Lawyer Urges Witnesses To Come Forward

The devastated children of a man who died from mesothelioma are appealing for his former work colleagues to come forward to help in their battle for justice on behalf of their ‘loving father’.

Devoted dad of five, grandfather of ten and great grandfather of two, Owen Griffiths, of Gwynedd North Wales, was 75 when he died in August 2009 from mesothelioma - a cancer caused by exposure to deadly asbestos dust.

Now his family, along with their lawyer, Geraldine Coombs, partner and asbestos specialist at Irwin Mitchell solicitors in Manchester, are appealing for people who may have worked with Owen at building firm Donald Cameron (Builders) Ltd during the 1960s to get in touch.

Geraldine said: “Before he died, Owen – who was known to his friends as Ozzy –  told his family  that when he was working as a labourer for building firm Donald Cameron’s he came into contact with asbestos at the army camps in Morfa and Tonfanau in Gwynedd, North Wales. 

“Ozzy also worked for K E Hamer’s and Williams (Electrical Engineers) Ltd in the 1960s but his family have very little information about what work he did for them.

“The sad fact is that many workers in the 1960s were exposed to asbestos through no fault of their own. They often developed serious, debilitating health problems in later life as was tragically the case for Ozzy.

“We are very keen to talk to anyone with information about working at the army camps in Morfa and Tonfanau in the 1960s, especially anyone who worked for the builders Donald Cameron’s.  We are trying to find out more about how Ozzy came into contact with asbestos and would like to hear from anyone who worked with him.”

Ozzy’s daughter Jacqueline Roberts said: “Towards the end of his life Dad was very ill and had to spend his last nine weeks in hospital in Tywyn which was heartbreaking for us all as we wanted him to be at home, but he was just too sick. 

“He worked hard to provide for his family all his life and it is very upsetting to think that his work may have been responsible for his death.   As a family we want answers and for justice to be done so we can try to move on with our lives as best we can.”

Geraldine adds: “Thousands of people die from mesothelioma every year as a result of negligence many years ago by their employers even though the dangers of asbestos were known from at least the early part of the last century.

“It’s unacceptable that anyone should be put in danger through just doing a day’s work and we will fight for justice for each and every client who falls victim to this dreadful disease.”

Anyone who can help with information is asked to contact Geraldine Coombs at Irwin Mitchell LLP on 0161 838 3059 or email geraldine.coombs@irwinmitchell.com