Christine Dumford Worked At Diana Shoemakers As A Machinist In The 1960s

The family of a shoemaker diagnosed with terminal asbestos-related cancer have vowed to continue her fight for answers after she lost her battle with the disease on 31 January, 2017.

Christine Dumford, from Glenfield, Leicester, worked as a machinist for Diana Shoemakers on Hollow Road in Anstey from approximately 1960 to 1965.

The 71-year-old instructed expert asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate her time at the manufacturers after she was diagnosed with mesothelioma in July 2016. 

At the time, Christine appealed for former colleagues to come forward to help determine how she came to be exposed to the substance. However her appeal was unsuccessful.

Now Christine’s husband, Rodney, says he will continue the appeal, a year after her death, in hope of the employer responsible for her safety being held to account.

Mesothelioma is an aggressive and incurable asbestos related cancer that can take decades to develop after exposure to asbestos dust, usually in the workplace but also increasingly via exposure in public buildings, such as schools. 

Rodney said: “A year on from Christine’s death and I still miss her more and more each day that passes. Her diagnosis came as a real a shock because, as far as she was aware, she had never been directly or knowingly exposed to asbestos. 

“She was just at a loss as to how it happened and the not knowing just compounded her distress and it continues to compound our devastation as a family the longer the unknowing continues.

“Going over someone’s working life – over 50 years – was a lot for Christine, but she was desperate to reach out to anyone who worked at Diana Shoemakers for help piecing the puzzle together.

“I’d like to mark the one year anniversary of Christine’s death by renewing her appeal and ask anyone who thinks they might know how Christine came into contact with asbestos, or remembers anything about asbestos on the premises, to get in touch with my legal team at Irwin Mitchell.”

Following a CT scan and biopsy at Leicester Royal Infirmary, and further appointments at Glenfield Hospital and Leicester Royal Infirmary, she was given the devastating news that she had malignant peritoneal mesothelioma and that, unfortunately, her condition was terminal. 

Adrian Budgen, an expert asbestos-related disease lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, representing Christine, said: 

Expert Opinion

“A year on from her death, we are still working hard to get answers for Christine’s family, regarding her exposure to asbestos.

“Unlike other asbestos related conditions, such as asbestosis, mesothelioma can occur after exposure to very minimal levels of asbestos dust.

“Mesothelioma is a very aggressive form of cancer which causes a significant amount of pain and suffering for victims like Christine and employers should have been well aware of the dangers posed by asbestos to their staff.

“Those who worked alongside Christine may have important information on the presence of asbestos at the factory. They may also have details of any measures, if any, taken to reduce potential exposure to the harmful dust.

“We hope former colleagues will come forward with the crucial information we need to get these answers for Christine’s family.” Adrian Budgen - Partner

Anyone who recalls working with Christine at Diana Shoemakers on Hollow Road in Anstey should contact Kerry Ford at Irwin Mitchell Solicitors on 0370 1500 100 or email Kerry.Ford@Irwinmitchell.com.

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