Welsh families raise awareness of asbestos risks ahead of 23rd anniversary of ban

As the UK marks the 23rd anniversary of the ban on the use and sale of asbestos (Thursday 24 November), two Welsh families are raising awareness of its dangers to the public following tragic asbestos disease diagnoses.

Llanelli woman Gayna Davies, 82, and the family of Fforestfach man Dennis McCarthy – who was 76 when he died after being diagnosed with mesothelioma – are urging former colleagues to come forward and help with their compensation claims.

This comes 23 years after the use of asbestos was banned in the UK (24 November 1999). Despite this, asbestos is still present in 1.5 million of public buildings in the UK. A total of 2,544 mesothelioma deaths were recorded in Great Britain in 2020, with mesothelioma death rates in Wales increasing more rapidly over the period than for Great Britain as a whole^[1].

Ms Davies, who was diagnosed with mesothelioma in December 2021, worked for Llanelli construction company Parker Brothers between 1956 and 1969 in an office-based role. She believes she was likely exposed to asbestos dust which was present on the clothes of her colleagues, who would visit her office regularly, as well as when travelling with colleagues in company-owned vehicles.

Ms Davies is now hoping her former colleagues can come forward and provide information on the types of products being used on site by her employer.

Ms Davies said: “Being diagnosed with mesothelioma has had an incredibly debilitating effect on my health. What were once simple tasks, like walking upstairs or going for short walks outside, now leave me breathless.

“I also have a feeling of being unable to clear my throat, and so I avoid a lot of food which I’m frightened will make this worse. I have lost my appetite, only being able to eat small amounts of food at any one time.

“I have agreed to take part in a mesothelioma trial in the hope of new information on how to treat the disease, which might help others in the future, but I want to understand how I came to develop this illness in the first place.

“I would be very grateful if any of my former colleagues can come forward with any information about asbestos use on Parker Bros contracts.”

Meanwhile, the family of Mr McCarthy are also seeking legal support following his death two years ago.

He worked for several building contractors in the Swansea area from the late 1970s to early 1990s. As part of his duties, his family believe that he may have come into contact with materials contaminated with asbestos, which may have led to his terminal cancer diagnosis.

In light of this, Mr McCarthy’s family is seeking answers as to where and when he came into contact with the asbestos. His passing has had a devastating impact on his loved ones, especially his three children.

Mr McCarthy’s daughter, Helen, said: “Dad was unaware of his condition and spent many weeks in hospital. He was sent home with antibiotics and six days later was taken back into hospital and never came out, as he died on the ward.

“The family was left totally devastated and heartbroken as we did not know dad’s condition was life-threatening. Due to the COVID 19 pandemic we couldn’t say goodbye, meaning dad passed away on his own, which is heart-wrenching.”

Both Ms Davies and the family of Mr McCarthy have turned to J.M Parsons, which is owned by Thompsons Solicitors, for legal support. Thompsons has paved the way for asbestos litigation in the UK ever since it brought about the first successful asbestos disease claim to the House of Lords in 1972, 50 years ago.

Amanda Jones, of J.M. Parsons, said: “Just because asbestos use was banned in 1999, the impact of the substance is far from a thing of the past. Those responsible need to increase their efforts for the proper identification, containment and removal of all asbestos in buildings across the UK.”

Anyone with information to support Ms Davies’ claim should contact Amanda Jones at J.M. Parsons and Co Solicitors on 01554 779940, or via email at amanda@jmplaw.co.uk.

Meanwhile, if you are able to support Mr McCarthy’s claim you should contact Emily Thornton at J.M. Parsons and Co Solicitors on 01554779940, or via email at emilythornton@thompsons.law.co.uk.

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[1] [1] https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/causdis/mesothelioma/mesoarea.pdf