Appeal For Information Regarding Presence Of Material At Peterborough Site

A former care home worker who was diagnosed with the deadly asbestos-related cancer, mesothelioma 20 months ago has teamed up with specialist lawyers to call on her ex-colleagues to come forward and help her discover how she developed the illness.

Patricia Spitzer, 52, who is originally from Eye Peterborough but now lives in the Netherlands, discovered she had developed mesothelioma – a cancer of the lining of the lung commonly associated with asbestos exposure – in December of 2015 after she sought medical advice for symptoms unconnected to her mesothelioma, although the classic symptoms such as shortness of breath, dry cough and a dull ache were present.

Following her diagnosis, the mother of Martin 28, Stephanie, 23 and Hope, just 11, instructed specialist asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to help her gain answers regarding the illness and also access to vital financial support to fund her ongoing care needs.

Patricia – who is also known as Patty – believes she may have been exposed to asbestos during an 18-month period working at a residential care home called The Croft, in Eye, near Peterborough in the 1980s, immediately after she left school.

As part of their investigations, her lawyers are keen to hear from any former workmates from that period who may be able to shed further light on the presence of the deadly material.  Asbestos was removed prior to the Croft’s demolition; therefore it was known that asbestos was installed within the fabric of the building.

Martyn Hayward, the Solicitor and asbestos-related disease expert at Irwin Mitchell’s Cambridge office who is representing Patricia, said:

Expert Opinion

“While asbestos exposure is commonly linked to industrial settings, we are increasingly being contact by people who have come into contact with the material in buildings such as care homes, hospitals and schools.

“Patricia’s case is another terrible reminder of the devastating consequences that exposure to asbestos can have, with the problems only coming to light many years after the contact occurred.

“We are now determined to ensure that Patricia and her loved ones get justice for her illness and would be keen to hear from anyone with information regarding the presence of asbestos at The Croft care home.” Martyn Hayward - Solicitor

Patricia worked at The Croft as a trainee carer and started at the home straight after leaving school. The site was believed to contain asbestos up until it was removed by contractors shortly before it closed in 2012. Following its closure, the site was subsequently demolished by Peterborough County Council.

Discussing her illness, Patricia said: “I was completely devastated to get the news about mesothelioma and looking back through my life it feels like the only time I realistically could have been exposed to asbestos would have been at the home.

“It has been hard to come to terms with the cancer and I simply feel that I and my family deserve answers as to how this could have happened. If anyone can help with information regarding the presence of asbestos at The Croft it would be hugely appreciated.”

Anyone with information which may be able to help Patricia’s case should contact Martyn Hayward on 0370 1500 100 or email martyn.hayward@irwinmitchell.com.