Inquest Highlights The Dangers Of Asbestos

The daughter of a former engineer is appealing to his former colleagues in Leeds for information on the working conditions he endured where exposure to asbestos dust at work contributed to his death.

An inquest into the death of Denis Hampshire, 88, at Leeds Coroner’s Court on 26th October, found that he died of mesothelioma, an aggressive asbestos-related cancer affecting the lining of the lungs.

Denis, from Cookridge, in Leeds, worked for Clayton, Son & Co Ltd and Oxley Engineering Co Ltd as an engineer. Both companies were based in Hunslet during the 1960s and 1970s.

His family instructed expert industrial disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate how he was exposed to asbestos and why more wasn’t done by his employers to protect him at work from the deadly dust.

Fay Marshall, a specialist industrial disease lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, representing his family, said:

Expert Opinion

“Mesothelioma is an extremely aggressive cancer which causes a great deal of suffering to its victims. Unfortunately it still remains incurable, and makes asbestos the biggest occupational killer of all time.

“Asbestos has long been associated with heavy industry and we would like to hear from any of Denis’ former colleagues about the working conditions they experienced, the presence of asbestos and if any procedures were in place to protect workers from the hazardous substance.

“Every day at Irwin Mitchell we work with people whose lives have been ruined by occupational diseases. Its heart breaking to see the impact illnesses such as mesothelioma have on our clients both physically and mentally. We are often able to recover the cost of their care and lost earnings, but this can never turn the clock back.” Fay Marshall - Solicitor

In November 2014 Denis started to suffer from chest pain and was admitted to hospital where he was diagnosed with mesothelioma. He was admitted to St Gemma’s Hospice in January this year and sadly died a month later.

Denis’ daughter, Alison Hampshire, said: “It was a shock when Dad received his diagnosis and he deteriorated rapidly. Many people may know him from a number of sporting clubs in the Rothwell and Hunslet areas in Leeds. He was a keen sportsman, playing football and cricket in his youth and then golf and snooker until his illness prevented him. He was also a member of the Horsforth Conservative Club.

“I am just hopeful that some of his old work mates will see this appeal and will come forward to help the legal team at Irwin Mitchell to piece together the full picture of his exposure.”

Anyone with information on the working conditions at Clayton, Son & Co Ltd and Oxley Engineering Co Ltd is asked to contact Fay Marshall on 0113 394 6826 or email fay.marshall@irwinmitchell.com.

Our expert asbestos solicitors will provide you with free initial advice on your compensation claim if you or a loved one has suffered due to contracting mesothelioma. See our Mesothelioma Claims page for more information.