Industrial Disease Specialists Investigating Asbestos Exposure That Caused Incurable Disease

The devastated family of a Darlington man who died just six months after being diagnosed with the asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma is appealing to his former colleagues to come forward with information they may have on how he was exposed to asbestos.

David Tinnion died in November 2015 at the age of 71, shortly after being diagnosed with mesothelioma.

Before his death he instructed expert asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate how and where he came into contact with the substance and if more could have been done to protect him by his former employers.

Now, as part of their investigations, the legal team and David’s family are appealing for people who worked alongside him to come forward and provide details on the presence of asbestos and the warnings in place for staff at both the Chemical & Insulating Co Limited and Darlington Borough Council.

The father-of-three and grandfather-of-seven believed his exposure to asbestos occurred while employed by both organisations and told his family that in his job as a labourer and later as a HGV driver that he would regularly come into contact with asbestos dust and fibres.

He worked for the Chemical & Insulating Co Limited in Darlington’s Faverdale area between 1964 and 1966. Witnesses who worked with him confirmed that there “were very high levels of asbestos” present.

Between 1978 and 2002 David was employed by Darlington Borough Council as a wagon driver and told his legal team that during his time in this role he handled asbestos sheeting.

Emma Tordoff, an expert asbestos-related disease lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, representing David’s family, said:

Expert Opinion

“Asbestos can be extremely dangerous if dust and fibres are inhaled or ingested, leading to a number of very serious, and in some cases fatal, diseases and illnesses.

“Mesothelioma is an extremely aggressive, and sadly, incurable, form of cancer caused by the substance that causes the death of more than 2,500 people in the UK every year. Many of these deaths could have been avoided if employers had taken the appropriate steps to protect their workforce from exposure to asbestos.

“We are now investigating David’s exposure at his former workplaces and hope that those who worked alongside him at the Chemical & Insulating Co Limited and Darlington Borough Council will come forward with any information they have about the presence of asbestos and what measures, if any, were in place to protect staff from exposure to the deadly dust and fibres.

“We’re hoping to help David’s family understand how and where he was exposed to asbestos as they continue to seek answers following his sudden death just months after his mesothelioma diagnosis.” Emma Bell - Senior Associate Solicitor

Donna Fryer, David’s daughter, said: “It was terrible for our family to see Dad’s health deteriorate so quickly after he was diagnosed with mesothelioma. It really is a terrible disease and we want to know how and where he was exposed to asbestos and to see somebody held responsible for failing to protect him.

“We have a big family and we’ve all been left devastated by Dad’s sudden death. We feel like we have been robbed of time with him due to his asbestos exposure.

“We can only hope that his former colleagues will remember him and come forward with any information they have about the presence of asbestos and the safety measures in place to protect staff at the Chemical & Insulating Co Limited and Darlington Borough Council.”

Anyone with information about the presence of asbestos, warnings in place for staff of the risks of the material or protective measures in place at the Chemical & Insulating Co Limited and Darlington Borough Council should contact Emma Tordoff on 0191 279 0104 or email Emma.Tordoff@IrwinMitchell.com.

Our expert asbestos claims team 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.