Industrial Illness Specialists At Law Firm Irwin Mitchell Working With Family in Battle for Justice

The widow of a former industrial engineer who died of asbestos-related cancer is appealing for his former work colleagues to help lawyers investigate how he was exposed to the deadly dust.

Michael Karl Kinaszczuk, had moved from Slough to Huntingdon in 1988 to take a job at Whitworths limited, based at Irthlingborough. He was employed as an industrial engineer and part of his job was to go into the factory on a daily basis to monitor production. It is thought that asbestos lagged pipework at the factory, which was often in a poor state of repair, could have been the cause of Michael’s asbestos related cancer.

Michael, who lived in Huntingdon, in Cambridgshire began to suffer from a persistent cough in October 2011. He was admitted to Kettering Hospital and after CT scans and a biopsy he was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma on 14 January 2012 and sadly died on 1 November 2012 aged 54.

His wife, Mary, has instructed industrial disease experts at national law firm Irwin Mitchell, which is opening a Cambridge office this summer, to investigate how he came into contact with asbestos so she can obtain justice for her beloved husband.

During his treatment, Michael underwent surgery at Kettering Hospital and post-operative chemotherapy at Nuffield Hospital in Cambridge.

Michael then had a further operation to remove his appendix on 17 October 2013 when it was discovered that the cancer had spread. He was admitted to St John’s Hospice, in Moggerhager on 27 October 2012 but later returned home and died a few days later.

Irwin Mitchell, together with Mary, are appealing for Michael’s former work colleagues to provide more information about the working conditions at Whitworth’s to find out how he might have been exposed to the deadly dust.

Martyn Hayward an expert asbestos lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, leading the case, said: “Michael’s family are devastated to have lost him in such tragic circumstances and understandably they want answers as to how this happened.

“We’re keen to speak to anybody who worked with Michael during his career as an industrial engineer as we believe they may hold vital evidence about the presence of asbestos and the working conditions that he endured.

“Companies have been well aware of the dangers of asbestos for many decades so there is no excuse for not protecting employees from the hazardous material. Nobody should have to suffer like Michael did because of their commitment to work.”

Mary said: “Michael’s cancer diagnosis was heart-breaking for him and for the family as a whole and it was devastating when he died less than a year after the diagnosis.

“He fought against the illness as best he could but it was very difficult watching him suffer during his final months. I just hope that his former workmates will be able to help shed some light on the conditions he endured.”

Anyone who thinks they may be able to help is asked to contact Martyn Hayward at Irwin Mitchell Solicitors on 0114 274 4615 or email martyn.hayward@irwinmitchell.com