North Yorkshire Woman Instructs Asbestos-Related Disease Lawyers To Investigate Exposure

A North Yorkshire grandmother-of-three diagnosed with asbestos cancer is appealing to her former colleagues to come forward with information to help establish how she fell ill.

Julie Wilson, 60, from Selby, has mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lungs most commonly associated with asbestos exposure, often decades previously.

Following her diagnosis in June this year, Julie instructed asbestos-related disease experts at Irwin Mitchell to investigate her illness and help determine whether her exposure took place at work. 

During Lung Cancer Awareness Month, she’s now seeking information on the working conditions she faced while employed at Middlebrook Mushrooms and Rigid Paper Products (formerly John Rostron and Sons), which were both based in Selby.

Expert Opinion

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

Our initial investigations often involved asking clients such as Julie to try and recall the conditions they worked in years ago, while they’re also attempting to come to terms with a distressing diagnosis.

Asbestos is located in many buildings, unbeknownst to the employees that work in them. While we can’t change what Julie is going through, we’re determined to help her obtain the answers she deserves.

We would therefore be grateful to hear from anyone who worked with her and can recall if they could have been exposed to asbestos during their time there. Any detail, no matter how small, could prove vital.”
Nicola Handley, Workplace Illness and Asbestos-Related Disease Lawyer

Julie worked for Middlebrook Mushrooms in around 1979/1980 for a period of 6 months at the Brayton site and returned to the company to work at the Gateforth site in 1990.  She was employed as a bubbler which involved using a ladder and working closely underneath asbestos sheets that were used to construct the roofs of the mushroom sheds.  She told her legal team she recalled the sites were in ‘bad repair’ and she was around ‘large amounts’ of dust that she now suspects could have been asbestos.

Julie also recalls working for Rigid Paper Limited (formerly John Rostron and Sons Limited) between 1980 and 1987.  She was a production planner and spent most of her time on the factory floor.  She remembered there was pipework with asbestos lagging in place and lots of machinery. 

In April this year, Julie began to feel unwell.  She subsequently had one-and-a-half litres of fluid drained from her lungs.  She was diagnosed with mesothelioma on 15 June and has undergone extensive treatment.

Julie lives with her husband, Ian Wilson, aged 63.  She has three children and three grandchildren.

Julie said: “My diagnosis came so quickly and was a huge shock to me.  The worst thing is that I can no longer care for my grandchildren like I used to as I become breathless and have been struggling physically.

“I used to be very independent and enjoyed cooking and doing things around the house, but I don’t cook anymore as I have no appetite and tasks such as hoovering leave me really out of breath.

“I try my best to remain positive and stay active with short walks and tending to the garden with Ian.  I’ve also invested in an exercise bike, and been keeping busy with crafting and knitting. 

“However, I can’t help but wonder how I fell ill in the first place and to think it might be my work came as another huge blow.  I do remember some of the places being in bad repair and large amounts of dust in the air which is likely to have been asbestos.

“While I can’t turn back the clock, I deserve some answers and would really appreciate it if anyone with information would get in touch.”

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

Lung Cancer Awareness Month takes place in November.

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