Father-Of-Three Started To Suffer From Symptoms While Walking To Church

A former machine operator from Manchester is appealing to his former work colleagues for help after being diagnosed with an asbestos-related cancer.

Maurice Hope, 86, from Barton Bridge, was diagnosed with mesothelioma in November 2018. Mesothelioma is a cancer affecting the lining of the lungs and is linked to asbestos. The symptoms of the disease can take decades to show following the exposure to asbestos.

Following his diagnosis, the father-of-three instructed specialist lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate his exposure to the harmful asbestos dust and fibres that caused his illness and whether more could have been done to protect him.

Now, alongside his legal team at Irwin Mitchell, Maurice is appealing to any of his former colleagues at Massey Ferguson in Stretford, where he worked for over 20 years from 1965, to come forward.

Expert Opinion

Mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer which is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos. Sadly, we see a case like Maurice’s all too often, where someone is likely to have been exposed to asbestos through their work without being properly protected from it, or even having known about it, despite the dangers of asbestos having been known for a very long time.

“We are determined to find answers for Maurice, and we would be keen to speak to any of his former colleagues from Massey Ferguson in Stretford who may have information on the presence of asbestos in the premises, or anyone who remembers working with Maurice.” Edward Joy - Associate Solicitor

The grandfather-of-four began working for Massey Ferguson in 1965 at the company’s factory on Barton Dock Road in Stretford.  For the first 12 years of his employment, Maurice was employed as a capstan lathe operator, before he was moved to the far end for the last 9 years of his employment with the company prior to his retirement.

Maurice has recalled to his legal team that in the machine shop 12 inch pipes ran overhead and that he believes that these pipes were lagged with asbestos.

Maurice, a widower following the death of his wife, Margaret, in 2017, said: “I retired in 1986 and I have considered myself to have been fit and well until now.  I am 86 years old but my doctor told me that I could easily have been mistaken for a 70 year old.”

“The first time I noticed me was in September 2018 when I was walking 400 yards to the church at the bottom of the road and I needed to take several rest stops to catch my breath, which was very unnerving.  My GP sent me to hospital for chest scans and after some more tests and having some fluid drained from my lung, I was told that I have a terminal asbestos related cancer.”

Discussing the effects of his diagnosis and his hope for answers, Maurice added: “It has been a very distressing time for me since I received my diagnosis. I do not know what is ahead for me. It is difficult for me to make any plans.”

“I hope that any of my former colleagues at Massey Fergusons come forward with any information, no matter how small, so that I might be able to achieve justice.”

Anyone with any information regarding the presence of asbestos at Massey Ferguson on Barton Dock Road is urged to contact Ed Joy at Irwin Mitchell on 0161 259 1550 or at Edward.Joy@IrwinMitchell.com.