Kenny Nicoll, 69, who ran The Barn pub in Barnhill for more than a decade, died at home in Monifieth in March after being diagnosed with cancer related to an exposure to asbestos.
Partner Gillian Coulston, 68, is now pursuing legal action against representatives of AG Robb Caledon Shipbuilders Ltd.
She believes that Kenny’s death is linked to him working with asbestos-laden boilers when he was working with the firm aged 19.
Gillian explained that Kenny had asked her on his deathbed to see the case through. She said:
“I promised him that I would continue the fight. He told me that he wanted me to carry on. He wanted me to take it forward and make sure that the kids and the grandchildren were OK.
A lot of people don’t realise just how quickly it comes on. Kenny was diagnosed 50 years after he had been working with the boilers.”
Gillian has launched lawsuit against the firm, with the claim expected to be worth more than £100,000.
Digby Brown is pursuing the action and a spokesman for the law firm said:
“This is a case which shows the real and tragic consequences of asbestos exposure at work being felt by families today.
Asbestos is not a relic of an industrial past but something that affects people in Tayside and elsewhere now.
It is important that individuals and families affected in this way access specialist support services and legal advice.
As this case is an ongoing matter, it would not be appropriate for us to comment further at this stage.”
Asbestos Action Tayside, a charity based in Dundee, supported Kenny in the early stages following his diagnosis.
John Fearn, manager of the organisation, said:
“It is important that we continue to fight for the rights of victims and their families to obtain some form of justice.
Their plight was through no fault of their own and yet they and their families will continue to suffer for years to come. This disease has not yet peaked with forecasts now looking at the mid-2020s and beyond.”
Representatives for the shipbuilders declined to comment.