Asbestos-Related Disease Lawyers Investigating Asbestos Exposure

The widow of a former quantity surveyor is appealing to her late husband’s former colleagues at W Loweth & Sons Limited for information about his exposure to asbestos after his death from mesothelioma, a cancer caused by inhaling the deadly dust and fibres decades ago.

John Loweth died at the age of 64 in March 2015 after a short battle with the disease. An Inquest into his death at the Coroners Torbay Office, conducted by Senior HM Coroner, Mr Ian Arrow, found he died from an industrial illness.

Now John’s wife Helen Loweth, 59, from Shaldon near Teignmouth has instructed expert asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate how and where her husband was exposed to asbestos during his employment.

Helen believes John may have been exposed to the material during his time working for building company W Loweth & Sons Limited, between 1974 and 1987.

During his time at the company, John was employed as a quantity surveyor and a site agent and would regularly visit building sites where refurbishments were taking place.

Before his death he recalled that his role would include sweeping the floors of buildings after work was carried out. Helen and her lawyers believe he would have swept up asbestos dust and fibres created when employees removed asbestos lagging from pipework in older buildings and debris created when asbestolux was cut before being fitted.

Satpal Singh, an expert asbestos-related disease lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, representing Helen and her family, said:

Expert Opinion

“Mesothelioma is a very aggressive and sadly incurable form of cancer that impact victims, like John, decades after they were exposed to the material.

“Understandably, Helen and her son Robert want more information and answers about how their husband and father came into contact with asbestos and if steps were taken to reduce the risks posed to him by the asbestos dust and fibres present at many of the sites he worked at during his employment.

“We are appealing to former colleagues to help provide information about exposure to asbestos decades ago to provide answers to his family.

“We would like to hear from the many plumbers, joiners, laggers, carpenters and labourers that worked for W Loweth & Sons Limited during the 1970s and 80s who have information on the presence of asbestos at construction sites John worked at and what measures, if any, were in place to protect workers inhaling the deadly dust and fibres.” Satpal Singh - Senior Associate

Helen said: “The disease John battled in the final months of his life was absolutely terrible. We would wish to know more about his working life and we’re relying on his former colleagues to come forward with the information we need.

“I would encourage anyone who remembers John and who worked alongside him to come forward with whatever information, no matter how small, they have about the presence of asbestos and the protecting in place for John and other workers.

Anyone with information about working conditions at W Loweth & Sons Limited that could help Helen and Robert get the answers they need should contact Nicole Ross on 0117 926 1509 or email nicole.ross@IrwinMitchell.com

Our expert mesothelioma solicitors will provide you with free initial advice on your compensation claim if you or a loved on has been diagnosed with mesothelioma caused by asbestos exposure. See our Asbestos-Related Disease Claims Guide for more information.