Family Search For Answers Over Asbestos-Related Illness

The widow of a former driller who died on Boxing Day from asbestos-related cancer has made an emotional appeal for his former colleagues to come forward to help shed light on how he was exposed to the deadly material.

Jackie Headley, of Beaver Hill Road, Sheffield, has asked asbestos-related disease experts at Irwin Mitchell Solicitors to investigate whether her husband, Roger, was exposed to asbestos dust and fibres during his time at Ambrose Shardlow and Co Ltd, later known as GKN Shardlow Limited and now Bifranji UK Limited.

Roger worked as a driller on crankshafts at Ambrose Shardlow and Co on Grange Mill Lane, Meadowhall, for almost 40 years, from 1970 to 2009. He died on 26th December 2010 aged 65 after losing his battle with the asbestos-related terminal cancer, mesothelioma.

Mrs Headley said: “Losing Roger at Christmas time was exceptionally hard and the holidays will always be a reminder of our loss. He suffered a great deal due to his illness before he eventually passed away. His breathing deteriorated and he quickly became less active and mobile. It was heartbreaking having to watch him suffer.

“Nothing can bring him back to us but we just want to get to the bottom of where he was exposed to asbestos. If anyone remembers working with him, I urge them to come forward and help us.”

Keith Hague, a workplace illness specialist at Irwin Mitchell, said: “Mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer which has devastating effects for victims like Roger and their families. Because it can take up to 30 or 40 years to develop, it can sometimes be difficult to assess where somebody was exposed to asbestos.

“Irwin Mitchell has extensive experience in representing mesothelioma victims and are keen to help their families get the justice they deserve. This can be difficult due to the time difference between the initial ingestion of asbestos dust and when the disease surfaces, which is why anyone who may have information is key to helping Mrs. Headley.

“We want to talk to Roger’s former colleagues to find out more about the working conditions at Ambrose Shardlow and Co Ltd. Any piece of information, no matter how small, could aid us in helping Roger’s family.”

Anyone who believes they could be able to help with the investigation should contact Keith Hague on 0370 1500 100 or at keith.hague@irwinmitchell.com.