Specialist Lawyers Are Investigating Man’s Exposure To Asbestos

The widow of a man who died from the asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma is appealing to his former colleagues for help to shed light on his exposure to asbestos dust during his employment with Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI).

Bernard Jackman, from Huddersfield, lost his fight with mesothelioma in November 2016 aged 76. Mesothelioma is a cancer affecting the lining of the lungs that is caused by exposure to asbestos often decades before the symptoms begin to show.

An inquest into Bernard’s death has been listed for 11 October at Bradford Coroner’s Court, beginning at 11:30am.

Bernard’s widow, Norma, 74, still lives in Huddersfield and has vowed to continue battling for answers after his death and has instructed specialist industrial illness lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate whether more could have been done by his former employers to protect him.

Together, Norma and her legal team are appealing for help from his former colleagues at ICI in Huddersfield, where it is believed he may have been exposed to the deadly dust during his employment there in 1972 and 1973.

Prior to his death, following his diagnosis, Bernard recalled to Norma how when he had been employed at ICI he had been cleaning out the pipes at the firm’s site in Huddersfield. It was Bernard’s belief that he had been removing asbestos from the pipes.

Norma, who married Bernard in 1967, said: “It was absolutely awful to have to watch Bernard suffer from the effects of the mesothelioma.  He lost a lot of weight, very quickly and his poor health impacted on both of us greatly.

“I remember him coming home from work each day and his overalls would be covered in dust. He would have to shake the dust off them as soon he got home as it would be all over them.

“I urge any of his former colleagues ICI to contact my legal team at Irwin Mitchell if they feel they can provide any details that can help this investigation and help my lawyers get justice for Bernard and ensure those responsible for his exposure to asbestos are held to account.”

Bernard began to feel unwell in April 2016, complaining of dizziness. On 27 April, Bernard collapsed and was taken to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, where he stayed for three days. Just over two weeks later, at Halifax Hospital, Bernard was diagnosed with mesothelioma.

Lucy Andrews, a specialist industrial disease solicitor based at Irwin Mitchell’s Leeds office who represents Norma, said: “Before he died, Bernard remembered being exposed to asbestos when he was working at ICI in Huddersfield, in the early 1970’s, when the dangers of the lethal dust were known.

“Despite this, he was never warned of the dangers of working with asbestos or provided with any protection.

“Over 2000 people every year are diagnosed with mesothelioma.  Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos.  It does not respond well to treatment and treatment options are limited.  Employers have a duty to take precautions with asbestos exposure.  There is no safe type of asbestos and no safe level of asbestos exposure.”

Norma has recalled to her legal team how Bernard, who also suffered from schizophrenia, spoke often of a person named Eddy Firth. It is believed this is the name of Bernard’s boss at ICI and the pair worked closely together.

Lucy said: “We would like to hear from anyone who can provide details of the working conditions at ICI in the early 1970’s, particularly ICI Huddersfield. If the name Eddy Firth is familiar to any former ICI employees, we would also appreciate if you contacted us.”

Anybody who knows or worked with Bernard and can provide any information is asked to contact Lucy Andrews at Irwin Mitchell on 0113 394 6782 or e-mail Lucy.Andrews@irwinmitchell.com.