Appeal after GPO worker dies from asbestos disease
TELEPHONE EXCHANGE OPERATOR WORKED IN DIDSBURY IN THE 1960S
THE family of a woman who died from an asbestos-related disease have launched an appeal for more information surrounding her death.
Vera Griffiths died from mesothelioma, a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos, at the age of 83 in April 2018.
It is believed that Vera was exposed to asbestos while working as an operator in the GPO telephone exchange in Didsbury in the 1960s.
Originally from South Yorkshire, Vera moved to Manchester in the late 50s with her husband and the pair lived together in Newall Green in Wythenshawe.
She left the telephone exchange after a few years in 1962 while pregnant with her only child.
Son Ian, says she enjoyed good health, even recovering quickly from a heart operation in her late 70s.
But soon afterwards, Vera began experiencing minor chest pains and Ian says she quickly became ‘very ill and frail. Doctors found that fluid had started to build up around one of her lungs and, following a fall, was diagnosed with mesothelioma.
In April 2018, a year after she had been first diagnosed, she passed away.
A coroner recorded a conclusion of death by industrial disease. Ian says those words still haunt him today.
Six months after Vera’s death, Ian was encouraged to look into the reasons behind his mum’s death.
“It wasn’t something I really wanted to do to begin with, mum had gone and nothing would bring her back or change anything,” he explains. “But my family sold me on the idea that if we don’t fight these cases then no one else benefits down the line and those responsible can still carry on.
“I believe my mum has been robbed of a few years of good health and that’s something I’ve had to carry with me.”
He contacted Leigh Day, a firm of solicitors, to investigate. Ian said: “We’ve since found out that the jacks in the wall, where they slide the jack plug in and out to connect the headsets to the caller, were lined with asbestos.” Louisa Saville, asbestos claims solicitor at Leigh Day, said: “Unfortunately, we were unable to get direct evidence from Vera about her work and how it is believed that she came into contact with asbestos.
“We are appealing for information from people who may have worked at the exchange at a similar time to Vera or that did the same job.”
Anyone who has information can contact Louisa on 0161 393 3530 or lsaville@leighday.co.uk