Specialist Lawyers At Irwin Mitchell Are Investigating Man’s Exposure To Asbestos

The widow of a man from Newcastle, who was diagnosed with an asbestos-related cancer shortly before his death, is appealing to his ex-colleagues for information about the working conditions at her husband’s former workplace.

Jean Bould, 78, lost her husband of 57 years, Richard Bould, on 7 June, 2018, aged 78, after he was diagnosed with mesothelioma in December 2017.

Mesothelioma is an aggressive, and terminal, form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos, often decades before victims begin to suffer with symptoms. According to the latest statistics from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) more than 2,500 people in the UK lose their lives to the disease every year.

The number of deaths caused by mesothelioma between 1981 and 2015 in the Tyne and Wear area alone stood at 2,319, with the rest of the North East recording 3,979 across the same period. While the majority related to men, both regions also recorded hundreds of female deaths.

Following his diagnosis, Richard had instructed specialist asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell’s Newcastle office to investigate his exposure to asbestos and whether more could have been to protect him.

After his death, Jean has continued the case and now, with her legal team at Irwin Mitchell, is appealing to his former workmates at Mitchell Bearings, which was part of Vickers. Richard worked for the firm between November 1973 and October 1999, and was based on a site on the north side of the River Tyne between the river and Scotswood Road.

Richard was initially employed by the firm as a Radial Arm Driller before becoming a Horizontal Driller. 

Jean’s legal team are also keen to speak to his former colleagues from J S Spencers Newburn, where he worked between 1955 and 1960, and at tool suppliers Henry Osborne, at which Richard was employed as a Warehouseman between 1962 and 1964.

Richard’s former workmates at Radlec Engineering Company Ltd, based at Radlec Works, Newburn Bridge Road in Blaydon are also asked to contact his widow’s legal team if they have any information on the presence of asbestos at the workplace. Richard started as a Storeman in 1964 and then became a Radial Arm Driller before leaving the firm in 1971.

Jean, who lived with Richard in Throckley before his death, said: “We are desperate to hear from anyone who could tell us more about the working environments that Richard would have worked in at Mitchell Bearings, J S Spencers Newburn, and Henry Osborne.

“The disease had a significant impact on his day-to-day life, it was horrible to see him suffer as he did. He often would have serious discomfort in his chest and would become breathless a lot more frequently than he did before his diagnosis.”

Mesothelioma is most commonly associated with heavy industry and the building trade and the vast majority of deaths from mesothelioma are in people over the age of 65. It is predicted that mesothelioma deaths will continue to rise every year before reaching a peak in about 2020.

Roger Maddocks, a Partner and asbestos-related disease specialist at Irwin Mitchell representing Jean, said: 

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“This is yet another tragic example highlighting the effects of asbestos exposure, when a person has developed an asbestos-related illness many years after they were most likely initially exposed to the material.

“We know from our experience how heartbreaking it can be for the friends and family of those diagnosed with mesothelioma, and it has been no different for Jean and the rest of the family.

“We are determined to help them get answers regarding Richard’s death and, as part of our work, would be keen to hear from anyone who he has worked with during his time at the Mitchell Bearings, J S Spencers Newburn, and Henry Osborne.

“Information on the working conditions he has faced could prove absolutely vital in our efforts to ensure that he and his family get the justice they deserve.” Roger Maddocks - Partner

Jean added: “We just want to know how he was exposed to asbestos and ensure any failures to protect him are identified, so we can get some justice for him.”

Anyone with details regarding working conditions at any of the companies mentioned should contact Sonia Akram at Irwin Mitchell’s Newcastle office on 0191 434 0719 or e-mail Sonia.Akram@IrwinMitchell.com. 

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