Expert Lawyers Investigating Working Conditions At Darlington Plumbing Firm

A former labourer, diagnosed with asbestos-related cancer, is appealing for his former colleagues to help expert lawyers at Irwin Mitchell determine how he came to be exposed to the deadly fibre.

John Chapman, 55 from Darlington, was cycling an average of 6,000 miles a year and walking several miles per week before he began to feel unwell in October 2016, and was diagnosed with mesothelioma in December the same year.

Mesothelioma is an aggressive, and terminal, form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos fibres, often decades before victims begin to suffer with symptoms. According to the latest statistics from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) more than 2,500 people in the UK lose their lives to the disease every year.

Father-of-two John has instructed industrial illness experts at Irwin Mitchell to investigate how he was exposed to asbestos and whether more could have been done by his former employers protect him during his career.

John and his specialist asbestos-related disease lawyers believe he was exposed to asbestos at two places during his career; R Bland Ltd and BSA Foundries.

John worked as a labourer for R Bland Ltd, one of the largest plumbing firms in Darlington, from 1982 to 1983.

John believes he was exposed to asbestos when removing old heating systems from domestic houses and business premises during his employment with the firm. Asbestos heat resistant materials had been used in the original installations of the heating systems, and when removed the asbestos dust and fibres would linger in the air. Asbestos putties were also used in the installation of new heating systems.

When John left the firm he moved to BSA Foundries, where he remained until 1992. While working here John believes he was exposed to asbestos insulation boards which would need to be cut to size. They would be cut by hand using a saw and the process would create a lot of dust which would linger in the air and get on his overalls. Various other asbestos products were also used in the foundry processes.

Roger Maddocks, the industrial disease specialist at Irwin Mitchell who is representing John, said:

Expert Opinion

“We have recently issued court proceedings in an attempt to try and get justice for John and to find answers to how he was exposed to asbestos.

“We urge any of his former colleagues to come forward and help us with the investigation by providing any information about the working conditions at R Bland Ltd and BSA Foundries.

“Mesothelioma is incurable and its debilitating symptoms can only be treated temporarily. John and his family are now suffering terribly, simply because he wasn’t adequately protected at work.” Roger Maddocks - Partner

John first began to feel ill in September 2015, when he developed chest pains and was diagnosed with pleurisy. However his symptoms cleared up and he began to feel better. It wasn’t until October 2016 when he began to feel unwell again.

Believing his pleurisy had returned, John went to see his GP at the beginning of November 2016. After undergoing tests at Darlington Memorial Hospital and James Cook University Hospital, John was diagnosed with mesothelioma in December 2016.

John, who has been married to his wife Deborah, 52, for 31 years, said: “My diagnosis came as a complete shock to me and I was angry and frustrated to find out that it was likely caused by my exposure to asbestos during my early working life.

“My working environment was generally very dusty. If I patted my boiler suit the dust and fibres which also consisted of asbestos dust and fibres could be seen disbursing into the air.”

“The disease has already had a significant impact on my day-to-day life and I am concerned about what the future holds for me and my family as my condition inevitably worsens.

“I urge any of my former colleagues to contact my legal team at Irwin Mitchell if they feel they can provide any details that can help this investigation and get justice for me.

Anyone who worked with John at R Bland Ltd or BSA Foundries and can provide any information on working conditions should contact Michael McGowan at Irwin Mitchell on 0191 279 0104 or email Michael.McGowan@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.