Leigh Day support Wrexham woman in fight over factory asbestos claim

A woman has vowed to continue a legal battle launched by her father, who died of cancer before his claim against a former cable giant came to court.

David Turner, of Bangor-on Dee, Wrexham, died of mesothelioma – an asbestos-related cancer – on February 25 this year.

His death at the age of 83 came just days after his claim was served on Balfour Beatty PLC, successors in title to British Insulated Callendar Cables (BICC) Ltd, who were Mr Turner’s former employers.

Mr Turner had claimed the cancer could be related to his time working at the BICC factory in Wrexham. Now his daughter Michele Turner has appealed for witnesses to come forward who could help the case.

According to law firm Leigh Day, who had acted for Mr Turner and are now acting for Michele, Balfour Beatty deny any responsibility. Mr Turner worked for BICC Ltd from 1971 until his retirement in 1992.

In March 2015, David felt a pain in his chest and a swelling to his back and was referred to hospital for further investigations. He was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma and his health soon deteriorated, requiring Michelle to move in with him to provide care.

Although his condition improved following a course of palliative radiotherapy, it began to deteriorate again at the end of last year.

Before his death, Mr Turner instructed Leigh Day to investigate his allegations that, while working in the factory, he was exposed to asbestos insulation on the pipework and equipment and through the air vents. Michele said:

“A year before his death, my father was a fit and active man, but the cancer quickly attacked his health and left him weak and unable to care for himself.

I would ask anyone with information that can help determine why and how this happened to my father to please come forward and help us with this case.”

Speaking about the pain of losing her father, Michele said:

“My dad was very fit and active and loved walking. It was just terrible sitting, waiting and watching your dad die. I realised that this condition was endemic.

The fear of this happening to somebody else is too awful to contemplate, and we wanted to try and do something to stop it happening again to someone.”

Leigh Day lawyer Helen Ashton has been instructed on behalf of Michele to take forward her father’s claim. Ms Ashton said:

“We are appealing to anyone who has any information about the presence of asbestos in the BICC Ltd factory in Wrexham between 1971 and 1992 to get in contact with us.”

A Balfour Beatty spokesman said:

“As the case is ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment.”