Wife And Legal Team Seeking Information On Building Company After Man Who Worked In Epsom, Ashtead and Banstead Dies Of Mesothelioma

The devastated family of a former joiner from Surrey are calling on his former colleagues for help following his death from asbestos-related cancer.

Dad-of-two Peter Knapp, 75, died in June 2020, just four months after being diagnosed with mesothelioma. A terminal cancer of the lining of the lung, mesothelioma is commonly associated with exposure to asbestos, often decades previously.

At the time of his death, Peter lived in Boston, Lincolnshire with his wife Anne, 74.  She has instructed asbestos-related disease experts at Irwin Mitchell to investigate how he developed the illness that claimed his life.  She has now joined with her legal team in seeking information from anyone who may have worked with her husband while he was employed by Carlton Contractors Limited in Epsom from 1961 to 1966.

The appeal comes ahead of Action Mesothelioma Day. Taking place on July 2, the event is a time to reflect on the terrible legacy of the illness and the importance of upholding safety standards at all times.

Expert Opinion

“Peter’s death has had a profound effect on Anne and the rest of his family. It is also sadly yet another case that highlights the hideous legacy left behind by asbestos.

Peter’s condition deteriorated quickly after he was diagnosed, and Anne is understandably still devastated at losing him so suddenly. What makes it all the more worse for her and the family is having unanswered questions over how Peter was exposed to asbestos in the first place.

We would therefore be grateful if any of his former workmates could provide information on the working conditions he faced while working as a joiner.

Any detail, no matter how small, could prove vital in our investigation.”
Simon Webb - Associate Solicitor

Peter began employment with building firm Carlton Contractors Limited as an apprentice joiner, working in the Epsom, Ashtead and Banstead areas.  As part of his job, he cut up asbestos sheets.  It’s believed during one job in the late 1960’s he helped strip out a boiler by cutting it up and stripping out the asbestos lagging insulation up from a boiler house in a  school in Banstead.

In January 2020, Peter started suffering from shortness of breath.  He went to see his GP and underwent a series of tests.  He was diagnosed with mesothelioma around one month later.

Peter was dad to two children, Angela, 45, and Martin, 42.

His widow, Anne, said: “It’s a year since I lost Peter and every day is still a struggle.  Coming to terms with him not being by my side anymore is incredibly difficult, particularly as it all progressed so quickly.  It was only a few months between us finding out about his mesothelioma and losing him.

“We’d been together since our early 20s and Peter was such a loving and caring husband.  He loved nothing more than spending time with his family and enjoyed cars and designing and producing children’s toys and household furniture as well as garden furniture.

“I know nothing can ever change what’s happened, but I’d really appreciate if any of his ex- workmates could come forward and help shed some light on the conditions Peter worked in.  Then we can hopefully get some answers as to why he was taken from us and honour his memory.”

Anyone with information that may assist with this case is asked to contact Simon Webb on 01142 744277 or by e-mail at simon.webb@irwinmitchell.com.

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