years from May 1953 until May 1957, making asbestos-filled "mattresses" to insulate tanks on board ships.

She was never warned of the dangers of asbestos while working for John Taylor Dunford and was frequently exposed to asbestos dust without being provided with a mask.

Now her lawyer Roger Maddocks, industrial disease partner at Irwin Mitchell, has urged people to come forward as witnesses to assist in a compensation claim and says anyone who worked at the company may be able to help.

He said: "Jean's family has been left devastated by what has happened. It is always difficult to come to terms with the effects of any terminal disease, but the speed and ferocity with which Mesothelioma acts is shocking.

"The risks to health from exposure to asbestos dust have been well known for decades. The company should have been well aware of the risks of exposing Jean and her fellow workers to asbestos dust at the time.

"Had they taken appropriate precautions and complied with their legal duties Jean and her family would have been spared the effects of this devastating illness.

"We are interested in talking to anyone who was employed at John Taylor Dunford in the 1950s or later. Whether or not they knew Jean they may well be able to provide information that would assist with her compensation claim."

Anyone that can help should contact Roger Maddocks or Jennifer Tait at Irwin Mitchell on 0191 2790095.