Industrial Disease Experts Investigating Asbestos Exposure

The devastated family of a former refractory bricklayer are appealing to his former colleagues for help following his death from conditions associated with exposure to asbestos.

Cecil Rudd, from Stockton died at the age of 85 in September 2014, and his devastated family has instructed expert asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate how and where Cecil may have been exposed to the material during his working life decades ago.

They believe he may have come into contact with the deadly dust and fibres while working for Head Wrightson at the company’s Haverton Hill and Eaglescliffe sites, where he was involved in the manufacturing of industrial items used in large-scale building projects around the world.

His family and legal team at Irwin Mitchell are now appealing to Cecil’s former colleagues or anyone who worked at Head Wrightson in the 1950s and 60s to come forward and provide information on the presence of asbestos and any safety measures in place to reduce asbestos exposure.

Roger Maddocks, a Partner and expert asbestos-related disease lawyer at law firm Irwin Mitchell, which recently opened a consulting office in Middlesbrough, said: 

Expert Opinion

“Cecil was unaware how asbestos exposure had impacted his health and his family have understandably been left devastated by his death and the findings of the post-mortem.

“Unfortunately, we were unable to speak to Cecil about how he came into contact with asbestos during his life, but we would now like to hear from any of his former colleagues who have information as to the working conditions at Head Wrightson’s sites at Haverton Hill and Eaglescliffe.

“We would urge anyone with this information to come forward and help Cecil’s family get the answers they deserve about how and where he came into contact with the material that affected his health.” Roger Maddocks - Partner

His widow Betsy said: “He never really talked about the kind of work he did at Head Wrightson and I hope his ex-workmates will remember him and come forward with details on how he may have been exposed to the asbestos that led to his life being cut short.”

Anyone with information on the presence of asbestos at Head Wrightson’s Eaglescliffe and Haverton Hill sites should contact Kirstie Devine at Irwin Mitchell’s new Middlesbrough consulting office on 01642 246 915 or email Kirstie.Devine@IrwinMitchell.com.

If you or a loved one has been affected by an asbestos related illness, our solicitors can help you to claim compensation. See our Asbestos Claims page for more information.