Loved Ones Ask Lawyers To Investigate Dad’s Mesothelioma Death

The daughters of a former Ford factory worker are appealing to their dad’s old workmates for help following the father-of-three’s death from asbestos-related cancer.

Alphanso Eyers, 71, from Woolwich, London, died from mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lung associated with exposure to asbestos, often decades previously.

Following his death, Alphanso’s daughters, Christine Eyers, 45, Lorraine Eyers, 50 and Reba Brown-Eyers, 27 and his partner Beverley Brown, 62, instructed specialist asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate if his illness could be linked to his work history.

Alphanso’s family are now continuing the search for answers in his memory. Reba, Christine and Lorraine have joined the legal team to appeal for any of their dad’s old workmates to come forward with any information on the working conditions he would have faced.

They are particularly keen to trace anyone who worked with Alphanso during his time working for the Ford Motor Company at its Dagenham factory, in East London, from 1973 until 1988.

Expert Opinion

“A year on from Alphanso’s death, the family remain devastated buy their loss. Understandably they have a number of questions about how Alphanso was exposed to asbestos, which has made the process of trying to come to terms with his loss all the more difficult.

“While nothing can make up for their loss we’re determined to help provide the family with the answers family deserve.

“If any of his former workmates could come forward, their help could prove vital in giving the whole family and Alphanso’s children some form of closure.” Paul Ramsay, Scottish Qualified Solicitor

Alphanso started work for the Ford Motor Company in December 1973 and for the next 15 years was employed as a production operator at the Dagenham plant.

Before his death, Alphanso recalled that he had heard that pipes throughout the plant had been lagged with a material, which possibly could have been asbestos. He left in April 1988, having risen to be an advanced production operator. He recalled working with a man called Vincent Christian, who the family understand has since passed away.

In his later years, Alphanso spent a lot of time in Jamaica and was there when he was diagnosed with mesothelioma in November 2020. Prior to his diagnosis he suffered from shortness of breath and pain that spread across his chest. This prompted him to visit his doctor in Jamaica, leading to numerous tests and investigations into his diagnosis.

Alphanso received chemotherapy in an attempt to treat his mesothelioma. He found the treatment very hard. He received his treatment for mesothelioma while in Jamaica and died there on 28 May, 2021.

In his spare time, Alphanso was a very keen gardener. His garden, where he liked to grown his own food, was a real passion of his. He and Beverley often travelled back and forth from London to Jamaica on holidays together, and to visit family.

Alphanso was a committed family man, father and grandfather and is survived by his three children, Christine Eyers, 45, Lorraine Eyers, 50 and Reba Brown-Eyers, 27.

Alphanso was a loving and devoted grandfather to his grandchildren, who were very young at the time of his death. He adored his family and was devastated to have missed the opportunity to meet one of his grandchildren due to his illness.

Speaking about their dad, Reba said: “It has been devastating losing my dad. He was someone I could always talk to about life and world politics. He was always a wise old sage and had such a beautiful aura people always gravitated towards him. My sisters and I have had an immeasurable loss in our lives”

“If anyone who remembers working with dad in the ‘70s and ‘80s could come forward, my sisters and I would be so grateful. It would be great to hear from people and it could be such a big help in establishing the facts about his mesothelioma dad was looking for.”

Anyone who has information that could help Alphanso’s family, is asked to contact Paul Ramsay at Irwin Mitchell on 0203 0403 389 or email paul.ramsay@irwinmitchell.com

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