Plea to find colleagues after man’s death linked to asbestos

WIDOW WANTS TO MAKE CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION

THE widow of a retired construction worker is appealing for her husband’s former workmates to come forward following his death from a cancer linked to working with asbestos.

Alan Knowles, pictured, from Hinckley, died from mesothelioma, aged 75, last year.

His family said he had not realised his work had put him in danger and he died not knowing when he was exposed to the carcinogenic building material.

His wife Susan, 73, instructed specialists at Irwin Mitchell solicitors to investigate where her husband’s asbestos exposure may have taken place so that she can seek compensation.

She is appealing for the father-ofthree’s former workmates to come forward with information about the conditions he may have worked under and where.

The lawyers are particularly keen to trace anyone who remembers Alan from his time working for East Midlands Electricity Board across the East Midlands, from 1963 to 1967, and Courtaulds in Coventry, from 1969 to 1979.

Susan said: “Losing Alan was a terrible experience and the whole family is still struggling to come to terms with it.

“Alan’s diagnosis came from out of the blue and the timing during the early stages of the coronavirus lockdown couldn’t have been worse.

“Alan was an amazing husband and father and didn’t deserve this happening to him when he should have been spending time with the family and enjoying his retirement.

“Alan wanted to understand how he came to be exposed to asbestos, but the progression of his illness made that impossible. The least I can do now is look to get the answers in his memory and allow Alan to rest in peace.”

Nick Woods, of Irwin Mitchell, said: “Alan’s death is another dreadful reminder of the terrible legacy that asbestos has created.

“Understandably, Susan and the rest of the family continue to have a number of concerns about how he was exposed to hazardous asbestos.

“While nothing can make up for what’s happened we’re determined to at least provide them with the answers they deserve.”

Alan’s work for East Midlands Electricity Board involved laying mains cables. At Courtaulds, he was employed at the Foleshill Road Works plastic moulding factory.

Contact Nick Woods at Irwin Mitchell on 0114 274 4292 or: