Dad-Of-Two Instructs Asbestos-Related Disease Lawyers To Seek Details From Former Loughborough Colleagues

A former labourer from Hull is calling on his former colleagues to come forward and provide vital information about his working conditions after developing an asbestos related cancer.

Geoffrey Maskell, 68, was diagnosed with mesothelioma earlier this year.  This is a cancer that grows in the lining of the lungs and is most commonly associated with exposure to asbestos, often decades previously.

Following his diagnosis, Geoff, who is married with two children and three grandchildren, instructed specialist asbestos-related disease solicitors at Irwin Mitchell to commence investigations and assist him in establishing where his exposure to asbestos could have taken place.  Geoff immediately recalled working at several companies in the Loughborough and Shepshed area where he believes exposure to asbestos would have occurred.

He is now joining with his legal team in marking Action Mesothelioma Day on 1 July by appealing to his former colleagues for information on the working conditions they faced.

Expert Opinion

“Through our work we are instructed by many people whose lives are devastated by asbestos many years after initial exposure has occurred.

Our initial investigations often involve asking clients such as Geoff to try to recall the working conditions that they worked in over 50 years ago whilst they are also trying to come to terms with a devastating diagnosis. Often when people have worked for many employers for short periods of time it is very difficult to remember what work they were doing but also the type of work and materials being used around them.

Asbestos is also located in many buildings unbeknownst to the employees that are working in them and it was often disturbed whilst routine maintenance work was taking place.

Geoff is now asking for anyone that worked with him or for William Moss and Sons, The Brush Electrical Company or Dunlop Rubber to come forward with any information that they may have that could help us with our investigations.

Any detail, no matter how small, could prove vital.”
Nicola Handley - Senior Associate Solicitor

In 1971/72, Geoff worked for William Moss and Sons in Loughborough. He was employed as a labourer and worked at various sites in Coventry, Melton Mowbray, Leicester and Lincoln.  Geoff recalls that the sites were very dusty and that lots of stripping out of materials occurred on site that would have contained asbestos.

Geoff also worked for The Brush Electrical Company in Loughborough from 1974/75 to 1978/79.  This was a really large company that manufactured generators and locomotives.  Geoff recalled working in quite poor, dusty conditions and that due to the nature of the company and the work that it was undertaking exposure to asbestos is likely to have occurred.

He then worked at Dunlop Rubber in Shepshed in 1978/79 to 1982/83.  He recalls that the premises were constructed from asbestos sheets and he also had to undertake construction works that may have led to exposure to asbestos.

Geoff first started suffering from kidney pain in September 2021.  He was under investigation when they identified three-and-a-half litres of fluid in his lungs which had to be drained off.  In March 2022, his diagnosis was confirmed.

Geoff has recently commenced chemotherapy treatment.  He is unable to do many of the things that he enjoyed such as fishing, wood turning and gardening but remains positive for the future.

He said: “The diagnosis was a huge shock to both my wife and myself.  I can no longer go for a walk and enjoy my many hobbies.  However, I’m determined to get the answers that I need in relation to how I was exposed to asbestos.

“If anyone remembers working at the companies themselves and have any knowledge in relation to the working conditions, please could they get in touch.”

Anyone with information that may assist with this case is asked to contact Nicola Handley at 07711 345400 or 0113 220 6233 or by e-mail at Nicola.handley@irwinmitchell.com

Held every year, Action Mesothelioma Day brings together victims of the disease, those who have loved ones affected, healthcare professionals, support groups and those working to understand mesothelioma and find a cure. The day aims to ensure the public are also aware of the terrible impact mesothelioma can have on sufferers and their carers.

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