Appeal Made In Battle For Justice

The wife of a retired Worcester man, who died from an aggressive asbestos related cancer, is hoping fellow colleagues may have vital clues which will help in her search for justice.

Keith Russell from Worcester is believed to have come into contact with asbestos when he worked at Hardy and Padmore Ltd for two years in the early 1960s.  Keith first began to suffer from symptoms in December 2009, he developed a cough and his breathing deteriorated.

He was diagnosed on 16 March 2010 with mesothelioma, a cancer of the chest lining caused by exposure to lethal asbestos fibres. He died on 27 December 2010 at the age of 65 from the asbestos related cancer, mesothelioma. An inquest was held on 10 March 2011 before HM Coroner Mr G U Williams LLB, Coroner for Worcester, who recorded a verdict of industrial disease.

Keith is known to have worked for Hardy and Padmore Ltd from 1963 to 1965 where he undertook fabrication work. The building he worked in had two furnaces which were covered with asbestos, the factory also had boilers and drying kilns which contained asbestos.

Following the asbestos cancer diagnosis, his widow Mrs Russell is determined to fight for justice. Even though the company has now ceased trading Mrs Russell has launched a search to find Hardy and Padmore Ltd workers who may be able to explain how her husband came into contact with asbestos.

She said: “We had a very happy marriage and have two sons, a daughter and three grandchildren who miss him terribly. His illness came as a huge shock to us as he’d always been a very fit and active man. I cared for Keith during his illness and to see him suffer everyday was devastating.

Kim Barrett, a workplace illness expert with the Birmingham Office of Irwin Mitchell solicitors, who represents Mrs Russell, said: “We know that Keith died from an industrial disease but in order to obtain justice for his family, I need to hear from people who have information concerning the working practices and presence of asbestos in buildings owned or used by Hardy & Padmore Ltd between 1963 and 1965.

Anyone able to help can contact Kim Barrett at Irwin Mitchell on 0121 214 5407 or kim.barrett@irwinmitchell.com