Lawyers Investigating Whether Illness Is Linked To Washing Work Overalls

A former landlady from Pontefract who believes she developed asbestos-related disease as a result of washing her ex-husband’s overalls is calling on his former workmates to come forward and help her gain answers regarding her illness.

Pamela Ogley, 74, sought medical help after developing a persistent cough at the start of this year, but was left stunned in March when she was diagnosed with mesothelioma – a cancer of the lining of the lung commonly associated with exposure to asbestos.

Following the news, Pamela instructed industrial disease experts at Irwin Mitchell to investigate how she came into contact with the material. 

As part of their work, they are now calling for anyone who worked with Pamela’s former husband John Jackson at C A Parsons in Ferrybridge in the 1960s to come forward and shed light on the potential presence of asbestos at the site. Pamela believes she is most likely to have been exposed to the material when washing John’s dusty overalls after his shifts.

Oliver Collett, the asbestos-related disease lawyer at Irwin Mitchell’s Leeds office who is representing Pamela, said: “While asbestos exposure is most commonly linked to working in industrial environments, sadly we see many cases in which those who have developed mesothelioma believe they came into contact with the material indirectly by washing clothes.

“We are determined to ensure that Pamela gains justice in relation to her illness and would urge anyone with information regarding C A Parsons to come forward and help us secure the answers that she deserves.”

Pamela had been generally fit and well until she developed her cough at the start of this year. She was referred for an X-ray and then a CT scan at Dewsbury Hospital, with a subsequent biopsy then confirming she had mesothelioma.

Looking back on her ex-husband’s work history, she recalled that he worked as a driver at C A Parsons in and around 1965 and also remembered that he used to wear general issue brown and blue overalls throughout his time at the company.

She said: “John used to travel to and from work in his overalls and when he came home he was always covered in dust. As a result, I had to wash them after each shift and I think this is when I came into contact with asbestos dust.

“It has been devastating to learn of my illness and want some answers regarding how it has developed. Any information from anyone who worked at C A Parsons could prove absolutely vital to my case.”

Anyone with information which may assist this case is asked to contact Oliver Collett at Irwin Mitchell on 0113 234 3333 or email Oliver.Collett@IrwinMitchell.com.

Read more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in mesothelioma claims.