Widow And Lawyers Battle For Justice Regarding Asbestos Exposure

The widow of a man who died last year just days after being diagnosed with an aggressive asbestos-related cancer has joined with lawyers to call on former colleagues from several of his past jobs to help them gain answers regarding his death.

Peter Trelease, known to friends and family as “Pete”, was born in Kingston-upon-Thames in 1951, but during his adult life lived in Farnham and Camberley in Surrey, and later in Barnet, North London. He was diagnosed with mesothelioma, an incurable disease caused by asbestos exposure, on 6 June 2016, and died just five days later aged 64, and only 2 weeks away from retirement, following a rapid deterioration in his health.

Whilst he was able to instruct specialist asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell shortly before his death, the legal experts never had an opportunity to discuss his work history with him. His widow, Paulette, did not know him in the 1970s and 1980s, when exposure to the deadly mineral most likely occurred.

As a result, Paulette and the legal team at Irwin Mitchell are now calling on anyone who worked with Peter during his time in a number of roles in those decades, including a position at the Ministry of Defence in Sandhurst, to come forward to help them understand the working conditions he may have faced.

Ian Bailey, the specialist asbestos lawyer at Irwin Mitchell’s London office who is representing Paulette, said: 

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“Pete’s case is a terrible reminder of the huge impact that mesothelioma can have on victims, with the devastating symptoms often emerging decades after initial exposure.

“Unfortunately, the speed of his illness meant we were unable to discuss with Pete where and when he felt he may have been exposed to asbestos, so we are now seeking information from anyone who worked with him in a range of roles where he could have come into contact with asbestos.

“This detail could prove absolutely vital in helping Paulette get the justice for Pete that she deserves, so any help could make a huge difference.” Ian Bailey - Partner

Peter worked at the Ministry of Defence in Sandhurst between 1975 and 1976 and returned for a longer stint from 1979 to 1986. During his time there he worked as an Assistant Scientific Officer and undertook a range of tasks including operating CCTV, setting up laboratory demonstrations and maintenance of laboratories and CCTV studios.  

During his break from the MoD, Peter worked for the BBC at Wood Lane in Shepherd’s Bush as a camera operator in late 1976 for a few months. 

Following his time at the MoD, he was employed as a technician at BT between 1986 and 1988, working in various parts of the BT Exchange building in Basingstoke, as well as at customers’ premises. Peter also worked for Band Three Radio in Basingstoke in 1989 testing circuits.   

Peter also worked briefly in 1973 and 1974 for LWT in Southbank, at Natwest Bank in Farnham as a clerk and for J Walter Thompson in Berkeley Square, London, as a Telecine Operator. In 1977 he worked for the Fire Services Staff College in Dorking as a Clerical Assistant, while he worked as a Camera Operator for the British Council in Tavistock Square and for the Service Kinema Corporation in Buckinghamshire in 1978.

Discussing her loss, Paulette said: “It was devastating to lose Peter so quickly after his diagnosis. 

“It is so hard to come to terms with his death not knowing how he came to be exposed to asbestos. I just have so many questions regarding what happened.

“If anyone with information about Pete’s work is able to come forward and help, it would mean so much.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Ian Bailey at Irwin Mitchell’s London office on 0207 421 3694 or email Ian.Bailey@irwinmitchell.com.