Expert Asbestos Lawyers Appeal To Former Harrods Colleagues To Get In Touch

A former lingerie seller who worked in the flagship Harrods department store in London is appealing to her former colleagues to get in touch as she launches a quest for answers after being diagnosed with a terminal asbestos-related cancer.

Sandra Schaverien, from Radlett in Hertfordshire, says she is still ‘shell-shocked’ after being given the news that she is suffering from mesothelioma, a cancer in the lining of the lungs caused by exposure to the deadly dust.

The 75-year-old has instructed industrial illness experts at law firm Irwin Mitchell to investigate where she came into contact with asbestos. She is now backing the firm’s calls for her former colleagues at Harrods in London to get in touch, as it is believed they may hold vital information about the working conditions and potential presence of asbestos in the store.

Sandra, who recently lost her husband to Parkinson’s disease having cared for him for many years, worked at Harrods between 1991 and 2001 and believes she may have been exposed to asbestos dust in the underground tunnels beneath the store which she used to walk through to access the store and collect merchandise.

Helen England, an expert asbestos lawyer at Irwin Mitchell’s London office representing the mother-of-three, said: “Sandra has been devastated by her terminal diagnosis and understandably wants answers about where she was exposed to asbestos.

“She can recall the underground tunnels that she used to have to regularly walk through as being very dusty. We would like to hear from anyone who worked at Harrods between 1991 and 2001 as they may have vital information that could help provide answers to the many questions Sandra has.”

Sandra added: “I started suffering from chest pains and struggling to breathe and when I was given the diagnosis of mesothelioma I was absolutely devastated and remain shell shocked to this day.

“My husband had Parkinson’s disease for 10 years and both its severity and the deterioration in my own health meant he had to go into a nursing home. I visited him every day until he passed away, but I felt unable to share my diagnosis with him because I wanted to spare him unnecessary anxiety.

“I hope that my former colleagues get in touch as any information about the potential presence of asbestos and working conditions, no matter how small, could help get the answers I need.

“Nothing can turn back the clock but knowing that my family will have financial security in the future will give me peace of mind and allow me to make the most of the time I have left.”

Anyone with any information about the working conditions at Harrods during the period Sandra worked there is asked to contact Helen England at Irwin Mitchell by emailing helen.england@irwinmitchell.com or calling 0207 421 3896.

Our expert mesothelioma claims team 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.