Asbestos-Related Disease Experts At Irwin Mitchell Investigating Asbestos Exposure

A retired engineer is appealing to his former colleagues for help after he was diagnosed with mesothelioma, an incurable form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos decades ago.

Peter Bunce, 80, from Hertford, was diagnosed with the disease in October 2015 at after suffering with breathlessness and chest pains.

He has now instructed expert asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate how and where he was exposed to the material and if more could have been done to prevent him coming into contact with the deadly dust and fibres.

Peter believes he was exposed to asbestos during his working life, during which he spent long periods of time as a mechanical engineer working with steel, iron and bronze.

He is now appealing for anyone who worked with him at Lerner Machine Company, in Potters End, Enfield, where he worked from 1957 to 1973, and Whitby Tool Engineers, Hertford, where he worked from 1973 to 2002 to get in touch and provide any information they may have on how he may have been exposed to asbestos and the measures in place to protect workers from inhaling the substance.

Peter, a father-of-two and grandfather-of-four, told his legal team at Irwin Mitchell he used centre turner lathes and grinders to manufacture machinery for industry and electric motors for cars. He said that the buildings he worked in at these companies contained asbestos.

Helen England, an expert asbestos-related disease lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, said: “Mesothelioma is an extremely aggressive and sadly incurable form of cancer, which can cause a significant amount of pain and suffering for victims like Peter.

“Sadly, due to the nature of this disease and the fact it can take decades for symptoms to develop, many victims struggle to recall how they may have been exposed to asbestos and what safety measures were in place, if any, to protect them from the dust and fibres.

“Peter and his wife Ann desperately want answers about where Peter was exposed to asbestos and if more should have been done to prevent his exposure.”

Peter, who continued working until the age of 75, said: “My diagnosis really knocked me and Ann for six. It has already had a huge impact on our lives and we have had to start taking things easier as some days I can’t cope as well as others.

“Having worked until I was 75 we were looking forward to spending our retirement together but my diagnosis means we’re not sure how my health will hold up.

“I’m hoping that my former colleagues at Lerner Machine Company and Whitby Tool Engineers will come forward and help my legal team with the information they need to help me understand how and where I was exposed to asbestos and if more could have been done to warn me of the dangers of the substance.”

Anyone with information on working conditions at Lerner Machine Company and Whitby Tool Engineers should contact Helen England on 0207 421 3896 or email Helen.England@IrwinMitchell.com