The Man’s Adult Children Have Instructed Specialist Asbestos-Related Disease Lawyers To Investigate His Asbestos Exposure

The family of a former draughtsman, who worked for companies in Ilford and died, last year, of an asbestos-related cancer, are urging his former colleagues to come forward and help them in their legal battle for justice.

Kenneth Willett, from Chelmsford, died in May last year, aged 83. He had taken ill three months before, however it was not until after his death that a diagnosis of mesothelioma was confirmed.

Mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs. It is commonly associated with exposure to asbestos and it can take decades for symptoms to being to appear.

After Kenneth’s death, his two adult children, Stuart, 54, and Helena, 50, instructed specialist asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate where and how their father had been exposed to the fatal asbestos dust and fibres.

As part of their investigations, the legal team at Irwin Mitchell are keen to speak to any of Kenneth’s former colleagues at The Plessey Co. Uk Ltd. Kenneth was employed by the firm between 1963 and 1978. The lawyers believe his former colleagues could hold key information regarding the presence of asbestos at the firm’s Ilford site.

Samantha Shaw, the asbestos-related disease solicitor at Irwin Mitchell representing Kenneth’s family, said: 

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“We are keen to get justice for Stuart and Helena following the death of their father, Kenneth.

“Sadly we see a number of situations like this where the victims were unaware that they were suffering from mesothelioma while they were still alive.

“We are keen to speak to Kenneth’s former colleagues as part of our investigations into where and how he was exposed to the asbestos that caused his illness. We urge anyone with information on the presence of asbestos at the Plessy Co. Uk Ltd site in Ilford to come forward and contact us.” Samantha Pitts (nee Shaw) - Senior Associate

Kenneth, a widow following the death of his wife, Anne, in 2012, also worked as a draughtsman for Marconi’s in Ilford both prior to and following his employment with The Plessey Co. Uk Ltd.

He was initially employed at Marconi’s in 1951 until 1963 and then again from 1978 until his retirement in 1999.

Stuart, who lives in Chelmsford, said: “It was hard to see dad’s health deteriorate and not know the reason for why it was happening.

“Following dad’s death, and the confirmation that he was indeed suffering from mesothelioma while he was alive, we are now determined to get justice for him.

“We urge anyone who has any information on the presence of asbestos at Ilford sites of The Plessey Co. Uk Ltd and Marconi’s to come forward as you may hold a key bit of information that can help our legal team determine where and how dad was exposed to asbestos.”

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

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