Industrial Illness Specialists At Law Firm Irwin Mitchell Working With Family in Battle for Justice
The daughter of a former engineering worker who died of the asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma is appealing for his former work colleagues to help investigate how he was exposed to the deadly dust.
Ian Ivinson, of Thornhill, Dewsbury, was found dead at his home in Malta in May 2012 after his worried daughter Catherine contacted Maltese police, having been unable to get hold of her father.
The 66 year old’s death was recorded in Malta as being due to a pulmonary odema but when his body was returned to the UK a post-mortem, requested by the coroner, revealed the actual cause of death was mesothelioma due to industrial exposure to asbestos.
Specialist industrial illness lawyers at Irwin Mitchell are now working with Catherine to investigate where and when he was exposed to the deadly dust.
Ian began working for Jonas Woodhead Limited as a draftsman in 1963 and performed various roles over the next 20 years, progressing eventually to technical manager when he left in 1995. But, despite being office based, it is believed he often spent time on the factory floor working near the furnaces used to manufacture ironwork and automobile springs.
The team at Irwin Mitchell investigating Ian’s case are keen to speak to anybody who worked in the Jonas Woodhead and Sons factories in Leeds, Sheffield, or Newton Aycliffe and who might be able to confirm the presence of asbestos on the factory floor, particularly in the furnaces.
“We’re keen to speak to anybody who worked at Jonas Woodhead and Sons between 1963 and 1995 as we believe they may hold vital evidence about the presence of asbestos and the condition of the furnaces within the company’s factories.”
Mr Ivinson’s daughter, Catherine Lowdon, said: “Mesothelioma is a horrible illness and it is shocking to think that my dad may have suffered from it due to the dedication he had for his work. He had known for some time that something was wrong with him and the breathlessness he suffered from had really started to impact on his quality of life.
“Dad had been in the process of investigating whether he had mesothelioma at the time of his death and now I want to make sure we find out how and why he was exposed to the asbestos dust.
Expert Opinion
Mesothelioma is an industrial illness for which there is sadly no cure. Companies have been well aware of the dangers of asbestos since as far back as the 1950s and certainly by the 1970s, so there is no excuse for the workers or members of the public not being protected from the evil dust.” Ian Bailey - Partner
Anyone who thinks they can help is asked to contact Ian Bailey at Irwin Mitchell on 0370 1500 100 or email Ian.Bailey@irwinmitchell.com.
Read more on Irwin Mitchell's expertise relating to mesothelioma claims