Expert Asbestos-Related Disease Lawyers Investigating Asbestos Exposure That Caused Mesothelioma

A former prescription pricing clerk from Newcastle has instructed expert asbestos-related disease lawyers to investigate where she was exposed to the harmful substance after being diagnosed with mesothelioma.

Ann Elizabeth Bell (nee Hetherington), 67, who now lives in Heaton, was diagnosed with mesothelioma in January this year. Mesothelioma is a cancer affecting the lining of the lungs caused by asbestos exposure often decades before symptoms show.

Ann has instructed a team of expert asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate how and where she was exposed to the harmful dust and fibres and whether more could have been done to protect her.

Due to Ann’s employment not involving direct contact with asbestos, her legal team are investigating how exactly she came into contact with the substance and as such are casting a wide net in their appeal for witnesses.

With the backing of Irwin Mitchell, Ann is appealing to former colleagues who worked with her at Donkin & Co in 1966, where she was employed as a Costing Clerk. The company used to manufacture steering gear for ships and was based on Old Shields Road, Byker.

In addition, Ann is also appealing to her former colleagues at the Joint Pricing Committee for England, later known as The Prescription Pricing Authority. Ann joined in 1966 and was originally based at Newcastle Number 2 Bureau, Newgate Street before the office relocated a few years later to Bridge House, Pilgrim Street, still in Newcastle City Centre. Ann finished working here in December 1978.

Her legal team are also keen to talk to any of her husband Ian’s former colleagues. Ann and Ian, 65, met in 1973 and married in 1975, when Ian was working in Gateshead for Osram, a light bulb manufacturer, as an electrical technician. Ian worked for Osram, based at Team Valley Trading Estate, between 1973 and 1984.

As mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure decades previous to the person being diagnosed, her legal team are keen to talk to former teachers and classmates of Ann. Ann attended East Walker Infant and Junior School, on Welbeck Road in Walker, between 1954 and 1960. Between 1960 and 1966, Ann attended Middle Street School in Walker, later named Walker Technical High when the school altered from an all-girls school to a mixed school.

A final line of investigation for Ann’s legal team is that she may have been exposed to asbestos in the houses where she grew up, which were on Wharfedale Place, Walker, and Borrowdale Avenue, Walkergate. Ann believes asbestos may have been used in the construction of these houses, but due to her young age at the time, she cannot recall seeing the substance.

Emma Tordoff, a Solicitor and expert industrial disease lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Ann, said: 

Expert Opinion

“Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer, caused by exposure to asbestos dust decades ago, which can cause a great deal of pain and suffering for victims like Ann.

“The fact that we are as yet unsure of where Ann came into contact with asbestos makes this case even more difficult, as without knowing this we are unable to press ahead and ensure we secure justice for Ann.

“We urge anyone who may hold information about asbestos being present at any of the schools Ann attended, the houses in which she lived as a child, or working conditions at workplaces either herself or her husband Ian worked at then please do get in touch.” Emma Bell - Senior Associate Solicitor

Ann originally began to notice her symptoms in the summer of 2016, when she developed a cough and began to feel breathless undertaking tasks she used to be able to do easily. While on holiday in Majorca in June, she felt breathless walking up steep banks and it was this that convinced her and Ian that she should see her GP.

Ann, who with Ian has a daughter called Christine, 34, said: “I am still coming to terms with my diagnosis as it was completely out of the blue. I had always been fit and well and kept myself active. 

“The breathlessness crept up on me and as I underwent more tests I began to realise the severity of the illness I was suffering from. I was then told that I have a terminal, asbestos related, cancer.

“It has been very distressing for me and all of my family to receive this diagnosis. I do not know what is ahead for me and it is difficult to make any plans. I just hope that any of my or Ian’s former colleagues, or my former school friends come forward with any information, no matter how small, so that I might be able to achieve justice.”

Anyone with information please contact Michael McGowan on 0191 279 0104 or email Michael.McGowan@IrwinMitchell.com.

Our specialist asbestos claims team will provide you with free initial advice on your compensation claim if you or a loved one has suffered due to an asbestos related illness. See our Asbestos-Related Disease Claims Guide for more information.