Widow And Lawyers Raise Awareness In Connection With National Mesothelioma Campaign

The widow of a former Retford electrician’s mate is raising awareness about the ongoing hazards of asbestos exposure after her husband fell ill with the asbestos-related cancer that claimed his life.

Colin Perry was 57 when he was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a life limiting cancer, usually of the lining of the lung, most commonly associated with exposure to asbestos, often decades previously.

Dad instructs asbestos-related disease lawyers to investigate illness

Following his diagnosis, he instructed expert asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate his illness and whether it could be linked to his employment history.

Colin died two years later. The cancer had spread to his brain, affecting his vision and hearing.

Colin’s wife Sharon, 60, from North Anston, is continuing with his case alongside his legal team.  They’re now appealing to Colin’s former workmates for more information about the details of Colin’s alleged asbestos exposure when working for Crown House Engineering in Retford.

Simone Hardy is the specialist asbestos-related disease lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Sharon.

Expert Opinion

“Colin’s death at such a young age for someone with mesothelioma continues to impact his loved ones. Sharon is struggling to come to terms with losing her husband, who had always been fit and healthy prior to his diagnosis.

“Colin’s case is also another stark reminder of the terrible legacy of asbestos. While it’s more common among older people, diseases related to exposure can affect anyone of any age. We want to raise awareness of the ongoing risk of asbestos exposure. Experts estimate that 87,000 public buildings still contain asbestos and a quarter of schools. With about 5,000 asbestos related deaths a year in the UK it is considered a public health disaster.

“Nothing will ever change what Colin and his family have suffered, but we’re appealing to Colin’s former workmates to help by coming forward with more information on the conditions of alleged unprotected asbestos exposure he faced." Simone Hardy

Mesothelioma: Colin Perry's story

Colin was employed by Crown House Engineering as an electrician’s mate between 1991 and 1995.  He worked at various locations including oil, chemical and power stations around the country and especially in Yorkshire, Humberside, Lincolnshire and the Midlands.

Colin’s role included installing new cabling to operate valves and monitoring equipment.  He told his legal team that he wasn’t warned about the dangers of asbestos nor received any specific training.

He added that that he was required to carry out the dirty and dusty jobs but was not supplied with any respiratory protection or facemask.  In some locations he worked, he also recalled that the insulation was in a very deteriorated state and would sometimes tread in it and carry it around.   Old lagging – which he believed to contain asbestos – would be hanging off pipes, Colin said.

Widow pays tribute to 'most loving husband and dad'

Sharon said: “When Colin was diagnosed with mesothelioma, we didn’t know much about it.  But we soon realised what a difficult disease it is to treat.  It was heart-breaking for me to see him deteriorate and know there was nothing I could do to help.

“He was the most loving husband and dad to my daughter Laura, and he loved nothing more than spending time with us and our grandsons.  He was a hard worker and had always been willing to help others.

“But when he fell ill, he really struggled to do much of anything.  Once the cancer had spread, Colin’s decline was rapid.  He was constantly dizzy, lost his hearing completely and his eyesight was terrible.

“To this day, I still can’t believe he’s no longer here. He was only 59, and before the mesothelioma, he was fit and healthy.  By the end, he was just a shadow of himself.

“I would give anything to have Colin back, but I know that’s not possible.  All I can do now is raise awareness of the hazards of asbestos exposure, particularly to those still working in industry, or in public buildings, where asbestos is often still present.

“Thankfully today there should be more stringent health and safety measures in place, and there are better treatments available, but sadly that it is too late for Colin.  

“I would be really grateful if anyone who worked with Colin at Crown House Engineering in Retford in the 1990s, could contact my solicitor to help with more details about Colin’s alleged asbestos exposure.”

Contact us

Anyone with information is asked to contact Simone Hardy at Irwin Mitchell on tel. no. 0114 274 4321 or 0114 274 4420 or by e-mail at simone.hardy@irwinmitchell.com

Find out more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in supporting people and families affected by asbestos exposure at our dedicated asbestos-related disease section. Alternatively, to speak to an expert contact us or call 0370 1500 100. 

Action Mesothelioma Day is on 4 July.  It’s a national event held annually to raise awareness of asbestos and mesothelioma. Find out more at Mesothelioma UK