A father who has been diagnosed with lung cancer after being exposed to asbestos in the 1970s is appealing for old work colleagues to come forward to help his case.
Shaun Harvey, 58 of Howarth Close, Sidmouth, was told he had the disease in January this year after an eight week period of coughing up blood.
He has had an operation at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital to remove his left lung and is now waiting to start a three month course of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Shaun and his wife Julie have been devastated at the news of his diagnosis. He has a stepson, Joel, and daughter, Fern and a grandson called Ryan aged 4.
At the time of the diagnosis he was still working as a plumber in Sidmouth.
He said: "I have been absolutely devastated at the diagnosis and my life has been completely put on hold. Before I was able to enjoy my hobbies of walking and swimming. I also loved metal detecting, however, I am now not able to dig the holes.
"Most upsetting of all is that I cannot play with my little grandson like I used to."
Shaun was exposed to asbestos during his apprenticeship with Sidmouth firm, R.W. & J Skinner. From 1971 at the age of 15 he started a four year plumbing apprenticeship with this company. Once he had qualified as a plumber, the company kept him on until 1979.
The company had the maintenance and repair contract with a local hotel and Shaun said he can remember spending a lot of time down in the boiler house of that hotel where he came across asbestos lagged pipework and boilers. He also had to rip out the old bathrooms in the hotel, where he came across asbestos rope used on the lead pipes.
He is now appealing for witnesses to come forward who may have worked for R.W. & J Skinner in the 70's and 80's (or even later) and may have come across asbestos during their work.
Helen Grady, Specialist Asbestos Solicitor of Thrings in Plymouth, who is dealing with his case, said: "This is a very sad case, especially as it would appear that Shaun was exposed to asbestos dust in the 1970's when the dangers were well known.
"He was not advised of the dangers of working with asbestos. He was not provided with any protective clothing and had no idea that he was working in an unsafe environment.
"If anyone can remember working alongside Shaun, or worked for the company when they were also exposed to asbestos dust then they should please come forward to help with this case.
"It is particularly sad as before the diagnosis Shaun was very fit and healthy. He assumed that he had many more working years ahead of him. He is now not able to work and has a very limited or no entitlement to state benefits. A civil claim for loss of future earnings is therefore very important to Shaun and his family and this would be against the insurers for R.W. & J Skinner.
"Therefore if anyone has any information for the insurers for this company then they should also come forward."
Contact Helen Grady on 0800 884 0555.
