Muriel Jeffrey died in June 2018 after developing mesothelioma
The family of a Sunderland woman who died after developing an asbestos-related cancer is urging her ex-colleagues at the Austin and Pickersgill shipyard to come forward with information about her working conditions.
Muriel Jeffrey died in June 2018, aged 85, within months of being diagnosed with the asbestos disease, mesothelioma.
She worked at the Austin and Pickersgill shipyard on the River Wear from 1970 to 1984, as a secretary and later personal assistant. Labourers from the ships would often visit her office to speak with Muriel and her managers.
Muriel Jeffrey during the time she worked at Austin and Pickersgill
At one point during her employment, Muriel recollected how large sheds near her office were demolished, causing a significant amount of dust to settle on her desk.
Now, her family is searching for her former colleagues in the hope they can help ascertain how she was exposed to asbestos at the yard and help them make a compensation claim.
“This illness completely changed my aunt’s life,” said her nephew, Bryan Glasper. “She was an active and social member of the community, and never failed to miss the local choir, but within months of diagnosis this all came to a stop.
“My aunt was a familiar face for hundreds of tradesmen throughout her years at Austin and Pickersgill, as she would regularly speak with them if they had issues to raise with senior management. I’m hoping this will mean there is someone out there who can help our family with its search and ensure we get answers about how she became so ill.”
Tim Hayward, of Thompsons Solicitors, added: “There’s a well-known link between the shipbuilding industry and asbestos, so we’re keen to investigate whether it was Muriel’s work at the shipyard that caused her to develop this disease.
“If anyone has more information about the use of asbestos at the shipyard, please call me on 0191 269 0623 or email me on timhayward@thompsons.law.co.uk.”
Asbestos disease diagnosis? Talk to us for advice and support on how to secure compensation.
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, we can support you with advice on how to make a claim.
The process will be explained in plain English and with no obligation – our priority is to provide you with the best, expert advice on whether you have a valid case for compensation, and to signpost you to further sources of support.
There are strict time limits applied to making a claim – usually three years from the date of diagnosis. It doesn’t matter if the exposure to asbestos took place – as it often does – decades ago, the three year time limit applies to the date of knowledge of diagnosis or date of death.
For further information, visit our How to Make A Compensation Claim page.