Loved Ones Join With Lawyers To Seek Answers Regarding His Illness

The devastated family of a former power station worker from Suffolk who died last year from an asbestos-related disease have joined with legal experts to appeal for his former colleagues to come forward and help them gain answers regarding his death.

The plea for information comes on Action Mesothelioma Day (July 7), a day to raise awareness of the disease and to remember those affected by it.

Derek Hockley passed away aged 79 in August 2016 just months after he was first diagnosed with asbestosis, although he had suffered with symptoms of severe breathlessness for around two years prior to that.

Following his death, Derek’s wife Christine and family instructed specialist asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate his death and help them gain answers regarding how he was exposed to the deadly material.

Now, as part of their enquiries, the legal experts are keen to hear from anyone who worked with Derek during his time at Cliff Quay Power Station in the south of Ipswich between 1960 and 1964.

Rosemary Giles, a specialist asbestos-related disease lawyer at Irwin Mitchell ‘s Cambridge office, said: 

Expert Opinion

“This case is sadly like a huge number we are involved in, with a person going on to develop a very serious condition as a result of asbestos exposure which is believed to have occurred several decades ago.

“We are determined to help our clients gain a greater understanding of how Derek developed this condition and whether more should have been done to help him. As part of this, we would be hugely grateful if anyone who can shed light on the working conditions at Cliff Quay in the 1960s would be able to help us.” Rosemary Giles - Partner

Christine Hockley, 63, recalled Derek talking about his work with asbestos at Cliff Quay Power Station during his time there.

She said: “I remember how Derek told us about mixing asbestos in a bucket and then using it to lag pipework at the station. Obviously at the time he would have been oblivious to the risks, but he even mentioned workers making it into snowballs and throwing it at each other too.

“It has been very difficult coming to terms with losing Derek and the whole family misses him so much. It was awful seeing him struggle with the symptoms of his illness, with his breathlessness meaning it was difficult for him to even get up the stairs in our house.

“We just feel after everything he went through that we deserve justice and answers regarding his ordeal, so any help with information about Cliff Quay would be hugely appreciated.”

Action Mesothelioma Day aims to bring together victims of the disease, those who have loved ones affected by the disease, healthcare professionals, support groups and those working to understand the disease and find a cure, to ensure the public are aware of the terrible impact it can have on sufferers and their carers.

The latest Health and Safety Executive (HSE) statistics, released this week, state there were 2,542 mesothelioma deaths due to past asbestos exposure in 2015, an increase on the 2,515 recorded mesothelioma deaths in 2014.

According to the HSE, the latest projections suggest that there will continue to be around 2,500 deaths per year for the rest of this current decade before annual numbers begin to decline.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Samantha Shaw at Irwin Mitchell’s Cambridge office on 01223 791 815 or e-mail samantha.shaw@IrwinMitchell.com.

If you or a loved one has been affected by an asbestos related illness, our solicitors can help you to claim compensation. See our Asbestos Claims page for more information.