Search on for former British Telecom workers after West Midlands woman dies from asbestos related cancer
24/06/2010
The family of a West Midlands woman who died from an asbestos related form of cancer is appealing for her former work colleagues to come forward and support them in their battle for justice.
The family of 64-year-old Pamela Siviter are appealing for former workers at British Telecom's Tipton and West Bromwich exchanges to come forward following her death on 26th August 2008 from mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer which is usually caused by exposure to asbestos. She leaves behind her husband of 44 years, Arthur, as well as two children and three grandchildren.
Mrs Siviter was employed by British Telecom as a switchboard operator at the Tipton exchange in Horsley Heath between 1976 and 1982, before being relocated to the now closed West Bromwich exchange until her retirement in 1992. It is believed that she may have been exposed to asbestos fibres during this time.
Mrs Siviter's husband, Arthur commented: "Pamela was the centre of our family and lived for her children and grandchildren. She passed away after a short illness and the whole family were completely in shock.
"Her initial symptoms indicated problems with her gallbladder, but a subsequent operation confirmed the presence of cancer and so no inquest or post mortem was carried out. However, we requested that some of Pamela’s tissue samples were investigated further and in November 2008 we discovered that her death was in keeping with mesothelioma."
Ronan Hynes, a workplace illness expert from the Birmingham office of Irwin Mitchell, is representing the Siviter family in their claim for compensation.
He commented: "Pamela's family are still trying to come to terms with her death and in particular the shock of discovering that the illness which cut short her life was possibly as a result of an industrial illness.
"Over two thousand people are diagnosed with mesothelioma every year and it is almost always caused by asbestos exposure. It does not respond well to treatment, and treatment options are limited. Employers have a duty to take precautions in limiting employees' exposure to asbestos. There is no safe type of asbestos and even low levels of exposure can pose a serious risk."
"In order to assist the family in obtaining justice, we would like to hear from anyone who can help us identify where Mrs Siviter may have been exposed to asbestos.
"We would be very interested to hear from anyone who worked at the BT telephone exchange in Horsley Heath, Tipton or at the High Street, West Bromwich exchange from the mid 1970s to late 1990s."
Anyone who is able to help can contact Ronan Hynes at Irwin Mitchell on 0870 1500 100 or ronan.hynes@irwinmitchell.com.
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