Family And Lawyers Call For Man’s Ex-Workmates To Come Forward

The family of a former steelworker from Salford who died of asbestos-related cancer last year have joined with legal experts to appeal for his ex-workmates to come forward and help them gain answers regarding how he developed the condition.

Gilbert Cooper, from Irlam, died aged 90 in September 2017 after he was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lung most commonly linked with exposure to asbestos materials.

Following his death, his daughter Lynda Bradshaw, instructed specialist asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell’s Manchester office to investigate how he came to develop the illness and whether more could have been done to prevent it from happening.

As part of their ongoing investigations, the legal experts are now appealing for anyone who may have worked with Gilbert at Irlam Steelworks between 1957 and 1976 to come forward and shed light on the working conditions he may have faced.

Armon Momenabadi, the lawyer and asbestos-related disease expert at Irwin Mitchell’s Manchester office who is representing Gilbert’s family, said: “This tragic case is sadly like a great number we come across every year and is yet another which highlights the devastating impact that asbestos has on so many lives.

“Following our instruction we have been building a picture of Gilbert’s work history and would be hugely grateful to anyone who can provide input regarding the environments he would have faced during his time at Irlam Steelworks.

“Such information could make a huge difference to our efforts to help his family not only gain answers but also justice regarding the illness which led to his death.

Gilbert worked as a furnace operator during his first five years at Irlam Steelworks, which was later taken over by British Steel. In his later years at the company he became an overhead crane driver and worked in the rolling mill.

Gilbert was well known to many at the Steel Works for his jet-black hair and his friends often referred to him by his nicknames ‘Gil’, ‘Gilly’ and ‘the screaming Grecian’.

His daughter Lynda said: “Dad had mentioned on a few occasions how his work as furnace operator meant he had to feed and maintain the furnaces, which he believed were lagged with asbestos. He also mentioned that his role included both removing and renewing the asbestos lining on a regular basis and he wore asbestos mitts and an apron to work on the furnaces.

“Less than a year on from his death, the whole family remains devastated by our loss and we truly hope we can gain some answers regarding his asbestos exposure and whether more could have been done to help him. Any help would be hugely appreciated.”

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact Armon Momenabadi at Irwin Mitchell’s Manchester office on 0161 838 3099 or Armon.Momenabadi@IrwinMitchell.com.

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