Expert Lawyers Investigating Asbestos Exposure That Caused Mesothelioma

A former Machine Operator and Assistant Technician from Newcastle upon Tyne, who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, an asbestos-related cancer, is appealing for his former colleagues to help expert lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate whether more could have been done by his former employers to protect him.

Kenneth Mulligan, 71, from Fenham, who is known to friends and family as ‘Ken’, was previously fit and well until he was diagnosed with mesothelioma, an incurable asbestos-related cancer affecting the lining of the lungs which develops as a result of exposure to harmful dust and fibres decades ago, in July 2016.

Ken has instructed industrial illness experts at Irwin Mitchell to investigate where he was exposed to asbestos and why he wasn’t provided with adequate safety equipment to protect him during his employment at various companies.

Together, Ken and his specialist asbestos disease lawyers believe he was exposed to asbestos at two places throughout his employment history: C A Parsons & Co Limited, on Shields Road in Heaton, and the General Post Office (GPO), now Royal Mail, on Pottery Lane.

Ken worked for C A Parsons & Co from September 1965 to December 1979 as a Machine Operator. The firm was a large manufacturer of turbines, transformers and other electrical components. 

The workshops would be dusty as fitters carrying out their work would create a lot of dust, which would linger in the air. After Ken had left the firm, it is believed that it underwent an asbestos removal programme.

In January 1980, Ken began work as an Assistant Technician for the GPO, where he stayed until his retirement in June 2010, which by then the company had become known as Royal Mail. 

Ken’s main duty was to help the mechanics in the garage to inspect and repair Royal Mail vehicles. It is believed that Ken would have come into contact with asbestos when helping to change brake shoes, or inspecting the brakes, due to some brake shoes being lined with asbestos.

Emma Tordoff, the industrial disease specialist at Irwin Mitchell who is representing Ken, said: 

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“We are working with Ken in his fight for justice to find out how he was exposed to asbestos.

“We urge any of his former colleagues to come forward and help us with the investigation by providing any information about the working conditions at C A Parsons & Co and the GPO.

“Mesothelioma is incurable and its debilitating symptoms can only be treated temporarily. Ken and his family are now suffering terribly, simply because he wasn’t adequately protected at work.” Emma Bell - Senior Associate Solicitor

Ken, who has been married to his wife Ann for 48 years, said: “My diagnosis came as a complete shock to me and I was angry and frustrated to find out that it was likely caused by my exposure to asbestos during my working life. At no point was I given any training or warned about the dangers of asbestos, or even provided with a mask.

“The disease has already had a significant impact on my day-to-day life and I am concerned about what the future holds for me and my family as my condition inevitably worsens. 

“I urge any of my former colleagues to contact my legal team at Irwin Mitchell if they feel they can provide any details that can help this investigation and help my lawyers get justice for me and ensure those responsible for my exposure to asbestos are held to account.”

Anyone who worked with Ken and can provide any information is asked to contact Michael McGowan at Irwin Mitchell on 0191 279 0104 or email Michael.McGowan@IrwinMitchell.com.