Woman’s Husband Died Of Mesothelioma, An Asbestos-Related Cancer

A widow from Cumbria, who lost her husband of 29 years to mesothelioma, is appealing to his former colleagues to come forward with information on the conditions he worked in after he instructed specialist lawyers to investigate how he was exposed to the asbestos that caused his illness.

David Thornely, who lived in Bowness-on-Windermere, instructed specialist industrial illness lawyers at Irwin Mitchell shortly before his death from mesothelioma in January this year, aged 78. Mesothelioma is a cancer affecting the lining of the lungs, which is caused by exposure to asbestos often decades before symptoms begin to show.

Following his death David’s widow, Susan, took over the claim. As part of her battle to get justice for David, she is issuing an appeal to those who may have worked with him to come forward with information on the working conditions at his former employers.

Due to David’s death, his legal team were unable to get any information from him with regards his exposure to asbestos.

Susan and her legal team would be keen to speak anyone who worked at Phillips Electronic & Associated Industries Limited between 1965 and 1971, the years David was employed by the firm.

His work with Phillips saw David involved with intensive survey and reorganisation of the industrial processes. His work took him to numerous Phillips plants, including Mitcham in Surrey, Blackburn in Lancashire, Halifax in Yorkshire, and Hamilton in Scotland.

It is likely that David would have been exposed to asbestos during his time in the plants as it was common at the time for plants like this to contain the substance, usually used as lagging on the pipework.

Following his employment with Phillips, David began working for British Oxygen in London from 1971 until 1975. Similarly to Phillips, David worked at numerous London-based plants for the firm and it is likely he would have been exposed to asbestos when in the plants.

Susan and the lawyers at Irwin Mitchell would be very keen to speak to David’s former workmates at British Oxygen about the working conditions in the plants and whether asbestos was indeed present.

Roger Maddocks, a partner and expert industrial disease lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, said: 

Expert Opinion

“Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive form of cancer that’s caused by exposure to asbestos dust decades ago and it can cause a great deal of pain and suffering for victims like David.

“All too often we see a case like David where workers spent time in working environments where they were exposed to asbestos dust and were not made aware, by their employers, of the dangers of asbestos dust. It can take decades for symptoms to develop and often it is then difficult for victims to recall in detail how and where they were exposed.

“We are committed to getting answers for Susan, and are assisting her by investigating conditions at David’s former employers. We urge anyone who remembers David or worked at the mentioned firms to come forward and contact us.” Roger Maddocks - Partner

David was diagnosed with mesothelioma in December, 2016, after undergoing tests at Furness General Hospital, in Barrow-in-Furness.

Susan said: “It was incredibly difficult to see how David’s health deteriorated so quickly in his final few months of life and I miss him so much.

“His death has left me with so many unanswered questions and I just want to know how he came to be exposed to asbestos and whether more could and should have been done to protect him from the risks.

“It would be hugely appreciated if anyone with information regarding the presence of asbestos at any of the mentioned Phillips plants or British Oxygen London-based plants would be able to come forward.”

Anyone with information should contact Michael McGowan on 0191 434 0704 or email Michael.McGowan@IrwinMitchell.com.