Expert Asbestos-Related Disease Lawyers Issue Court Proceedings as Gosforth Family Battle for Answers

The family of an elderly former brake fitter from Newcastle Upon Tyne, who died from an asbestos-related cancer, have taken an important step towards getting answers for him after lawyers at Irwin Mitchell issued court proceedings against one of his former employers.

George Highmoor, 81, who lived in Gosforth, was diagnosed with mesothelioma in July 2016. Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the lungs caused by exposure to asbestos decades before symptoms appear. Sadly, George passed away in January this year.

Before his death, George instructed a team of expert asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate how and where he was exposed to the harmful dust and fibres and whether more could have been done to protect him. 

Prior to his death, the legal team at Irwin Mitchell issued formal High Court proceedings against Firestone Tyre and Rubber Co Limited, one of George’s former employers, after they refused to admit responsibility for his illness. Now George’s family have taken over his case and are continuing to pursue his former employer. 

With the backing of Irwin Mitchell, George’s family are appealing to former colleagues who worked with him during 1968 and 1969 at the Firestone workshop that was situated on Pump Street in Blackburn to come forward with information about the working conditions at the workshop.

While working there, George believed he was exposed to asbestos when trimming the sides of brake linings, which created a high amount of dust which lingered in the air due to a lack of extraction in the workshop. Before his death, he told his legal team that he was not warned about the dangers of asbestos or provided with overalls or protective equipment, such as a face-mask.

Roger Maddocks, a Partner and expert industrial disease lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing the family, said: 

Expert Opinion

“Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer, caused by exposure to asbestos dust decades ago, which can cause a great deal of pain and suffering for victims like George.

“We are working with George’s family in their fight for justice to find out how he was exposed to asbestos, and why his employer did not provide him with the appropriate protective clothing or equipment despite the dangers being known for many years prior to his employment.

“We urge any of George’s former colleagues at the Firestone workshop in Blackburn to come forward with any information they have about the working conditions at the workshop in 1968 and 1969.” Roger Maddocks - Partner

Lilian Mount, who is the sister of George’s partner, Fred Dudding, said: "It was incredibly difficult to see how George’s health deteriorated so quickly in his final few months of life.

“His death has left me and the rest of the family with so many unanswered questions and I just want to how he came to be exposed to asbestos and whether more should have been done to protect him from the risks.

“I urge anyone who has information that could be relevant and helpful to my legal team to get in touch as soon as possible.”

Anyone with information should contact Sonia Akram 0191 434 0719 or email Sonia.Akram@IrwinMitchell.com.

Read more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in mesothelioma claims.