13.02.2024
Former Joiner Asks Lawyers For Help Following Mesothelioma Diagnosis
A former joiner is appealing to his old workmates for help after being diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Ian Tindall, from Bradford and formally Mytholmroyd, was diagnosed in August with mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lung associated with exposure to asbestos, often decades previously.
Following his diagnosis, the father-of-two instructed expert asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate his illness and if it could be linked to his work history. The 79-year-old has now joined with his legal team to appeal for any of his former workmates to come forward.
They are keen to hear from anyone who worked with Ian at Wadsworth Joinery Company (part of Pickles Brothers Builders Ltd) in Gibbert Street, Halifax from 1960 to 1966, Thornber Bros Ltd in Mytholmyroyd, from 1966 to 1970, or Marshall (Builders Elland) Limited in Elland from 1967/68 to 1968/69.
Expert Opinion
“Ian is naturally still shocked and struggling to come to terms with his mesothelioma diagnosis and what this now means for the future.
“Through our work, we are instructed by many people whose lives are devastated by asbestos, often many years after their initial exposure to the substance may have taken place.
“We’re determined to support Ian as he considers his treatment options and in his efforts to discover how he came to encounter asbestos.
“If anyone who remembers working with Ian could come forward, it would mean a lot to him and his family. Any information could prove vital in our investigation and in providing Ian with the answers he deserves.” Oliver Collett, Workplace Illness and Asbestos-Related Disease Lawyer
Born in 1944, upon leaving school, in 1960, Ian went to work for Wadsworth Joinery Company as an apprentice joiner. Based on Gibbert Street in Halifax, the firm was part of Pickles Brothers. Its main work was the construction of new buildings, including schools, multi-storey car parks and residential housing in the Halifax and Bradford area.
The joinery part of the business where Ian was an apprentice had a timber yard, an area for cutting and preparation work, a manufacturing area and workshop. Ian recalls that large sheets had to be cut to size and even moving the sheets would cause dust to be released, which would cover his clothing.
When his apprenticeship ended, Ian continued working for the firm as a qualified joiner until 1966, when he moved to Thornber Bros Limited, a poultry breeding firm in Mytholmyroyd, Calderdale.
The company was known as Thornber Chicks, with its distinctive red vans and waggons with lettering in black and gold on the side. When Ian joined, a new side of the business had been established which involved the design and manufacture of poultry sheds.
The sheds were huge spaces, with spans of over 150 feet, with timber frame construction and sheet panelling, completed with corrugated roofing sheets. Ian would regularly cut these sheets to size, releasing visible dust in the process.
Ian left the firm briefly in 1968 but returned in 1969, when he was engaged in the same type of work during his second period of employment with the firm.
In his break from Thornber Chicks, Ian worked for Marshall (Builders Elland) Limited which was a large, well-known building company in the Halifax area. The company is now a multinational construction business called Marshall Construction.
Ian cut asbestolux sheets and asbestos cement sheets. He would slide the sheets from horizontal stacks which would shed asbestos fibres. He would cut the sheets using a handsaw and a circular saw which released huge clouds of asbestos dust into the air which he breathed in.
Ian married Susan on 15 June, 1968, and the couple have two adult children, 4 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren.
Ian enjoys spending his spare time with his family. He also enjoys gardening and playing golf.
In May 2023 Ian consulted his GP as any strenuous activity left him breathless.
Following tests, he was diagnosed with mesothelioma in August.
Ian said: “The last few months have turned my world upside down and the mesothelioma diagnosis has left me and my family concerned for what the future may bring.
“I’ve had some breathlessness for a few years now but there never seemed to be a serious concern until very recently, when even daily activities like gardening or washing the car began to prove a struggle.
“Right now, I’m making the most of my time with my family and while I still can, doing what I can to find out as much as possible about my exposure to asbestos.
“I know a number of years have passed, but if any of my former workmates could get in contact it will help in establishing the truth and provide some answers amid what continues to be a difficult period in my life. It would be great to hear from them and while it is a long time ago, their recollections could be such a big help to me.”
Anyone with information that could help Ian is asked to contact Oliver Collett at Irwin Mitchell on 0113 3946784 or by email at Oliver.Collett@Irwinmitchell.com
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