Industrial Disease Lawyers Issued Court Proceedings Against Cape Insulation

Expert industrial disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell have issued legal proceedings against Cape Insulation in a bid to secure a former production line worker who was diagnosed with cancer, caused by his exposure to asbestos, justice for the pain and suffering he has endured.

Colin Stephenson, 66, from Ferryhill, County Durham was diagnosed with cancer of the voice box in 2009 and underwent an operation to remove his voice box and remove the cancer. However, just six months later he was diagnosed with lung cancer and a part of his lung was removed.

His lung cancer returned in 2013 and he instructed expert asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate if more could have been done to prevent his exposure while working for Cape Insulation.

Irwin Mitchell has now launched legal proceedings against Cape Insulation in a bid to secure justice for Colin.

While at the company, Colin was involved in manufacturing asbestos sheeting and insulation and would be required to mix asbestos with water and cement and feed the material onto the production line. He also worked closely with colleagues who would cut the products with circular saws.

He recalled the shop floor at Cape Insulation in Bowburn, County Durham, where he worked from 1967 to 1991, being extremely dusty and that the tasks he carried out led to asbestos dust and fibres being released into the atmosphere and covering his hands and overalls.

Roger Maddocks, a Partner and expert asbestos-related disease lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, said: 

Expert Opinion

“Colin has suffered a significant amount of pain and a number of invasive procedures and understandably he wants to know the reasons behind the illness he has suffered.

“Colin spent long periods of his working life manufacturing asbestos sheeting, insulation and products and as a result we believe he was exposed to the harmful dust and fibres over a long period of time.

“Sadly, many employers fail to act to protect their workers from the consequences of exposure to asbestos, despite knowing how dangerous it is and we hope that by issuing court proceedings we can secure justice for Colin and get his the answers he so desperately needs.

“We would like to hear from anyone who worked alongside Colin at Cape Insulation who has details on the safety measures put in place to protect workers and if the risks of exposure to asbestos were made clear to workers.” Roger Maddocks - Partner

Colin, a grandfather-of-two, said: “I have suffered five years of pain and suffering and have undergone a variety of procedures and treatments, I believe, as a result of inhaling asbestos dust and fibres over the years I worked closely with the material.

“I hope that my legal team at Irwin Mitchell will be able to get justice for me and provide the answers I need about why more was not done to protect me, and my colleagues, from the risks associated with asbestos.”

Anyone with information on the safety precautions in place at Cape Insulation to reduce exposure to asbestos should contact Katie Faulds on 0191 279 0142 or email Katie.Faulds@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.