Specialist Lawyers At Irwin Mitchell Helped To Recover Hospice Costs

The family of a Whitby man who died of mesothelioma, an asbestos-related cancer caused by exposure to the dangerous dust decades ago have reached a four-figure settlement with the insurers of one of his former employers, with the funds going towards helping St Leonards Hospice, York that cared for him at the end of his life.

Colin Weatherill was diagnosed with mesothelioma in September 2014, and passed away January 2015, aged 71. Before his death he instructed expert asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate how and where he came into contact with the deadly material.

He believed he was exposed to asbestos at three of his former employers, Xervon Palmers Ltd, GKN Mills, and Monk & Co.

Colin first began working for Monk & Co, based at ICI Wilton on Teesside, in January 1964 as a labourer. Part of his role would require him to collect and move sacks of asbestos that were on site. During this process, sometimes the bag would rip exposing Colin to asbestos.

One detail Colin recalled to his legal team while he was still alive was that when he was employed by Xervon Palmers Ltd, GKN Mills, or Monk & Co, he was never provided with overalls or safety equipment to protect him from the deadly substance.

Lucy Andrews, an expert in asbestos related disease cases at Irwin Mitchell who acted for Colin’s family, said; “Mesothelioma causes over 2,500 deaths every year in the UK and causes a great deal of pain and suffering for victims like Colin and his family.

“On this occasion, the disease took hold of Colin following his diagnosis and meant he was forced to give up many of the things he enjoyed.

“Sadly, many employers did not do enough to manage the risks of asbestos exposure, despite knowing the dangers it posed to workers’ health.”

As his condition deteriorated, Colin was cared for by St Leonard’s Hospice, York, an independent charity, providing specialist palliative care and support for local people with life limiting illnesses.

Colin’s daughter Rachel Harrison, 46, has already announced her intention to donate the funds recovered by the solicitors at Irwin Mitchell from the relevant insurers of the three firms to St Leonard’s Hospice. 

The Hospice’s care is free of charge to patients, but not free to provide as the charity relies heavily on the generosity of the public, meaning the funds secured by Irwin Mitchell will be put towards providing care for future patients.

Rachel, who is one of three children Colin had with his wife, Pam, before her death in 2011, said: “Colin’s death has been difficult for us all to come to terms with and one of the primary reasons for taking legal action was to recoup the cost of care provided to him by the staff at St. Leonard’s Hospice. Thanks to Irwin Mitchell, we have been able to do that.

“All of us have at some time been touched by a friend or family member who has been diagnosed with a type of cancer and we have seen the amazing job the dedicated staff at St. Leonard’s do to make people as comfortable as possible in their final days.”