
Investigation into Dock Workers Asbestos-Related Death Continues
Raymond Lewis, a dockyard worker at the Port of Tilbury in Essex, died of an asbestos-related cancer called mesothelioma. His cause of death was not confirmed until after his death when a post-mortem was conducted.
His wife now believes asbestos was present in the roofs he worked on at the dockyard, and she is seeking witness evidence from his employees at the time. She believes her husband died as a result of asbestos exposure whilst working for the Port of London Authority between 1961 and 1988.
Leigh Day solicitors are representing Mrs Lewis in her appeal to find people who knew Mr Lewis whilst working at the docks, or who might be able to confirm that asbestos was present at the dockyard whilst he was working there.
A personal injury solicitor from Leigh Day reported that Mr Lewis “Told his family how he sawed asbestos sheets to size for roofs of buildings at Tilbury Docks”. Unfortunately, he passed away before his diagnosis was confirmed and before any concrete evidence could be taken.
Mrs Lewis, and her solicitors, are looking to speak to anyone who worked at the docks in Tilbury between 1961 to 1988.
How Does Asbestos Cause Mesothelioma
Asbestos causes mesothelioma by irritating, inflaming and damaging the cells in the lining of the lungs, the heart or the abdomen. This irritation can cause scar tissue to develop, which can then progress to cancer.
- As microscopic asbestos fibres are inhaled they get into the lungs, where they can bed into the mesothelium (which is the lining of the chest, heart and stomach)
- Over time these fibres cause irritation and inflammation, which can build into scar tissue
- In some cases, that scar tissue can then develop into malignant mesothelioma tumours. Often, this process will happen anywhere from 20-50 years later
Whilst asbestos was banned in 1999, many people in the UK could still be at risk of developing these symptoms, especially if they worked with the material before it was banned.
There are still many buildings that contain the material, and if this material is disturbed, damaged or mishandled, it can present a significant health risk.
If you think there is asbestos in a building you own, work in or live in, you should arrange an asbestos survey to confirm the presence of the material.
As part of the ongoing management of asbestos containing materials (ACMs), continual monitoring post asbestos survey is required at regular intervals. Any ACM identified or suspected ACM will need to be inspected periodically to check that it has not deteriorated or sustained damage. As a minimum, ACMs should be checked every six to twelve months.
To get a quote for an asbestos survey, get in touch with our team at 0800 Asbestos.
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