Industrial Disease Experts Appeal For Former Work Colleagues To Help With Asbestos Case

A former steel worker is appealing for his former colleagues to come forward and provide information to support his search for answers regarding exposure to asbestos.

Sidney George Leavesley, aged 85, was diagnosed in January with mesothelioma, a cancer in the lining of the lungs caused by exposure to asbestos dust decades ago. Sidney first developed symptoms of breathlessness in early 2015 which led up to his diagnosis.

He has now instructed specialist industrial illness lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to help him gain answers as to how he was exposed to asbestos and he is appealing to his former colleagues to come forward and help with their enquiries.

Sidney worked for F.H. Lloyd and Company Limited at their Steel Foundry in Wednesbury between May 1950 to 1958 before transferring to work at their subsidiary company, Lloyds (Burton) Limited, at their Steel Foundry on Wellington Road, Burton-on-Trent between 1958 and 1973.

He recalls that his work involved handling asbestos on a daily basis as asbestos fibre was used when working with steel in order to keep it hot. Sidney’s role also involved him coming into contact with sheets of asbestos.

Roger Maddocks, Partner and Industrial Disease Expert at law firm Irwin Mitchell, representing Sidney, said:

Expert Opinion

“Asbestos exposure can cause aggressive and incurable diseases and has devastating consequences for sufferers and their loved ones. Sadly, despite employers knowing how dangerous it was, many did not do enough to manage the risks of asbestos exposure to protect their employees in the past.

“Because the illness is linked to exposure to asbestos decades ago it can sometimes be difficult to find information on the working conditions those who have been exposed to asbestos endured.

“We would urge anyone who worked with Sidney at F.H. Lloyd and Company Limited or Lloyds (Burton) Limited to get in touch as they might be able to provide vital information that may assist with our investigations.” Roger Maddocks - Partner

Sidney, said: “I am devastated to have been diagnosed with an asbestos related disease but I am determined to find answers and seek justice for myself and my family.

“Hopefully friends and previous colleagues who I worked with decades ago might be able to help to provide more information so that we can determine what caused his terrible illness.”

Anyone with any information about the working conditions at F.H. Lloyd and Company Limited or Lloyds (Burton) Limited should contact Emma Tordoff at Irwin Mitchell on either 0191 279 0104 or at Emma.Tordoff@IrwinMitchell.com.