Appeal For Information Regarding Two Employers

The family of a Huddersfield woman who died of asbestos-related disease have joined with specialist lawyers on the first anniversary of her death to call on her former workmates to come forward and help them gain answers regarding the illness.

Marie Bamforth, from Salendine Nook, passed away aged 79 in September last year, just weeks after she was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lung commonly associated with exposure to asbestos materials.

Prior to her death, she instructed specialist asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell’s Leeds office to investigate how she came to develop the illness and whether she came into contact with asbestos during her working life.

Now, with her family continuing the search for answers in her memory, the legal experts are keen to speak to anyone who recalls working alongside Marie during her two spells at Hirst & Mallinson in the 1950s and 1970s, as well as her time at Parkwood Mills in the early 1960s.

Fay Marshall, the lawyer and asbestos-related disease expert at Irwin Mitchell who is representing Marie’s family, said: 

Expert Opinion

“Our clients are understandably devastated by their loss and desperate for answers regarding what ultimately caused her mesothelioma.

“As part of our investigations we are now keen for more information regarding these two employers and whether Marie may have been exposed to asbestos during her work for them. We would be grateful to anyone who may be able to come forward.” Fay Marshall - Solicitor

Marie worked as a woollen mender for Hirst & Mallinson, which was based in Milnsbridge in Huddersfield, between 1954 and 1959. Before she passed away Marie mentioned working around pipework and large steam presses which could have been lagged and lined with asbestos.

Marie then went on to work briefly at Parkwood Mills in the early 1960s and later retrained to become a nurse.

Marie’s daughter, Lynne Bamforth, said: “The whole family misses mum so much and we still have so many questions regarding the illness which took her life.

“We would hugely appreciate it if anyone who worked with her at these mills would be able to shed some light on the presence of asbestos, as this could make all of the difference to our efforts to gain justice. Any detail could prove vital.”

Read about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in mesothelioma cases.