Loved Ones And Lawyers Call On Man's Former Workmates For Help

The widow of a former toolmaking engineer and building maintenance man from Surrey, who died of asbestos-related cancer, is calling on his old workmates for help in gaining justice regarding his death.

A much loved grandfather and father-of-three, Graham Broomfield, from Banstead,   died aged just 62 in October 2017, around 16 months after he was first diagnosed with mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lung commonly associated with exposure to asbestos.

Following his death, his wife Linda, aged 59, has instructed specialist lawyers in Irwin Mitchell’s Asbestos-Related Disease team to investigate his case and how he ultimately came into contact with the deadly material.

As part of their work, they are now keen to hear from anyone who may have worked with Graham during either his time as a toolmaker in 1970s or his role as a building maintenance man in the 1980s and 1990s, which is when Linda believes his exposure must have occurred.

Natalia Rushworth-White is a specialist Asbestos Related Disease solicitor at Irwin Mitchell’s London office who is acting for Linda.

Expert Opinion

This is yet another tragic case which shines a light on the devastating legacy that asbestos has had on so many lives, with conditions like mesothelioma only emerging many years after the initial exposure to such materials has taken place.

“Sadly Graham was not advised during his lifetime that he may be able to bring a legal claim, which means we are keen for specific details regarding any asbestos exposure that may have happened during his working life.

“As such, we would be hugely grateful to anyone who may be able to come forward and provide details regarding the presence of asbestos during his time working at various sites across the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.” Natalia Rushworth-White - Senior Associate Solicitor

Graham undertook a toolmaking apprenticeship between 1971 and 1974 and worked as a qualified engineer until around 1980. Across that period he was employed on production lines at sites including Norko’s in Epsom, Seibe Gorman’s in Tolworth and Goblin Electricals and Herbert Thomas, both in Leatherhead. During this period, many factories contained asbestos for fireproofing and insulation purposes.

He then went on to carry out building maintenance work for Lloyd’s Bank at its Kingswood training centre, as well as at the RAC Club in Epsom. As part of these roles, he was required to enter into boiler houses which often contained asbestos-lagged pipework.

Linda said: “We were completely devastated when Graham was diagnosed with mesothelioma but were equally thankful that we got to spend quality time together before he passed away.

“It was incredibly difficult to see how the condition affected him in his final weeks and while nothing will change what he went through, I feel we still deserve answers regarding how he came into contact with asbestos and whether more should have been done to protect him. Any help from former colleagues and workmates could make a huge difference.”

Anyone with information in relation to this case is asked to contact Natalia Rushworthwhite on 0207 421 3900 or email natalia.rushworthwhite@irwinmitchell.com.

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