Specialist Lawyers Appealing For Information Of Asbestos Presence At Workplace After David Gibson Died Of An Asbestos-Related Disease

The devastated family of a Spalding man, who died of an asbestos-related cancer, are appealing to his former colleagues for information on Workers’ Memorial Day.

Workers’ Memorial Day is April 28th, a day to ‘remember the dead and to fight for the living’ by paying respects to those who have died as a result of their employment, continuing to improve health and safety standards in the workplace, and increase protection in place for employees.

David Gibson died in July 2017, a month after being diagnosed with mesothelioma, a terminal cancer that affects the lining of the lungs and is commonly associated with asbestos exposure. It often takes decades for symptoms to show following the exposure, depending on the level of exposure suffered.

After David’s death, his son Graham, 49, instructed specialist asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate how and where David was exposed to the deadly asbestos dust and fibres that caused his mesothelioma.

Graham is the son of David and Pauline, 70. David and Pauline were married for fifty years prior to David’s death. 

Following their investigations, Graham’s legal team at Irwin Mitchell believe David was exposed to asbestos while employed by Redland Gravel Limited, also known as Redland Readymix Limited and Lafarge Redland Readymix Limited. David was employed by the firm between 1973 and 2004.

Samantha Shaw, a solicitor and the asbestos-related disease specialist at Irwin Mitchell representing Graham, said: 

Expert Opinion

“Asbestos has had a terrible impact on so many lives across the decades and this is yet another example of how the consequences of exposure often only become clear many years after contact has occurred.

“Thousands of people still die each year in the UK as a direct result of being made to work in unsafe conditions. Health and safety has come a long way in recent years but the figures show there is still much to do.

“Sometimes they are the victims of tragic but avoidable accidents, or, as with many of our clients, they were exposed to asbestos by their employers many years ago and have, in most cases, been made to suffer a terrible death as a result.

“We have been working hard to create a full picture of David’s work history and would be keen on hearing more regarding the conditions he would have faced during his time at Redland.

“Any information could prove absolutely vital to our efforts to ensure that his family gain justice for his death.” Samantha Pitts (nee Shaw) - Senior Associate

David was first based at the cement manufacturer’s West Deeping site, before moving to the Spalding site after several years. He also worked at the March, Wisbech and Mount Sorrel sites. He was employed as a batching foreman, and would be responsible for the general maintenance of the site.

Graham would go to work with his dad during school holidays up until the age of 10 or 11. He has recalled to his legal team that the mortar plant at the West Deeping site was made of corrugated asbestos sheeting. The batching hut at the Spalding site was also clad with similar asbestos sheeting.

Graham, who still lives in Spalding, said: “I remember Dad taking me to work with him during the school holidays, as both him and mum had to work during them.

“Naturally, as a cement works, it was a very dusty environment and I remember seeing Dad sweeping up all the bits that had fallen off the roof and walls of the batching hut. It didn’t seem to in the best of states, and it was Dad’s responsibility to repair all the wear and tear issues that came up.”

Speaking about his dad’s diagnosis, Graham added: “It absolutely devastated the whole family. It was so hard seeing his health deteriorate as quickly as it did.

“Knowing that his illness was most likely caused by him simply going to work and doing his best for mum and the family makes me angry.

“I just want answers for how he was exposed to asbestos and why it was allowed to happen. Sadly we couldn’t get justice for Dad while he was alive, but I am determined to get it for him now.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Samantha Shaw at Irwin Mitchell office on 0370 1500 100 or email Samantha.Shaw@IrwinMitchell.com.

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