Widow of Former Laundry Delivery Man Seeks Help from Factory Workers after Asbestos Death
14/09/2011
The devastated widow of a Worcestershire laundry delivery man has launched an emotional appeal to find her husband’s former work colleagues and customers after he tragically died of the asbestos related cancer, mesothelioma.
Doreen Hulme is calling for anyone who may have worked with her husband Barry Hulme, to support her fight for justice after he tragically passed away in April 2011, just seven months after being diagnosed with mesothelioma, aged 69.
Mr Hulme, who lived in Wychbold near Droitwich, is believed to have been exposed to deadly asbestos dust during the 23 years he spent delivering linen to a number of factories, foundries and steel works throughout the Black Country area between 1961 and 1984.
An inquest held by HM Coroner for Worcestershire, Geraint Williams, in May this year confirmed that Mr Hulme had died from an industrial disease.
Now his widow, with the help of specialist industrial illness lawyers at Irwin Mitchell, is seeking factory and foundry workers who may be able to provide additional information as to how he came into contact with the lethal fibres.
Doreen believes Barry’s health problems were caused during the 23 years that he worked for Kingswinford based Advance Linen Services Limited. His job involved collecting and delivering laundry to customers’ premises, including factories, foundries and steel works in the Black Country area.
It is believed that the laundry he collected contained dirty overalls of workers from these factories, which are likely to have been contaminated with asbestos dust. During his time with the company, he collected and delivered linen to well-known local companies, including Stewarts and Lloyds in Bilston, Patent Shaft in Wednesbury, Round Oak Steel Works in Brierley Hill, Henley Foundries in Cradley Heath and Hingleys Iron and Steel in Old Hill. He also made regular visits to BRD, a casting factory based in Aldridge, Albright and Wilsons, and also to Lucas at their Farm Street and Great Hampton Street factories.
Commenting on her husband’s death, Doreen Hulme said: “Barry and I had been married for 36 years. When we were told about his diagnosis we were both completely devastated. This terrible illness took him so very quickly and he suffered a great deal in the last months of his life.
“My husband worked hard all his life and to know that his work was ultimately responsible for his death is hard to bear. Our family have also been devastated by his death and we are all desperate to see justice is done.”
Hayley Hill, a workplace illness expert with Irwin Mitchell solicitor’s Birmingham office, is representing the family. She said: “Barry knew that asbestos exposure was responsible for his aggressive cancer and the last few months of his life battling this terrible illness were particularly difficult.
“Many of the premises he delivered to were factories and foundries which routinely used asbestos.
“In order to help his widow conclude her fight for justice, I am particularly keen to hear from workers at any of the factories Barry visited between 1961 and 1984 as they may have key information about the presence of asbestos and working practices at these premises.”
Anyone who can help with any information is asked to contact Hayley Hill at Irwin Mitchell on 0870 1500 100 or email hayley.hill@irwinmitchell.com
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