Appeal For Former Colleagues To Help In Battle For Justice

A retired painter and decorator from North Yorkshire who was diagnosed with an asbestos-related condition last year has teamed up with legal experts to appeal for former colleagues to come forward and help him gain answers regarding the illness.

Father-of-three Barrie Ellis, 69, from Richmond, was diagnosed with pleural thickening – extensive scarring which thickens the lining of the lungs – in June after he sought medical advice for symptoms including breathlessness.

After being informed of his condition, Barrie instructed Irwin Mitchell’s specialist asbestos-related disease lawyers to investigate how he developed the illness and whether more could have been done to prevent it.

Now, as part of their work, the legal experts are appealing for Barrie’s former colleagues and anyone else who worked at Richmond Decorators (NE) Ltd between 1998 and 2004 to come forward and provide information regarding the working conditions he may have faced.

Emma Tordoff, an asbestos-related disease specialist lawyer at Irwin Mitchell who is representing Barrie, said: 

Expert Opinion

“This is yet another example of the terrible consequences that asbestos exposure can have on somebody, years after the exposure.

“Following our instruction, we have been working to develop a clearer picture of our client’s work history and are now keen to know more regarding what he would have faced during his time at Richmond Decorators (NE) Ltd.

“We would be hugely grateful to anyone who may be able to come forward and support our work, as any detail no matter how small could prove vital to our efforts.” Emma Bell - Senior Associate Solicitor

Barrie, who has been married to his wife Georgina for 49 years, recalls working in a lot of garage-like environments during his time at Richmond Decorators (NE) Ltd including an old-bus garage at Pity Me in Durham.

He said: “I seem to recall that job in particular was a subcontract for Thomas Armstrong and that we were told that asbestos was in the roof. However, while we were working to get grease off the walls other people were drilling into the ceiling and roofing to replace it, causing dust to fall on me.

“Another job I remember was at a farm in Malton, where I worked in barns and believe asbestos was present. It was very dusty but when I and others complained we were told to just get on with the work.

“The illness has had a huge impact on my life and I have had to give up hobbies like fishing and cut back on gardening as I cannot manage either very well. I feel like I deserve answers as to how this illness emerged and any help would be hugely appreciated.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Sonia Akram at Irwin Mitchell’s Newcastle office on 0191 279 0092 or email Sonia.Akram@irwinmitchell.com.

Read more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in asbestos-related disease claims.