Call For Researcher’s Former Colleagues To Come Forward

The family of a Bolton man who died of an asbestos related disease in January 2017 have joined with specialist lawyers to appeal for his former workmates to come forward and help them gain answers regarding the illness which took his life.

Alan Ferguson, from Westhoughton, died aged 89 in January, around five months after he was diagnosed with asbestosis, a serious long-term lung condition caused by exposure to asbestos.

Prior to his death, Alan instructed specialist asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate his case and help him gain answers as to whether more could have been done to prevent him from developing the illness.

Now, with his daughter Janet Maxfield continuing with the claim in his memory, the legal experts are calling for anyone who worked with Alan during his time at the Turners Asbestos Cement Factory in Trafford Park between 1950 and 1979 to come forward and provide information regarding how he may have been exposed to the material at the site.

Dominic Hemsi, the legal expert at Irwin Mitchell’s Manchester office who is representing Janet, said: 

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“Through our work we have seen the terrible legacy that asbestos has had on so many lives, with victims developing terminal conditions decades after they were exposed to the material.

“Following his death, Alan’s family remain determined to ensure that they get answers regarding the illness which took his life and we would be keen to hear from anyone who can provide information which will assist with his case. Any detail could prove absolutely vital in our efforts to help Alan’s loved ones gain justice.” Dominic Hemsi - Partner

Alan worked in the Research & Development department of the Turners Asbestos Cement Factory, with the role involving the design and development of machines which would process raw asbestos materials. 

His daughter Janet said: “Before he died Dad told us numerous occasions how his job meant he had to test and observe machines while they were working, with such processes meaning that asbestos was often released into the air.

“It was incredibly difficult to watch how the asbestosis affected him in the final months and weeks of his life and the whole family remains determined to honour his memory by pushing forward with his legal claim.

“Dad spent years working for this company and we truly believe that they had a responsibility to do more to protect him from the dangers of asbestos.”

Anyone with information regarding the projects in question is asked to contact Dominic Hemsi at Irwin Mitchell’s Manchester office on 0161 259 1516 or Dominic.Hemsi2@IrwinMitchell.com. 

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