Builder’s cancer death is linked to his ‘known exposure to asbestos’

A DERBY builder died of cancer after “likely being exposed to asbestos during his job”, an inquest heard.

David Kerry, 66, from Littleover, died at Royal Derby Hospital on August 21.

Peter Nieto, area coroner for Derby and Derbyshire, held the inquest on Wednesday at Derby Coroner’s Court.

A post-mortem examination provided by Dr Atwal at Royal Derby Hospital described the instances surrounding Mr Kerry’s diagnosis.

Dr Atwal’s statement said: “In my opinion, the death of David Kerry was due to malignant pleural mesothelioma.

“In the vast majority of mesothelioma cases, 70 to 80 per cent of cases are due to exposure to asbestos.

“The occupational history indicates a high likelihood of prior occupational exposure to asbestos.

“The death was therefore, on the balance of probabilities, due to industrial disease.”

Mr Kerry was diagnosed with mesothelioma in February 2020.

He then underwent chemotherapy and treatment in an attempt to prevent the spread of the disease, which was unsuccessful.

He died in August this year, after being re-admitted to hospital with a shortness of breath and hypotension.

Coroner Peter Nieto added that it was likely Mr Kerry had been exposed to asbestos during one of his building jobs in the 1980s.

He said: “Mr Kerry was diagnosed with a mesothelioma on February 25, 2020 after a CT scan showed a malignant right pleural effusion.

“He used to work as a builder and suffered a known exposure to asbestos. The inescapable fact is Mr Kerry was diagnosed with mesothelioma which was advanced and was the reason for his final admission to the hospital.

“Sadly, the treatment that he received was not effective and he was obviously deteriorating.”

Mr Kerry is survived by his wife Debra who also attended the inquest.