Former Barrow shipyard worker dies from mesothelioma aged 82

A woman has instructed specialist lawyers Irwin Mitchell to investigate the cause of her fathers death from asbestos.

The post mortem concluded that the former shipyard worker died from asbestos related cancer, mesothelioma.

John Michelbach, from Thornton-Cleveleys in Lancashire, had worked for Vickers Armstrong at their shipyard in Barrow from the 1950’s to circa 1962.

He worked there as a boiler maker and plater.

John died suddenly in February 2018 at age 82 with no warning signs at all.

His daughter Donna wants lawyers to investigate where exactly her father was exposed to asbestos.

Following on from working at the shipyard, John ended up working for numerous other companies.

As such, Donna’s legal team are very keen to speak to any of his former colleagues.

The other places he worked at are:-

– N S M Construction Limited where John was employed between 1963 and 1964.

– The Merchant Navy. John was employed as a baker between 1964 and 1966 and worked for firms including The Union Castle Mail Steamship Co Limited, Scottish Ore Carriers Limited and Shaw Savill & Albion Co Limited.

– D N Barnes Limited (believed to have later become Enterprise Homes (Scotland) Limited then Bradley Homes (Scotland) Limited and then Pendle Homes). John worked as General Manager at the firm between 1966 and 1976.

John’s daughter speaks out about his death

John’s 54 year old daughter, Donna, also from Thornton-Cleveleys, said of her father’s death, “I was devastated when we lost dad in February last year. It was so unexpected. He was still so active, practically running the family bakery on his own, working six days a week up until Christmas the year before, just two months before he died.”

“Only finding out after his death that he was suffering from mesothelioma was frustrating, then finding out that it may have been caused by exposure to asbestos during his working life made me angry.”

“His illness took hold so quickly and there was no time to get answers or justice for him while he was alive. I am determined to get justice for him now.”

In July of this year, an inquest held at Blackpool Coroner’s Court concluded that John had indeed died from an industrial disease.

Industrial disease lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, Emma Tordoff, said, “Unfortunately, we often see cases like John’s where victims were unaware that they were battling asbestos related lung cancer until the very end of their lives.”

“I urge John’s former colleagues who worked with him at any of his various employers to come forward with any details of the working conditions John endured during his employment.”

If you or anyone you know may have useful information that could help the case, please contact Sonia Akram on 0191 279 0095 or email Sonia.Akram@irwinmitchell.com.

 

Source of article:-  www.nwemail.co.uk/The-daughter-of-a-former-Barrow-shipyard-worker-appeals-for-help-to-trackdown-where-her-father-was-exposed-to-asbestos-c8a23f27-8ecc-4862-a69f-e1e88a6b4b4f-ds

 

So make sure you contact our Armco office to arrange an asbestos survey, before it’s too late! 

Whether you need an asbestos management survey, or a refurbishment/ demolition survey, contact us on 0161 763 3727 or by visiting https://www.armco.org.uk/

Finally, for all your asbestos training needs call 0161 761 4424 or visit https://www.armcoasbestostraining.co.uk/to book an asbestos awareness training course.

 

Did you enjoy reading our article?  Then check out our other posts below:-

 

Published Apr 10, 2018