Coroner Rules Death by Frequent Exposure To Asbestos

A coroner has recently ruled death as a result of frequent exposure to deadly asbestos, in the course of a 32-year career. 

David Mills, of Quedgeley in Gloucestershire, was diagnosed with asbestos-related lung cancer in 2020. David reported that he regularly came into contact with asbestos whilst working as an electrician for the Royal Mail. David passed away on the 20th November 2023, aged 71.

David worked at various Royal Mail sites including Tewkesbury, Ross on Wye and Gloucester, from 1979 onwards. His duties covered general electrical maintenance and installation. Many of the sites he worked at were undergoing refits at the time, meaning asbestos present in roof tiles, panels and fuseboxes was disturbed. 

Whilst working on some of these sites Mills explained that the disturbed asbestos would form a ‘white powder’. He also told of working in confined spaces with no ventilation and no facemasks, as he was not made aware of the extent of the dangers of asbestos.

David Mills claimed compensation which was eventually settled by his solicitors.

At an inquest held after his death, the area coroner, Roland Wooderson, concluded that Mills’ diagnosis of mesothelioma cancer was most likely the result of asbestos exposure over an extended period, from 1979 to 2011.

During the inquest, Prof. Nick Maskell from the Bristol Academy Respiratory Unit said “In [his] opinion, Mr Mill’s asbestos exposure at this company would have been enough to cause the development of mesothelioma.

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