Loved Ones And Lawyers Seek Information On Grandfather’s Work History

The widow of a grandfather-of-three who died of asbestos-related cancer has called on her husband’s former workmates to help establish how he came to develop the illness.

Ron Hawkins died aged 67, around a year after he was diagnosed with mesothelioma. A cancer of the lining of the lung, the condition is commonly associated with exposure to asbestos.

Following his death, Ron’s wife Judy, 63, instructed Irwin Mitchell’s specialist Asbestos-Related Disease team to investigate how he came into contact with the material and help her gain justice regarding his death.

As part of their ongoing investigations, the legal experts are now keen to develop a better picture of Ron’s working life and would like to hear from anyone who worked alongside him during his time at WM Cory at London docks and in Norbury, south-west London.

The legal experts are also looking into Ron’s time working at ADT Fire & Security and Aon, in Hampshire.

Expert Opinion

“Ron was a much-loved husband, father and grandfather and his family remain understandably devastated by their loss.

“They are desperate to understand just how he came to develop mesothelioma and we are now appealing for anyone who worked alongside Ron at these companies to come forward and shed light on any potential asbestos exposure he may have faced.

“Any piece of information – no matter how small – could ultimately prove vital to our efforts to help them gain answers and justice.” Ian Bailey - Partner

Find out more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in handling asbestos-related disease cases 

Balham-born Ron started work for WM Cory shortly after leaving school in 1967. He was initially based at the docks in London. In the 1980s he moved to premises in Norbury and then Russell Square, while he then moved to Yateley in Hampshire, in the 1990s when the firm relocated to Bracknell.

During his time with WM Cory he worked for a range of organisations under the Cory Group, including Ocean Cory, Ocean Transport & Trading, Ocean Group, Exel, MSAS Global Logistics. He left the firm in 2001 to take up a role at ADT Fire & Security before moving on to Aon, where he worked within the pensions department before retiring in 2016.

Ron started complaining of breathlessness in May 2017 and saw his GP. He sadly died in July 2018.

Judy, who met Ron in 1983, said: “I always understood that Ron worked in the treasury department for Cory and, as I did not know him during his early days at Cory, I was never aware of any other roles he undertook for the firm.

“It was awful to see how quickly mesothelioma affected him, as prior to the illness he had been quite active and had been enjoying his retirement. His health really deteriorated at some pace.

“I still struggle with the fact that he is gone and am desperate for answers regarding the illness which led to his death. I would be grateful to anyone who could help.”

Anyone with information which could assist this case is asked to contact Tessa Craythorne at Irwin Mitchell’s London office on 0207 421 3987 or email tessa.craythorne@irwinmitchell.com.