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

Lawyers acting for a man who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, an asbestos-related cancer, are appealing to his former colleagues for information as they piece together the man’s exposure to the harmful asbestos.

The man, who wishes to remain anonymous, is now in his early 60s. He was diagnosed with mesothelioma in March following tests.

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.

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

After reviewing his work history, his legal team at Irwin Mitchell believe he was exposed to asbestos when working on the demolition of the Old  hospital Laundry at  West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds in July and August in 1973. 

Rosemary Giles, a Partner and specialist asbestos-related disease specialist at Irwin Mitchell representing the man, said:

Expert Opinion

“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 our client and the rest of his family.

“We are determined to help them get answers regarding his illness and, as part of our work, would be keen to hear from find anyone who may know about the presence of asbestos exposure at the Old Laundry at the West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds during the early and mid-1970s.” Rosemary Giles - Partner

The number of deaths caused by mesothelioma between 1981 and 2015 in Suffolk stood at 764, highlighting the rarity of the disease. While the majority of those who died were men, 133 women from Suffolk lost their life to mesothelioma.

Speaking about his diagnosis, the man said: “I was absolutely devastated when I was told I have mesothelioma. I am still trying to come to terms with it. 

“The disease has had a significant impact on my day to day life. I have had to slow down since I was diagnosed, I can’t be as active as I used to be and that can be frustrating at times.

“I only worked at the Old Laundry for a short period, but I remember I would be covered in white dust at the end of the day because I was there to help with the demolition process.

“I urge anyone who worked there in 1973 and is able to provide any information on the presence of asbestos to my legal team at Irwin Mitchell to please come forward.”

Anyone with details regarding the presence of asbestos at the Old Laundry at Old West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds should contact Rosemary Giles at Irwin Mitchell’s Cambridge office on 01223 791 810 or e-mail Rosemary.Giles@IrwinMitchell.com. 

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