Expert Asbestos-Related Disease Lawyers Investigating Exposure To Asbestos

The family of a Darlington man who spent much of his working life as a labourer in London is calling on his former colleagues for help with and investigating into how he was exposed to the harmful asbestos after his death from mesothelioma.

Fred Bailey, 67, died on 22 May 2015 after a short battle with the disease, which is caused by inhaling asbestos dust and fibres decades ago.

Before his death he told expert asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell he believed he was exposed to asbestos while working for a number of companies in London, including Limehouse Paper Board Mill, where he worked from 1963 to 1965.

He remembered the building containing asbestos-lagged pipework and the boiler room being an extremely dusty environment.

He also thought he was exposed to asbestos while working for building company A. Elf & Sons in Dalston, North London, between 1966 and 1970. His role included painting pub basements, which meant he was regularly working in close proximity to asbestos dust and fibres as he prepared the walls.

Fred also believed he came into contact with asbestos dust and fibres while employed by John Tanns Limited between 1978 and 1988, at the company’s factory at Stirling Corner, Borehamwood, where Bank of England safes were made.

Fred, who spent his later years in Darlington, County Durham said the pipework in the factory was lagged with asbestos in a poor state of repair, which would release dust and fibres when disturbed.

Now his devastated family and asbestos-related disease experts at Irwin Mitchell are appealing to his former colleagues to come forward with the information they need about the presence of asbestos at the companies and what measures, if any, were in place to protect workers from exposure to the hazardous dust and fibres.

Roger Maddocks, a Partner and expert industrial disease lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing the family, said:

Expert Opinion

“Mesothelioma is a very aggressive and sadly incurable disease that can cause a significant amount of pain and suffering for victims like Fred. However, it takes decades from exposure before the symptoms develop so it can be difficult for victims to recall the minute details of their working conditions.

“Many older factories and warehouses contained asbestos-lagged pipework which was not kept in good-working order and would release dust and fibres when disturbed. Unfortunately, many companies failed to protect workers from the risks of asbestos exposure and as a result people like Fred end up paying the ultimate price.

“We would like to hear from anyone who remembers working alongside Fred at the London-based firms he worked for, or anyone with details on the presence of asbestos at these companies.” Roger Maddocks - Partner

Fred’s widow and two children, said: “It was absolutely heart-breaking when Fred was diagnosed with mesothelioma and he was forced to give up working. The pain he suffered in the final months of his life was terrible and we are determined to get justice in his name.

“His retirement was taken away from him by mesothelioma and to find out that the disease may have been caused by his exposure to asbestos at work just added insult to injury for all of us.

“We would be extremely grateful to any of his former colleagues who can provide the information our legal team needs to help us understand where and how he was exposed to the dust and fibres that caused his death.”

Anyone with information on the presence of asbestos at Limehouse Paper Board Mill, A. Elf & Sons or John Tanns Limited or details on the protective measures in place at the companies to prevent workers being exposed to the material should contact Emma Crowther on 01642 246 915 or email emma.crowther@irwinmitchell.com