The family of a former Lincolnshire lagger are appealing for information as they continue the legal claim he began before he died from lung cancer caused by asbestos exposure.
George Knight, from Immingham, spent his working life as a lagger and thermal insulation engineer. For more than 30 years, he travelled to industrial sites across Lincolnshire and the Humber, helping to install, maintain and remove industrial insulation.
He worked for CGB Humbertherme Ltd from 1977 until retiring in 2008. During that time, his work took him to some of the region's biggest industrial sites, including Scunthorpe Steelworks and Humber Refinery.
His world changed in 2023 when he discovered a lump on his chest. After being referred to Grimsby Hospital for further investigations, he was diagnosed with lung cancer.
As his health deteriorated, George instructed Thompsons Solicitors to investigate the circumstances of his exposure. Sadly, he died in March 2024, aged 79, before his case could be concluded, but his daughters, Tracey and Julie, are now continuing the legal claim on his behalf.
They are appealing for anyone who worked alongside him to come forward with information that could assist.
Before his death, he also told his legal team, led by Paul Corrin from the Leeds’ Asbestos team at Thompsons Solicitors, that he was aware of several former colleagues who had developed asbestos-related diseases over the years.
"Lung Cancer is a devastating disease that can take decades to develop, meaning many families are only faced with a diagnosis long after the original asbestos exposure took place, and often after they have already lost friends and former colleagues to the same illness,” Paul explained.
"After his diagnosis, George instructed us to pursue a legal claim after telling us about the regular contact he had with asbestos throughout his career. Sadly, he never lived to see that claim concluded.
"His family are now continuing what their dad started, and we are determined to help them secure the justice he was seeking.
"We know George regularly came into contact with asbestos during his day-to-day duties. We are now keen to hear from anyone who worked alongside him, particularly during the 1970s and 1980s, who can provide further insight into the conditions he experienced and the work he carried out”
Paul added: "The latest Health and Safety Executive figures show that asbestos-related diseases continue to claim thousands of lives every year. Behind every one of those figures is a family still living with the consequences of workplace asbestos exposure many decades later."
Anyone who worked alongside George at CGB Humbertherme Ltd is asked to contact Paul Corrin at Thompsons Solicitors on 0113 367 7423 or by email at PaulCorrin@thompsons.law.