Asbestos related lung disease

The family of an Oldbury man, who has been diagnosed with an asbestos related lung disease, is hoping former workmates may be able to help provide vital information to aid his legal battle for compensation.

84-year-old Carmelo Giorgio from Oldbury was employed for more than 40 years by paint manufacturers, Albright & Wilson. Mr Giorgio, known as "George" to his colleagues, worked in the firm’s TCP plant until his retirement in 1987.

Mr Giorgio, who has five children, 11 grandchildren and one great-grand child, was diagnosed with asbestosis around three years ago.

His daughter, Annette Giorgio-Jones said: "My Dad was brought over to England by Albright & Wilson back in the 1950s. The company was short of people to work in its factories and brought in a large number of immigrant workers from Italy and Poland.

"My Dad had always been a very fit and active man but in the past few years he began to suffer with chest problems. It came as a big shock to the whole family when he was diagnosed with asbestosis and it has been terrible watching Dad slowly succumb to this disease which is causing him a great deal of suffering."

Iain Shoolbred, a Solicitor with Birmingham law firm, Irwin Mitchell, is representing Mr Giorgio. He explained: "Sadly, for the past few years, Mr Giorgio has also been suffering from Alzheimer's disease and so he has very little recollection of his working life.

We are trying to piece together details which will help us discover how he was exposed to asbestos, which has now led to him suffering from this extremely painful and debilitating lung disease.

"We very much hope that people who may have worked alongside Mr Giorgio at Albright & Wilson or who worked at the company between the late 1950s and the late 1980s will come forward as they may have vital information which will help us with our enquiries."

Anybody who has information regarding working practices and conditions at Albright & Wilson should contact Iain Shoolbred at Irwin Mitchell on 0370 1500 100, or iain.shoolbred@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.