Specialist Industrial Disease Lawyers At Irwin Mitchell Are Investigating Asbestos Exposure

The family of a man who worked across the North East are appealing to his former colleagues for help in their battle for justice after an inquest confirmed he died from asbestosis, a chronic lung condition caused by prolonged exposure to asbestos decades ago.

James Robert Renwick, from Lemington, Newcastle started to suffer from symptoms in around 2015 and sadly passed away on 12 June 2016.  An inquest into James’ death held on 11 October found that he had died from an industrial disease, with the cause of death recorded as bronchopneumonia, as a result of lung damage due to asbestosis.

Following James’ death his widow, Charlotte, and their daughter, Sally, instructed expert asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell’s Newcastle office to help investigate when and where he was exposed to asbestos during his working life.

The specialist lawyers at Irwin Mitchell believe that James could have been exposed to asbestos when working for the National Coal Board, Ever Ready Company (GB) Limited, and Anglo Great Lakes Corp Plc.

While employed by the National Coal Board, between 1955 and 1964, James worked at numerous sites, including Bessie Pit, Mary Pit, Blaydon Burn Colliery and Stargate Colliery. The working environments at these places would be very dusty and it is likely that James could have been exposed to asbestos dust on those sites.

The family’s legal team are also keen to talk to James’ former colleagues from Ever Ready Company (GB) Ltd, a battery manufacturer, where James worked between 1970 and 1974. The firm had numerous factories across the UK, the largest of which was at Tanfield Lane, County Durham. James was employed at the Newburn Factory. 

The family have been unable to recall many details about the working environment at the factory to their legal team and as a result any of James’ former colleagues are urged to contact them with information on what the factory was like and whether it is possible that James would have been exposed to asbestos while working there.

Charlotte and Sally’s legal team are also investigating whether James may have been exposed to asbestos while employed at Anglo Great Lakes Corp Plc, between 1974 and 1992. The firm was a large graphite manufacturer, situated at Newburn Haugh, near Lemington.

It is likely that James would have come into contact with asbestos at the works as the plant contained pipework that was lagged with asbestos. It is also believed that people used asbestos on the plant to insulate furnaces and other equipment. James worked in and around the furnaces every day.

Charlotte recalls how James, who was employed as a labourer at the works, would return home from each shift covered in a layer of thick black dust. She said: “James would be absolutely covered from head to toe when he returned from work. I would have to put his clothes in the washing machine on their own, then run the washing machine again while it was empty to clean it after washing his clothes.

“I feel that the public should know about the hidden dangers that could lead to asbestosis, mesothelioma and other terrible industrial diseases. James and his co-workers were not adequately protected from the harmful asbestos that ultimately took him away from me and his family.

“I hope James’ former colleagues at the employers mentioned will come forward with the crucial information that my lawyers require to help get some justice for him.”

Emma Tordoff, a Solicitor and expert industrial disease lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Charlotte, said: 

Expert Opinion

“Industrial diseases like asbestosis, which are caused by exposure to asbestos dust decades ago, can cause a great deal of pain and suffering for victims like James, and their families.

“The fact that we are as yet unsure of where James came into contact with asbestos makes this case even more difficult, as without knowing this we are unable to press ahead fully and ensure we secure justice for James and Charlotte.

“We urge anyone who may hold information about asbestos being present at any of the workplaces mentioned to please get in touch.” Emma Bell - Senior Associate Solicitor

Anyone with information on the working conditions at any of the places mentioned are urged to contact Michael McGowan on 0191 279 0104 or email Michael.McGowan@IrwinMitchell.com.