As one of the leading providers of asbestos consultancy and asbestos surveying services, amongst others, here at Salvum, we have come across many stories in the past of people suffering from asbestos-related diseases – however, the following case is an unusual one.
Trevor Jones, 66, from Brechin in Scotland, is currently suffering from mesothelioma, a disease that asbestos sufferers and their families are all too familiar with. This form of cancer, which normally affects the lining of the lungs, is caused by breathing in asbestos fibres. In Trevor’s case, however, the mesothelioma affects the lining of his stomach, which occurs in only 10% of cases.
This led lawyers to believe that he may have developed the disease due to ingesting airborne asbestos fibres while eating his lunch as an engineer – he previously worked in communications alongside cable layers, who would regularly drill through walls lined with asbestos.
“We were never warned”
The Angus grandfather was diagnosed with the debilitating disease after a routine bowel screening test – he had no idea about the lethal cancer.
The survival rates for mesothelioma are rather grim – with only 40% of patients surviving a year after their diagnosis. A great number of cases are coming to light only in the last few years due to the disease’s tendency to lie dormant and undetected for decades, just as in Trevor’s case.
Trevor remembered: “I would sit in my work clothes eating sandwiches at my desk or in the canteen… if any asbestos fell on your clothes, you brushed it off casually with your hands not knowing the danger… we were never warned.”
He is now working with a solicitor to investigate if the cause of the disease is as suspected – the microscopic fibres making their way into his food.
Stephen Irvine, from Morisons Solicitors, added: “We have dealt with a number of these cases and the possibility of fibres getting into lunch boxes is one aspect we are looking at… in Trevor’s case, we are doing everything we can to help him and his family.”
Trevor plans to make the most of his remaining time, including by travelling around the UK while he is still able.
Contact Salvum about asbestos consultancy services
Many more cases of mesothelioma have come to light in the last few months, and here at Salvum, our asbestos experts are dedicated to doing everything possible to prevent more arising in the future. Feel free to get in touch to find out more about our industry-leading asbestos consultancy services.
