Dave Bridgeman’s life was fully turned the other way up when he went to the physician complaining of shortness of breath.
Strolling round his residence close to Newton Abbot in Devon began to turn out to be a battle for the 72-year-old, so Dave – who used to stay in Essex – went to his physician and was given some grave information.
He was identified with mesothelioma, a type of most cancers attributable to asbestos poisoning.
On the time of his analysis, Dave had by no means even heard of the situation.
“Nothing ready me for the information I had most cancers,” stated Dave, who’s now totally supported at residence by his spouse Barbara, 73.
“I’d not even heard of mesothelioma earlier than my analysis.
Dave Bridgeman again in 1974
(Picture: Irwin Mitchell LLP)
“Earlier than my analysis, I used to be fairly lively for my age and was having fun with my retirement in our lovely environment.
“I’m now very restricted in what I can do bodily and I’m extra reliant on Barbara and my household for help.
“Even strolling spherical the home is a battle.”
Mesothelioma is triggered when somebody is uncovered to asbestos, usually many years earlier than a proper analysis.
Within the Seventies, Dave labored on the Shell Haven Oil Refinery in Corringham, Essex, which is now residence to the London Gateway Port.
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Throughout his time there he was concerned in a clean-up operation after a hearth within the Crude Distillation Unit Two.
There, he stated he was lined in asbestos mud, with metal girders “twisted like paperclips” from the hearth.
He now desires to listen to from anybody who might be able to assist supply info as as to whether the situations there led to his most cancers in the present day.
Dave stated: “I keep in mind working on the oil refinery and the way a lot of a large number it was.
“There was particles all over the place and big ten foot metal girders had been mangled and twisted like paperclips due to the warmth of the hearth.
The Shell Haven Oil Refinery, pictured in 1999, the yr it closed.
(Picture: Terry Joyce)
“There was an ideal degree of destruction and dirt simply appeared to hold within the air. It was actually onerous and soiled work.
Dave added: “Due to my analysis I now have so many questions on what triggered my sickness.
“I’m not sure as to what the long run will carry for me and my household however I really feel that I not less than deserve solutions to my issues.
“I’d be so grateful to anybody who got here ahead with any particulars.”
Dave was primarily based on the website for roughly six to eight months in between 1973 and 1974, then employed by a building firm known as John Laing Building Ltd.
He’s now wanting into authorized motion with legal professionals Irwin Mitchell.
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“Mesothelioma is a horrible illness, the horrible results of which frequently solely turn out to be obvious a few years after asbestos publicity has taken place,” stated Virginia Chalmers, the asbestos-related illness skilled on the agency.
“Dave and his household are devastated by his analysis and what it means for them.
“Understandably they’ve quite a lot of questions on how his asbestos publicity happened.”
Virginia added: “Any details about working situations Dave confronted while employed by John Laing and primarily based at Shell Haven Oil Refinery might make all of the distinction in serving to the household.”
John Laing Building Ltd failed to produce a full remark in time for publication.
They did clarify that the manufacturing facility in query was bought off by John Laing Ltd greater than 20 years in the past, and that they take all asbestos associated queries significantly.
In case you may help Dave’s enquiries, contact Virginia Chalmers at Irwin Mitchell on 0117 926 1514.
