Member Article

Daughter of Tyneside man killed by asbestos exposure seeks his former colleagues for help to secure justice

The daughter of a South Tyneside man who died after exposure to asbestos is hoping her father’s former colleagues can help provide crucial evidence in a legal claim for compensation.

Mr Tony Sambridge died with asbestos-related malignant Mesothelioma on 12 June 2020 at South Tyneside District Hospital. He had been suffering from a long-term breathing problem and was diagnosed with Mesothelioma shortly before his death.

It is believed that Mr Sambridge was exposed to asbestos whilst working as a joiner in Hebburn and throughout South Tyneside from around 1946 to 1979.

Now his daughter has turned to Thompson and Co Solicitors, an industrial illness specialist in Sunderland, to pursue a legal claim against his former employers.

Mark Thompson, of Thompson and Co, said Miss Sambridge’s legal claim could be helped further if some of Mr Sambridge’s former colleagues came forward to confirm the working conditions with these employers, the presence of asbestos or details about what Mr Sambridge did while working with the employers.

He said: “Mr Sambridge worked as a joiner throughout his 30-year career, working for a number of employers in a variety of locations. We believe it was in one or more of these locations that he was exposed to the asbestos that tragically killed him.

“These locations included shipyards and factories in Hebburn, and also quarries in Pelaw, Springwell, Durham and Houghton le Spring.

“We have information about the regular asbestos exposure he encountered while working at Reyrolle’s factory, which made electrical switchgear for industry. Any supporting evidence of this asbestos exposure or exposure at any of the other known employers would be very valuable for this claim.”

The employers of particular interest to the legal claim are:

• Approx 1946 to Approx 1950s - Palmers Shipyard in Hebburn / Swan Hunters • 1962/63 - George Cohen & Sons Limited – scrap merchants • 1962/63 - Edmond Nuttall & Sons & Co (London) Ltd – demolition work on the Tyne Tynnel • 1962/63 to 1967/68 - A Reyrolle & Company Limited – factory making electrical switchgear for industry • 1967/68 to 1968/69 and 1969/70 to 1975/76 - Jones Bros (Pelaw) Limited / Natural Stone Quarries Ltd • 1975 to 1979 - JT Barnes – quarry

“We are hoping to speak to anybody who may have worked with Mr Sambridge at any point in his career and who may be able to confirm where and when asbestos exposure is likely to have taken place,” added Mr Thompson.

“Although it was some time ago, Mr Sambridge was well-known in the area so we are optimistic that people will remember working with him and will be able to help.”

Anybody who may be able to provide information to help Miss Sambridge’s claim can help by contacting Mark Thompson at Thompson & Co Solicitors, on 0191 565 6290 or by emailing mthompson@thompsonandco-solicitors.co.uk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Emma Thompson .