Specialist Lawyers At Irwin Mitchell Are Investigating Woman’s Asbestos Exposure

A retired lecturer and teacher who formerly worked at Darlington College of Technology is appealing to her former colleagues and students for help after instructing specialist lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate her exposure to asbestos after being diagnosed with an asbestos related lung cancer.

Margaret Curry (nee Callan), 73, who now lives in Durham was diagnosed with mesothelioma in November 2017. The illness is a cancer of the lining of the lung caused by exposure to asbestos but it takes decades for symptoms to appear following the exposure.

Following her diagnosis, Margaret instructed specialist asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate how she developed the illness and whether more should have been done to protect her from the risk of exposure.

Margaret’s expert legal team believe she was most likely exposed to the harmful asbestos dust and fibres while employed as a lecturer at Darlington College of Technology, between 1973 and 1996. 

Margaret has recalled that, sometime between 1975 and 1980, work was carried out at Darlington College of Technology to remove asbestos in the ceilings. The work was carried out in a number of classrooms and practical work rooms where she regularly worked. Margaret's staffroom was also adjacent to the rooms being stripped of the asbestos where she spent much of her working day. 

Margaret, who has been married to her husband Ian Curry, 75, for 36 years, said: “When the work was carried out at the college in Darlington, the workmen wore overalls which I believe were contaminated with asbestos dust. They passed through common areas in their overalls. The common areas near the rooms they were working in were noticeably dustier than usual when the work was being carried out.”

Roger Maddocks, the specialist asbestos-related disease lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Margaret, said: 

Expert Opinion

“Mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer which causes a significant amount of pain and suffering for those like Margaret.

“The risks of developing mesothelioma as a result of ‘bystander exposure’ to asbestos dust have been public knowledge since the 1960’s so to learn that people were exposed to the fibres much later is devastating for the individuals and the families who come to us.

“Those who worked alongside Margaret may have important information on the presence of asbestos at Darlington College of Technology as well as details of safety measures, if any, taken to protect staff from exposure to it.

“We hope former colleagues, students and others familiar with Darlington College of Technology will come forward with this crucial information so we can get justice for Margaret. We would also like to hear from any of the workmen involved in removing the asbestos from the ceilings at the college.” Roger Maddocks - Partner

Margaret first began to notice her symptoms in September. These included shortness of breath and chest pains. Margaret was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a disease for which there is no cure, in November after undergoing tests at North Durham University Hospital and the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle. 

Prior to her diagnosis, Margaret, a mother-of-one, was a keen gardener and walker. However as her symptoms have got worse, she has been unable to do these activities.

Margaret added: “My diagnosis came as a complete shock to me. To learn it has most likely come from exposure to asbestos while I was working has made me very angry.

“I just want answers for how I was allowed to be exposed to asbestos. If anyone can help with information on the presence of asbestos at Darlington College of Technology, I urge them to contact my legal team at Irwin Mitchell.”

The team at Irwin Mitchell would also encourage anyone who worked with Margaret at Bernard Gilpin Secondary School, Houghton le Spring, between 1965 and 1968, or worked with her at Mid-Warwickshire College of Further Education, Leamington Spa, from 1967 to 1971, or at Elgin Senior High School, Gateshead, in 1971 to contact them.

Anyone with information should contact Michael McGowan on 0191 434 0704 or email Michael.McGowan@IrwinMitchell.com.

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