Injury claim news

Asbestos dust caused woman's industrial illness

A woman who washed her father clothes after he spent time working with asbestos materials has died from the industrial illness mesothelioma.

June Simpson, 68, of Hope Street, Millom, was a much loved member of the community and worked with the town's branch of the Royal British Legion.

As a youngster, June would often wash her father's work overalls after he returned home from working at the Barrow Shipyard.

It is believed that this is when June would have breathed in the asbestos particles that lead to her death from the industrial illness.

Her father and mother both died from mesothelioma after having come into contact with asbestos.

A post-mortem following her death on 27th August found that there were asbestos particles on her lungs.

At a recent inquest her husband, Mr Thompson, said that his wife served as the secretary for the Royal British Legion between 1989 and 2003. He added that his wife loved the outdoors and enjoys climbing.

According to Mr Thompson, June was diagnosed with mesothelioma after they both developed colds last year. He said that although he recovered, she continued to suffer and during a visit to the Furness General Hospital she was diagnosed with the asbestos-related disease.

West Cumbria coroner, Mr John Taylor, said, "There are cases where very similar or identical situations have happened.

"The asbestos dust would fly off and they would inhale it"

Mr Taylor's final recording into the industrial illness said, "She died of mesothelioma, due to an exposure to asbestos."