Expert Industrial Disease Lawyers Investigating North London Man’s Exposure To Asbestos

A Surrey man who spent much of his working life as a market trader is appealing to those who worked alongside him at a number of asphalting companies in the 1950s after he was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos.

Colin McBain, who was originally from London, started his working life at asphalting company H.V. Smith & Co Ltd in Tottenham in 1958 before moving on to Limmer & Trinidad Lake Asphalt Co Limited in Wandsworth, where he remained until 1959.

It is during his time at these companies that Colin, who went on to become a market trader, believes he was exposed to asbestos dust and fibres that led to him being diagnosed with mesothelioma in June 2016.

Since his diagnosis he has instructed expert asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate how and where he came into contact with the material and if more could, and should, have been done to protect him from the well-known dangers the material posed.

Colin, 76, recalls asbestos being used in the making of concrete and asphalt and that during his time at H.V. Smith & Co Ltd and Limmer & Trinidad Lake Asphalt Co Limited that he was exposed to it.

Now Colin and his legal team at Irwin Mitchell would like to hear from anyone who worked alongside him at the asphalting companies, which carried out work across London, to come forward with any information they have about the use of asbestos within the asphalting process or the safety measures which may have been in place to protect employees.

Natalia Rushworth, an expert asbestos-related disease lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, representing Colin, said:

Expert Opinion

“Asbestos was used in a number of industries in the 1950s and sadly, despite many employers being aware of the risks it posed to the health of employers, safety measures were not put in place to protect workers.

“Unfortunately, as it takes decades for the symptoms of mesothelioma to develop and present themselves, victims are unable to recall the exact details of their exposure and rely on their former colleagues to come forward with further information.

“Colin is understandably extremely concerned about what the future holds for him as his disease worsens and he wants to get answers about why he was not better protected from the dangers posed by this material.” Natalia Rushworth-White - Associate Solicitor

Colin, a father-of-six and grandfather-of-twelve, is now undergoing chemotherapy to try and control the disease but it is already having a significant impact on his life.

He was always fit and healthy and walked a mile or two each morning but since his diagnosis he struggles to walk any distance without breathing problems. He and his wife, June, have also been forced to cancel a holiday to Florida so that Colin can undergo palliative treatment.

Colin, who has been married to June for 18 years, said: “I first noticed problems with my health when I was struggling for breath when I took the dog for a walk. I never thought it would turn out to be anything serious so when I was diagnosed with mesothelioma I just couldn’t believe it.

“To find out that exposure to asbestos at work is to blame just added to my disbelief and I’m determined to find out why I wasn’t better protected from asbestos by my employers.

“I’m extremely worried about what the future holds for myself and June and I can only hope those who worked with me at H.V. Smith & Co Ltd and Limmer & Trinidad Lake Asphalt Co Limited in Wandsworth will come forward and help my legal team with the information they want.”

Anyone with information on the presence of asbestos at the asphalting companies and the safety measures, if any, put in place to protect employees should contact Natalia Rushworth on 0370 1500 100 or email Natalia.Rushworthwhite@IrwinMitchell.com.

Our expert asbestos lawyers will provide you with free initial advice on your compensation claim if you or a loved one has suffered due to contracting mesothelioma. See our Mesothelioma Claims page for more information.