Family Continues Justice Battle After Welder Dies Of Mesothelioma Caused By Asbestos-Laden Safety Blankets
24/02/2011
The family of a former welder, who died from a lung disease which he believed was caused by the safety equipment that was supposed to protect him, have appealed for his former colleagues to come forward and support their fight for justice.
John William Turner, 70, died in January 2011, just six months after first experiencing symptoms caused by the asbestos related cancer mesothelioma.
Mr Turner, who worked as a welder for Blackett and Charlton, was diagnosed with the asbestos related lung disease in November 2010 after first experiencing breathlessness in August that year.
Between 1968 and 1984, Mr Turner regularly used asbestos blankets whilst employed at Blackett and Charlton (now known as Charlton Leslie), as well as at ICI Billingham, ICI Wilton and North Tees Oil Refinery Plant and was convinced that it was the use of these asbestos safety blankets that was responsible for his illness.
Asbestos safety blankets were used to prevent any stray sparks from igniting any oil, petrol or other flammable materials which may have spilt in or around Mr Turner’s work area.
Prior to his death, Mr Turner sought help from Roger Maddocks, a partner and industrial illness specialist at the Newcastle office of Irwin Mitchell, to support his bid for justice against his former employers. Following his death, Mr Turner’s family has decided to continue the legal battle in his memory.
Mr Maddocks said: “For seven years Mr Turner worked extremely closely with safety blankets made from asbestos – the very equipment which was issued to protect him as he worked. Little did he know that over 35 years later it would be these items that would cause him to develop such a terrible illness as mesothelioma.
“We are now looking for Mr Turner’s former colleagues from the ICI Billingham, Wilton Plants and North Tees Oil Refinery Plant to come forward to help support this case and to bring his former employers, who he worked for loyally for over 15 years, to justice.”
In a statement made before his death Mr Turner said: “I still cannot believe that the materials which were provided to protect us could be so dangerous.
“If I was working close to the ground I would often lie on the safety blankets. When I’d stand up my blue boiler suit would be covered in grey dust – not knowing the dangers which it posed I would simply brush it off, releasing the substance into the atmosphere and helping it to spread through the air.
“We should never have been using these blankets and I’m angry that Blackett and Charlton were able to get away with using them for so long – they have put so many people’s lives as risk and should now have to answer to their actions.”
As a result of his illness Mr Turner, who retired in December 2001, became increasingly breathless and in the weeks leading up to his death was unable to walk further than two hundred yards without becoming out of breath.
Roger Maddocks of Irwin Mitchell is interested in speaking to employees who worked at the ICI Billingham, Wilton Plants and North Tees Oil Refinery Plant from 1968 to 1975. Anyone who has any information should contact Roger Maddocks at Irwin Mitchell on 0191 279 0095.
Back to news