Help needed to uncover cause of worker's lung cancer

A leading industrial illness lawyer has appealed for help from former colleagues of an 85-year-old County Durham man who recently died of lung cancer.

Frederick Simpson, from Darlington, was only recently diagnosed with lung cancer but lost his battle with the disease on 1st May 2009.

Experts believe was caused by exposure to asbestos while he worked at ICI at the Billingham Oil Plant.

He was heavily exposed to the killer substance throughout his time there, from 1960s and 70s to the early 80s.

Roger Maddocks, partner and industrial illness specialist at Irwin Mitchell solicitors, is representing Mr Simpson’s family.

He said: "This is yet another example of the scandalous exposure of countless employees to asbestos by employers in the north east – and the tragic outcome is becoming sadly predictable.

"Mr Simpson's wife and family are devastated at the news of the illness. To discover that he had a life threatening illness because of exposure to asbestos dust 40 years ago is nigh-on impossible to come to terms with."

Mr Maddocks is now looking for anyone who worked at the ICI Oil Plant in the 1960s, 70s or 80s. "ICI is a huge place, so even if they did not actually work with Mr Simpson, we strongly urge anyone who worked at the Oil plant who may have any information about working conditions at ICI at that time to come forward to help achieve justice for Mr Simpson’s family," he added.

"We and Mr Simpson’s family would be hugely grateful for any support we can get from members of the public at this stage."

Anybody who can help should contact Roger Maddocks or Emma Dumbleton at Irwin Mitchell on 0191 279 0095.