Appeal Launched For Tyne and Wear Man’s Old Workmates To Come Forward

The family of a former labourer from Tyne and Wear who died last year from lung cancer have joined with legal experts to call on workmates from two of his old jobs to come forward and help them gain answers regarding his illness.

Father-of-four Dennis Hague, from Rowlands Gill, died in April 2017 aged 73, around five months after doctors informed him he had developed lung cancer.

Following his death, his family instructed specialist lawyers at Irwin Mitchell’s Newcastle office to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death and whether his death could have been linked to asbestos exposure during his working life.

Now, as part of their on-going efforts, the legal experts are keen to hear from anyone who may have worked with Dennis – who was also known as Den – during his time working for Hunt Contracts (Lemington) Ltd between 1972 and 1974 and during his employment at M Grady Builder (Newcastle) Ltd from 1974 to 1978.

Emma Tordoff, the specialist asbestos-related disease lawyer at Irwin Mitchell who is representing Dennis’ family, said: 

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“Just a year on from Dennis passing away, his loved ones remain desperate for answers as to how he developed lung cancer.

“With this in mind, we are keen to learn more about the conditions he would have faced during work at both Hunt Contracts (Lemington) Ltd and M Grady Builder (Newcastle) Ltd and are particularly keen to learn more about the potential presence of asbestos.

“Any information could prove absolutely vital in our efforts to not only gain answers for his family, but also to ensure that they can secure justice regarding his death.” Emma Bell - Senior Associate Solicitor

Dennis’ son Paul, 46, instructed Irwin Mitchell and has told the legal team how his uncle Ernest worked with his father at several jobs throughout his life.

Looking back at his work history, Ernest said: “I worked with Den at Hunt Contracts (Lemington) Ltd, although at the time we knew it simply as Peter Hunt. Among the jobs we did was work to refurbish more than 50 houses on a council estate in Ryton.

“I remember that the job involved stripping the houses completely, from removing doorframes to taking out fireplaces, chimneys and ceilings. In terms of the latter, asbestos sheeting was often present and removing the ceilings would release a huge amount of dust. 

“There were also asbestos roofs on some outbuildings and while we would very occasionally be given masks to wear, they tended to be cheap and ineffective.

“Den moved on to M Grady shortly before I joined and the work for that company was very similar. 

“The whole family remains devastated that Den is no longer with us, yet we can’t help but think there are still so many questions about how he developed lung cancer. The family would be hugely grateful to anyone who might have information which could help us in our search for answers.”

Anyone with information related to this case is asked to contact Sonia Akram at Irwin Mitchell’s Newcastle office on 0191 279 0095 or email Sonia.Akram@irwinmitchell.com. 

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